Ezekiel 5:17 Meaning and Explanation
“So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will send multiple plagues—famine, wild animals, pestilence—and warfare to destroy Jerusalem completely.
The Context of Ezekiel 5:17
The chapter concludes with a comprehensive summary of all the judgment instruments: famine, beasts, pestilence, and the sword.
What Does Ezekiel 5:17 Mean?
This verse summarizes all the instruments of judgment mentioned throughout the chapter: famine (starvation), evil beasts (wild animals that multiply when civilization collapses), pestilence (disease), and sword (warfare). Each is sent directly by God; each 'bereaves' the people by taking their children or loved ones. The accumulation of multiple judgments emphasizes that there is no escape; every avenue of death is covered.
The phrase 'blood shall pass through thee' evokes rivers of blood flowing through the streets from warfare and slaughter. This is not metaphorical description but prophetic declaration of the literal carnage that will occur. The final 'I the LORD have spoken it' seals the entire prophecy with God's authority and guarantees its fulfillment. The chapter ends with God's word as the last and decisive voice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 5:17
What does Ezekiel 5:17 mean?
God will send multiple plagues—famine, wild animals, pestilence—and warfare to destroy Jerusalem completely.
What is the context of Ezekiel 5:17?
The chapter concludes with a comprehensive summary of all the judgment instruments: famine, beasts, pestilence, and the sword.