Ezekiel 12:16

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

But I will leave {H3498} a few {H4557} men {H582} of them from the sword {H2719}, from the famine {H7458}, and from the pestilence {H1698}; that they may declare {H5608} all their abominations {H8441} among the heathen {H1471} whither they come {H935}; and they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

But I will spare a few of them from sword, famine and plague; so that they can tell about all their disgusting practices among the nations where they go; thus they too will know that I am ADONAI.'"

But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.

This verse from Ezekiel comes amidst prophecies detailing God's impending severe judgment upon Jerusalem and the people of Judah, leading to the Babylonian exile.

Historical and Cultural Context

Ezekiel chapter 12 vividly portrays the certainty of the coming destruction and exile, using symbolic actions like Ezekiel digging through a wall and carrying baggage out like an exile. The people were complacent and disbelieving of the prophets' warnings. Verse 16 serves as a stark contrast to the widespread death and destruction predicted by the sword, famine, and pestilence mentioned earlier in the chapter and throughout prophecies concerning the siege of Jerusalem. It highlights a specific purpose for the survival of a small group.

Key Themes

  • Remnant: God's preservation of a small group even in the midst of devastating judgment. This echoes a theme found throughout the Old Testament.
  • Judgment and Mercy: The verse emphasizes the severity of the judgment (sword, famine, pestilence) but also God's sovereign decision to show mercy by preserving a few.
  • Witness and Declaration: The preserved remnant is not saved just for their own sake, but to declare God's justice and the reasons for the judgment (the people's "abominations") to the pagan nations among whom they are scattered.
  • Knowing God: A recurring theme in Ezekiel, the judgment serves the ultimate purpose that both the remnant and the surrounding nations "shall know that I [am] the LORD." This knowledge comes through witnessing God's powerful actions, both in judgment and preservation.

Linguistic Insights

The word "abominations" translates the Hebrew term to'ebah, which frequently refers to idolatry, ritual impurity, and other practices detestable to God, often detailed in the law and condemned by the prophets. The phrase "they shall know that I [am] the LORD" (Hebrew: w'yad'u ki ani YHWH) is a signature phrase in Ezekiel, appearing dozens of times. It signifies the revelation of God's true nature, power, and authority through His actions in history, compelling recognition from both Israel and the nations.

Related Scriptures

The concept of a remnant surviving judgment is found in other prophets, such as Isaiah's prophecy concerning a remnant returning. The specific combination of judgment by sword, famine, and pestilence is a common prophetic motif describing divine punishment for covenant unfaithfulness. The declaration of God's justice and the reasons for His actions among the nations serves His ultimate purpose of being known, as seen in other "know that I am the LORD" passages like Ezekiel 6:7.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even in times of severe consequence for sin, God often preserves a remnant. This remnant has a purpose: to be witnesses. Their survival and testimony demonstrate God's justice in punishing sin and His power in preserving life. It shows that God uses even difficult circumstances, like exile and scattering, to make Himself known to the world and to reveal the true nature of sin. For believers today, it highlights the importance of understanding the consequences of sin and the role of those who have experienced God's discipline or judgment in testifying to His character and ways.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Ezekiel 14:22

    Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, [both] sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, [even] concerning all that I have brought upon it.
  • Ezekiel 14:23

    And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
  • Ezekiel 6:8

    ¶ Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have [some] that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.
  • Ezekiel 6:10

    And they shall know that I [am] the LORD, [and that] I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.
  • Jeremiah 22:8

    And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
  • Jeremiah 22:9

    Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.
  • Jeremiah 4:27

    For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

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