Ezekiel 14:19

Or [if] I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:

Or if I send {H7971} a pestilence {H1698} into that land {H776}, and pour out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon it in blood {H1818}, to cut off {H3772} from it man {H120} and beast {H929}:

"Or if I bring a plague into that land and pour out my fury on it in bloodshed, so that I eliminate both its humans and its animals;

Or if I send a plague into that land and pour out My wrath upon it through bloodshed, cutting off from it both man and beast,

Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my wrath upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast;

Commentary

Ezekiel 14:19 is part of a sobering passage where God outlines the severe judgments He will bring upon a land steeped in idolatry and rebellion. This particular verse specifies pestilence as one of the devastating consequences of persistent sin, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over nations and their fates.

Context of Ezekiel 14:19

Chapter 14 of Ezekiel addresses the issue of false prophets and the deep-seated idolatry among the elders of Israel, even those who came to inquire of the Lord. God declares that He will answer them according to their idolatry, not their inquiry. He then lists four "sore judgments" or "deadly acts" (as some translations put it) that He would send upon a rebellious land: the sword, famine, noisome beasts, and finally, pestilence. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 14:13-18) describe the first three judgments. Verse 19 specifically introduces pestilence, highlighting its destructive power to "cut off from it man and beast," signifying a complete and widespread devastation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's active role in bringing judgment. The phrase "I send a pestilence" underscores His direct control over natural calamities as instruments of His righteous wrath against sin. This demonstrates His ultimate authority over all creation.
  • Pestilence as a Consequence of Sin: Historically, plagues and diseases were often understood in ancient cultures, and specifically in the biblical narrative, as divine punishments for disobedience and idolatry. This verse reinforces that understanding, linking widespread suffering directly to the moral state of the land.
  • Total Devastation: The expression "pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast" conveys the totality and severity of the judgment. "In blood" here points to widespread death and bloodshed, while the cutting off of both "man and beast" signifies that the judgment is comprehensive, leaving nothing untouched. This mirrors other biblical accounts of God's judgments that affect all living things, such as the Great Flood in Genesis.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pestilence" is deber (Χ“ΦΆΦΌΧ‘ΦΆΧ¨), which refers to a plague, epidemic, or murrain (a disease affecting livestock). It is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote a divinely sent affliction, often as a punishment (e.g., Exodus 9:15). The term "fury" is chemah (Χ—Φ΅ΧžΦΈΧ”), indicating intense, burning wrath or hot displeasure, emphasizing the severity of God's righteous anger against unrepentant sin.

Practical Application and Reflection

Ezekiel 14:19 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and justice. While God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just and will not allow unrepentant sin and idolatry to go unaddressed indefinitely. For believers today, this verse encourages:

  • Reverence for God: Understanding the severe consequences of rebellion should cultivate a deep respect and awe for God's character.
  • The Seriousness of Sin: It highlights that sin, particularly idolatry (placing anything before God), has dire consequences not only for individuals but also for communities and nations.
  • Call to Repentance: The underlying message of judgment in Ezekiel, and indeed throughout the prophets, is a call to turn back to God. God's judgments are often intended to bring about repentance and a return to Him, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 18:7-8.

This verse reminds us that while we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, the principles of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin remain eternal truths. We are called to live in obedience and faithfulness, recognizing God's ultimate authority over all things.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 38:22

    And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

  • Ezekiel 7:8

    Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.

  • 2 Samuel 24:15

    So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

  • Jeremiah 14:12

    When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

  • Ezekiel 5:12

    A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

  • 2 Samuel 24:13

    So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days' pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me.