Ezekiel 14:21

KJV

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

KJV (with Strong's)

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; How much more when I send {H7971} my four {H702} sore {H7451} judgments {H8201} upon Jerusalem {H3389}, the sword {H2719}, and the famine {H7458}, and the noisome {H7451} beast {H2416}, and the pestilence {H1698}, to cut off {H3772} from it man {H120} and beast {H929}?

Complete Jewish Bible

For here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: "Even if I inflict my four dreadful judgments on Yerushalayim - sword, famine, wild animals and plagues - to eliminate both its humans and its animals;

Berean Standard Bible

For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast?

American Standard Version

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 14:21 presents a chilling and definitive declaration from the Lord GOD, underscoring the severe and intensified nature of His impending judgment upon Jerusalem. This verse reveals God's sovereign intent to unleash not one, but a devastating combination of four "sore judgments"—the sword, famine, noisome beast, and pestilence—with the explicit and comprehensive purpose of utterly eradicating both human and animal life from the rebellious city. It powerfully communicates the inescapable and total desolation that awaits Jerusalem as a direct consequence of its persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness, highlighting the profound seriousness of divine wrath against sin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 14:21 serves as a climactic and emphatic pronouncement within a chapter primarily dedicated to articulating God's unwavering judgment against the deep-seated idolatry permeating the elders and inhabitants of Jerusalem. The chapter commences with a scene where elders of Israel approach Ezekiel, ostensibly seeking a word from the Lord. However, God immediately exposes their hypocrisy, revealing to the prophet that these men have "set up their idols in their heart" [Ezekiel 14:3](/ezekiel/14-3 "Ezekiel 14:3 - Idols in the Heart") and are therefore unfit to inquire of Him. God declares His intention to answer them according to their idolatry, not their feigned piety, and to "set My face against that man" [Ezekiel 14:8](/ezekiel/14-8 "Ezekiel 14:8 - God's Judgment on Idolatry"). The preceding verses [Ezekiel 14:12-20](/ezekiel/14-12-20 "Ezekiel 14:12-20 - Four Judgments and Righteous Intercessors") introduce the four specific judgments—famine, noisome beasts, sword, and pestilence—individually, and powerfully assert that even the presence of supremely righteous individuals like Noah, Daniel, and Job would be insufficient to save the nation from the decreed punishment, only themselves. Verse 21, with its emphatic rhetorical question, "How much more," consolidates and intensifies this message, presenting the simultaneous deployment of all four judgments as the ultimate, inescapable act of divine retribution, guaranteeing the complete eradication of life from Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during a profoundly tumultuous period in Judah's history, specifically during the Babylonian exile. The first wave of exiles, including Ezekiel himself, had already been deported to Babylon in 597 BC, yet Jerusalem had not yet suffered its final, devastating destruction. The city was under siege or facing imminent threat from the Babylonian empire, and many within Jerusalem, as well as among the exiles, clung to false hopes of a swift deliverance or maintained a misguided belief that God would never permit His holy city to fall. This verse, therefore, speaks directly into a context of profound national crisis, where the people's persistent idolatry, moral corruption, and covenant unfaithfulness had reached a tipping point, provoking God's most severe judgment. The "sword" unequivocally refers to warfare and conquest, primarily by the Babylonians; "famine" was an inevitable and agonizing consequence of prolonged siege warfare; "noisome beast" (or wild animals) would become a terrifying threat in a depopulated and desolate land; and "pestilence" (widespread disease) frequently accompanied war and famine, particularly in unsanitary siege conditions. These four judgments were well-recognized ancient Near Eastern calamities, often invoked in covenant curses (e.g., [Leviticus 26:21-26](/leviticus/26-21-26 "Leviticus 26:21-26 - Covenant Curses for Disobedience") and [Deuteronomy 28:21-22](/deuteronomy/28-21-22 "Deuteronomy 28:21-22 - Curses for Disobedience")) and prophetic warnings (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - Sword, Famine, and Pestilence")).
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 14:21 powerfully articulates and reinforces several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost among these is the **Severity of Divine Judgment**, emphasizing God's unwavering **Holiness and Justice**. The rhetorical question "How much more" profoundly underscores that if individual judgments or even the presence of the most righteous could not avert disaster, then the combined, simultaneous force of these four specific judgments guarantees total devastation, reflecting God's righteous anger against unrepentant sin. The explicit listing of "the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence" highlights God's absolute **Sovereignty over Calamity**, demonstrating that these are not random occurrences but instruments precisely wielded by Him to fulfill His righteous purposes. Furthermore, the declaration "to cut off from it man and beast" emphasizes the **Comprehensive Nature of Judgment**, signifying a desolation so profound and complete that it affects all forms of life, leaving the city utterly desolate. This serves as a stark and terrifying warning about the inevitable **Consequences of Idolatry and Covenant Disobedience**, illustrating that persistent rebellion, even among God's chosen people, leads to inescapable and severe divine retribution. This aligns with themes found throughout [Ezekiel's prophecies](/ezekiel/6 "Ezekiel 6 - Judgment Against Idolatry") concerning Jerusalem's downfall.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** From H7451, meaning "bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)." In this context, it emphasizes the intense, grievous, and profoundly destructive nature of the judgments God is sending. These are not merely unpleasant events but calamities that inflict deep harm and suffering, reflecting the severity of God's righteous indignation.
* **judgments (Hebrew, _shepheṭ'_):** From H8201, referring to "a sentence, i.e. infliction." This term highlights that God's actions are not arbitrary acts of vengeance but are righteous decrees, a just consequence for Jerusalem's persistent rebellion and idolatry. They are divine verdicts being executed, underscoring the legal and judicial nature of God's dealings with His covenant people.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** From H3772, a primitive root meaning "to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume." This verb conveys a sense of finality, complete eradication, and irreversible severance. In the context of "man and beast," it signifies the total annihilation of life, leaving the city utterly desolate and uninhabited, a stark symbol of the comprehensive and definitive nature of the judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase functions as a solemn, authoritative divine pronouncement. It establishes that what follows is not a human opinion or a mere prophetic warning, but a direct, unalterable word from the sovereign God (YHWH Adonai), guaranteeing its truth, certainty, and inevitability.
* **"How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem,":** This rhetorical question powerfully underscores the intensified and overwhelming nature of the coming judgment. It implies that if individual judgments or even the presence of the most righteous individuals were insufficient to avert disaster, then the simultaneous unleashing of all four, directly by God's hand, will be irresistibly and overwhelmingly destructive. "My four sore judgments" emphasizes God's direct agency and the deliberate, severe nature of His chosen instruments of wrath.
* **"the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence,":** This clause enumerates the specific instruments of divine judgment, forming a comprehensive quartet of calamities. "The sword" represents war, violence, and conquest; "the famine" signifies starvation and lack of provisions, often resulting from siege; "the noisome beast" refers to dangerous wild animals, which would proliferate in a depopulated and desolate land; and "the pestilence" denotes widespread disease and plague. These four are a complete set of calamities designed to bring about utter devastation.
* **"to cut off from it man and beast?":** This final clause states the ultimate purpose and devastating outcome of these combined judgments. "To cut off" implies a complete eradication, a severing of all life. The explicit inclusion of both "man and beast" emphasizes the totality of the destruction, indicating that the judgment will leave Jerusalem utterly desolate, devoid of all living inhabitants, serving as a stark and permanent symbol of God's righteous wrath and the consequences of unrepentant sin.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 14:21 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending and inescapable judgment. The phrase "**Rhetorical Question**" "How much more" serves as a powerful rhetorical device, not designed to elicit an answer but rather to emphasize the undeniable intensification and certainty of the coming devastation. It highlights the logical progression of divine wrath: if lesser judgments or righteous intercession were insufficient, then the combined force will surely achieve its purpose. The verse also utilizes **Enumeration** by explicitly listing the "four sore judgments": "the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence." This precise cataloging creates a sense of dread, thoroughness, and inevitability, detailing the specific means of destruction. Each of these judgments also functions as **Symbolism**, representing not merely physical calamities but also the instruments of God's righteous indignation and the direct consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Finally, the stark declaration "to cut off from it man and beast" employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the absolute and comprehensive nature of the judgment, signifying a complete and utter desolation, leaving no life remaining, thereby emphasizing the severity of God's response to sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 14:21 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice, particularly in the face of persistent rebellion and idolatry among His covenant people. It reveals that divine judgment is not arbitrary or capricious but a righteous and necessary response to sin, an act required to uphold God's character and the integrity of His covenant. The verse underscores the principle that disobedience carries severe and comprehensive consequences, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including natural disasters, which He can wield as precise instruments of His will. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful and gracious, He is also a consuming fire to those who persistently reject His ways, emphasizing the profound seriousness of sin and the inevitability of divine reckoning for unrepentant hearts.

* [Leviticus 26:21-26](/leviticus/26-21-26 "Leviticus 26:21-26 - Covenant Curses for Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:20-22](/deuteronomy/28-20-22 "Deuteronomy 28:20-22 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 15:2](/jeremiah/15-2 "Jeremiah 15:2 - Four Kinds of Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 14:21 stands as a solemn and enduring warning, transcending its specific historical context to speak to the unchanging nature of God's holiness and justice across all generations. It compels us to reflect deeply on the profound seriousness with which God views sin, especially idolatry—anything that usurps His rightful place as supreme in our hearts and lives. In a world often prone to spiritual complacency, or a distorted view of God's mercy that neglects His justice, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that unrepentant rebellion against God has profound and devastating consequences. It challenges us to honestly examine our own lives for "idols of the heart"—whether they be material possessions, relationships, career achievements, personal desires, or even self-righteousness—and to genuinely repent and turn back to the Lord with undivided devotion and obedience. The comprehensive nature of the judgment on Jerusalem should stir within us a healthy, reverent fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but an awe that motivates us to live in humble submission and seek His face above all else. Furthermore, it underscores the urgent necessity of sharing the good news of salvation, knowing the severity of the judgment from which Christ alone delivers us, and the eternal hope He offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols of the heart" might I be harboring that subtly or overtly prevent me from fully submitting to God's will and worshiping Him alone?**
* **How does understanding the severity of God's judgment in Ezekiel 14:21 deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy and the comprehensive salvation offered through Jesus Christ?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a more profound reverence for God's holiness and justice in my daily thoughts, words, and actions?**
* **How should the historical judgment on Jerusalem inform my prayers and actions concerning the spiritual state of my community, nation, or the broader world today?**

### FAQ
**What does "noisome beast" mean in this context?**

Answer: The term "noisome beast" (from the Hebrew _chay raʻ_, literally "evil beast" or "harmful beast") refers to dangerous wild animals. In the context of divine judgment, as seen in [Leviticus 26:22](/leviticus/26-22 "Leviticus 26:22 - Wild Animals as Judgment"), it signifies that God would send predatory animals to further devastate the land and its remaining inhabitants after the ravages of war and famine. This was a recognized curse in ancient Israel, indicating a complete breakdown of societal order and safety. It paints a vivid picture of a land so desolate and depopulated that wild animals reclaim it, posing a terrifying threat to any survivors, adding another layer of comprehensive judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 14:21 vividly portrays God's righteous and comprehensive judgment against sin, its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "four sore judgments" unleashed upon Jerusalem—sword, famine, noisome beast, and pestilence—foreshadow the comprehensive wrath of God against all unrighteousness, a wrath that Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God, fully absorbed and satisfied on the cross. He became the object of divine judgment, bearing the "sword" of justice (as prophesied in [Zechariah 13:7](/zechariah/13-7 "Zechariah 13:7 - The Shepherd Struck")), enduring the spiritual "famine" of separation from God in His cry "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), confronting and triumphing over the "beast" of sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), and taking upon Himself the "pestilence" of humanity's sin and the curse of the Law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ definitively "cut off" the power of sin and death, offering a way for humanity to be delivered from the very judgments described in Ezekiel. For those who believe in Him, the wrath due to them has been fully satisfied in Christ, and they are no longer under condemnation but have passed from spiritual death to eternal life ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passing from Death to Life"); [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Thus, Ezekiel 14:21, though a terrifying prophecy of judgment, ultimately points to the profound necessity and glorious sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work, through whom God's justice is perfectly satisfied and His boundless mercy triumphs for all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 33:27

Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; [As] I live, surely they that [are] in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that [is] in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that [be] in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

Ezekiel 5:17

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].

Ezekiel 14:15

If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts:

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:

Ezekiel 14:13

Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

Ezekiel 14:17

Or [if] I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:

Ezekiel 6:11

¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.