Ezekiel 33:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Say {H559} thou thus unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; As I live {H2416}, surely they that are in the wastes {H2723} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}, and him that is in the open {H6440} field {H7704} will I give {H5414} to the beasts {H2416} to be devoured {H398}, and they that be in the forts {H4679} and in the caves {H4631} shall die {H4191} of the pestilence {H1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Tell them that Adonai ELOHIM swears, 'As I live, those living in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the countryside I will give to the wild animals to eat, and those in the fortresses and caves will die of the plague.

Berean Standard Bible

Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

American Standard Version

Thus shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: As I live, surely they that are in the waste places 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 are in the strongholds and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 33:27 pronounces a severe and inescapable judgment from the Lord GOD upon the unrepentant remnant remaining in the land of Judah after Jerusalem's fall. Despite their false sense of security and presumptuous claims to the land, God declares with a solemn oath that no hiding place—neither the desolate wilderness, the open fields, nor fortified strongholds and caves—will offer refuge from the comprehensive and devastating consequences of their persistent rebellion, as they will face death by sword, wild beasts, and pestilence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal section of Ezekiel's prophecy, specifically following the news of Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC reaching the exiles in Babylon (Ezekiel 33:21-22). This event marks a significant shift in Ezekiel's ministry from primarily prophesying judgment to offering hope and instruction for the future. However, before the full embrace of restoration, Ezekiel must address the misguided confidence of those who remained in Judah. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 33:23-26) highlight their presumptuous claim to the land based on their lineage ("Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance"), despite their idolatry and violence. Verse 27 directly refutes this false security, demonstrating that their unrepentant sin nullified any claim to divine protection or inheritance. It underscores the principle that possession of the land was conditional upon obedience to God's covenant, a theme woven throughout the Torah and prophetic literature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem. While many had been exiled, a significant population, primarily the poor and those deemed less threatening, were left behind by Nebuchadnezzar. These remaining inhabitants, often referred to as the "remnant," held onto the belief that their presence in the land, or their status as Abraham's descendants, guaranteed their security and future prosperity. This belief was deeply ingrained in Israelite thought, where the land was seen as an eternal inheritance. However, their continued practice of idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption, as detailed throughout Ezekiel's earlier prophecies, violated the very covenant that granted them the land. Culturally, the mention of "wastes," "open field," "forts," and "caves" reflects the varied landscapes and defensive strategies of ancient Judah, from agricultural areas to natural hiding places and man-made strongholds, emphasizing that no physical location could shield them from divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 33:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it reiterates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to execute justice upon persistent sin, particularly covenant unfaithfulness. The solemn divine oath, "As I live," underscores the absolute certainty and immutability of this judgment, leaving no room for doubt or escape. Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of False Security**, dismantling the notion that lineage or physical location could provide immunity from God's wrath when accompanied by rebellion. This directly challenges the presumption of the remnant, echoing earlier warnings about the conditional nature of God's promises found in [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings for Obedience, Curses for Disobedience"). Lastly, the verse vividly portrays the **Comprehensive Nature of God's Wrath**, detailing the varied and inescapable forms of death (sword, beasts, pestilence) that would befall the unrepentant, demonstrating that God's judgment would penetrate every aspect of their existence and every corner of the land. This tripartite judgment is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, often referred to as God's "sore judgments," as seen in [Ezekiel 14:21](/ezekiel/14-21 "Ezekiel 14:21 - God's Four Sore Judgments").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Live (Hebrew, _chay'_):** From H2416, meaning "alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing)." In the phrase "As I live," this word forms a powerful divine oath, signifying that God's very existence and life are pledged as a guarantee for the absolute certainty of His declaration. It emphasizes the immutability and reliability of His word, making the ensuing judgment an undeniable reality.
* **Wastes (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** From H2723, meaning "properly, drought, i.e. (by implication) a desolation; decayed place, desolate (place, -tion), destruction, (laid) waste (place)." This term refers to the desolate, ruined areas of Judah, already ravaged by war and depopulation. It signifies places that might seem safe due to their remoteness or lack of strategic importance, yet even there, God's judgment would find its targets, highlighting the pervasive reach of His decree.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** From H1698, meaning "from דָבַר (in the sense of destroying); a pestilence; murrain, pestilence, plague." This word denotes a widespread, often fatal disease or plague, one of the classic instruments of divine judgment in the Old Testament. Its inclusion alongside the sword and wild beasts signifies a comprehensive and inescapable form of destruction, indicating that even those who might evade military conflict or animal attacks would succumb to disease, leaving no avenue for escape.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening clause re-establishes the prophetic authority of Ezekiel and the divine origin of the message. It emphasizes that these are not Ezekiel's words, but the direct, authoritative pronouncement of Yahweh, the sovereign Lord, to the unrepentant remnant.
* **"As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword,":** This phrase introduces a solemn divine oath, "As I live," underscoring the absolute certainty and immutability of the forthcoming judgment. God pledges His very existence as a guarantee. The first group targeted are those in the "wastes" or desolate areas, who will meet their end by the "sword," indicating continued military action or banditry in the depopulated regions.
* **"and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured,":** The second group comprises those in the "open field," likely referring to agricultural areas or unfortified rural regions. Their fate is to be "devoured" by "beasts," signifying the breakdown of order, the proliferation of wild animals, and a gruesome, undignified end, often seen as a specific curse for disobedience.
* **"and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.":** The final group encompasses those who sought refuge in "forts" (fortified strongholds) or "caves" (natural hideouts), believing these places offered security. However, even these seemingly impenetrable locations would not protect them from "pestilence," a widespread disease, demonstrating that no physical sanctuary could shield them from God's comprehensive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 33:27 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of inescapable judgment. The phrase "**As I live**" functions as a **Divine Oath**, a solemn declaration by God Himself, swearing by His own existence to guarantee the absolute certainty and immutability of the prophecy. This oath elevates the pronouncement beyond mere prediction to an unalterable decree. The verse also utilizes **Merism** or **Totality**, by listing three distinct categories of location—"wastes," "open field," and "forts and caves"—to represent all possible places of refuge. This comprehensive enumeration emphasizes that there is no escape or hiding place from God's judgment, covering the entire spectrum of the land and its inhabitants. Furthermore, the specific forms of death—"sword," "beasts," and "pestilence"—constitute a form of **Climactic Enumeration** or **Tripartite Judgment**, representing the classic instruments of divine wrath. This serves to highlight the multifaceted and inescapable nature of the impending doom, leaving no avenue for survival for the unrepentant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 33:27 is a stark reminder of the profound seriousness of covenantal disobedience and the absolute certainty of God's judgment. It underscores the theological truth that God's promises, including the gift of the land, are conditional upon faithfulness. The divine oath, "As I live," elevates this warning to an unassailable decree, demonstrating that God's character demands justice for unrepentant sin. This verse dismantles any false sense of security derived from mere physical presence in the land or ancestral lineage, emphasizing that true security lies only in obedience and repentance. It serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over all creation, His ability to orchestrate judgment through various means, and His unwavering commitment to His word, whether in blessing or in curse.

* [Leviticus 26:25](/leviticus/26-25 "Leviticus 26:25 - God's Judgment by Sword and Pestilence")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Ezekiel 14:21](/ezekiel/14-21 "Ezekiel 14:21 - God's Four Sore Judgments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 33:27, while rooted in a specific historical context, carries timeless spiritual principles for all believers. It serves as a sober reminder that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and unwavering commitment to justice. We are called to take God's word seriously, understanding that persistent unrepentance leads to inevitable consequences. This verse challenges any presumption of security based on external factors—be it religious heritage, church affiliation, or even a sense of moral superiority—if our hearts are not truly yielded to God. Just as the remnant in Judah could not hide from divine judgment in physical strongholds, so too can we not hide from God's scrutiny or the consequences of our choices. The severity of this judgment should not lead to despair, but rather to a profound appreciation for God's patience and the urgent call to genuine repentance and submission to His will, recognizing that His desire is for life, not death, as powerfully articulated in [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance").

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What false senses of security might I be holding onto, rather than fully trusting in God's mercy and obedience?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment, as expressed in "As I live," impact my view of sin and repentance today?**
* **In what ways might I be presuming upon God's grace or patience, rather than actively pursuing righteousness?**

### FAQ
**Who are "they" in Ezekiel 33:27, and why were they being judged so severely?**

Answer: "They" refers to the remnant of Israelites who remained in the land of Judah after the initial Babylonian exiles and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. These individuals, despite witnessing the devastating judgment upon their nation, continued in their rebellion against God, engaging in idolatry, injustice, and violence (as described in [Ezekiel 33:25-26](/ezekiel/33-25 "Ezekiel 33:25-26 - The Sins of the Remnant")). They held a false sense of security, believing that their mere presence in the land or their lineage from Abraham guaranteed their safety and right to the inheritance, even in their disobedience. The severe judgment—by sword, beasts, and pestilence—was God's unwavering response to their persistent unrepentance and their presumption upon His covenant, demonstrating that His promises were conditional upon faithfulness.

**What is the significance of the three forms of judgment mentioned (sword, beasts, pestilence)?**

Answer: The "sword," "beasts," and "pestilence" represent a comprehensive and inescapable array of divine judgments, often referred to in prophetic literature as instruments of God's wrath. The "sword" signifies military conquest, violence, and execution. "Beasts" refers to wild animals, indicating a breakdown of societal order and a gruesome, undignified death, often a specific curse for covenant breaking. "Pestilence" denotes widespread disease or plague. When famine is added, these are known as God's "four sore judgments" (as seen in [Ezekiel 14:21](/ezekiel/14-21 "Ezekiel 14:21 - God's Four Sore Judgments")). Their combined mention in Ezekiel 33:27 emphasizes that no matter where the unrepentant remnant sought refuge—whether in desolate areas, open fields, or fortified hideouts—they would not escape God's all-encompassing judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 33:27, with its stark pronouncement of inescapable judgment for unrepentant sin, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal re-enactment of these specific judgments, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies both divine justice and ultimate salvation. The certainty of God's oath, "As I live," which guarantees judgment for the rebellious, is paradoxically fulfilled in Christ's atoning sacrifice, which offers an escape from that very judgment. Humanity, like the unrepentant remnant, stands condemned by its sin, facing the ultimate "pestilence" of spiritual death and separation from God (cf. [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). Yet, Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the "sword" of divine wrath on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. His resurrection demonstrates God's victory over death and the "beasts" of chaos and evil, offering a new life that triumphs over the consequences of sin. Therefore, while Ezekiel 33:27 warns of inescapable judgment for those who reject God, it simultaneously foreshadows the comprehensive and perfect salvation offered in Christ, where believers find their true and eternal refuge, not in physical forts or caves, but in the finished work of the One who said, "[I am the way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")" (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). Those who are "in Christ" are no longer subject to the condemnation that falls upon the unrepentant, for "[there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")" (cf. [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")).

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

1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Jeremiah 42:22

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

Ezekiel 39:4

Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that [is] with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and [to] the beasts of the field to be devoured.

Isaiah 2:19

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Jeremiah 41:9

Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, [was] it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: [and] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with [them that were] slain.

1 Samuel 22:1

¶ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard [it], they went down thither to him.

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.