Ezekiel 5:16

When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for [their] destruction, [and] which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:

When I shall send {H7971} upon them the evil {H7451} arrows {H2671} of famine {H7458}, which shall be for their destruction {H4889}, and which I will send {H7971} to destroy {H7843} you: and I will increase {H3254} the famine {H7458} upon you, and will break {H7665} your staff {H4294} of bread {H3899}:

I will send upon them the deadly, destructive arrows of famine, which I will send to destroy you. I will make the famine worse for you by cutting off your food supply.

When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food.

when I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. And I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread;

Commentary

Ezekiel 5:16 is a vivid prophetic declaration of God's severe judgment against Jerusalem, specifically detailing the devastating impact of famine. This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel 5, where the prophet uses the symbolic act of cutting and dividing his hair to illustrate the various fates awaiting the inhabitants of Jerusalem due to their widespread idolatry and rebellion against God's covenant.

Context

This verse comes within a passage where God outlines the consequences for Israel's unfaithfulness. The prophet Ezekiel, in exile in Babylon, is given a message to deliver to the remnant in Jerusalem, warning them of impending destruction. The judgments described – sword, famine, pestilence, and dispersion – are a direct result of Jerusalem's defilement of God's sanctuary and disregard for His laws. The severity of the famine is emphasized, being one of the "four sore judgments" mentioned in Ezekiel 14:21.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse explicitly states, "When I shall send upon them," highlighting God's active role in orchestrating these calamities as righteous judgment. This is not random misfortune but a deliberate act from a holy God.
  • Famine as a Weapon: The phrase "evil arrows of famine" personifies famine as a deadly, targeted weapon. The term "arrows" (Hebrew: chitssei) conveys swiftness, precision, and lethal intent, indicating that this famine will be a direct and destructive instrument of God's will.
  • Destruction and Deprivation: The famine is "for their destruction" and will "break your staff of bread." The "staff of bread" (Hebrew: matteh lechem) is a powerful biblical idiom for the basic sustenance of life. To "break" it means to completely cut off the food supply, leading to utter starvation and collapse of society. This echoes warnings found in the Mosaic Law, such as Leviticus 26:26.
  • Escalation of Suffering: "I will increase the famine upon you" indicates a progressive and worsening state of hunger, signifying that the initial hardship will intensify, leading to unimaginable suffering for the people of Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The term "evil arrows" uses the Hebrew word Χ¨ΦΈΧ’ (ra'), which can mean bad, calamitous, or harmful, emphasizing the destructive nature of the famine. The imagery of "arrows" suggests a swift and targeted blow, indicating that this judgment is precise and unavoidable. The phrase "break your staff of bread" is a strong metaphor found throughout scripture, universally understood as the complete removal of all means of sustenance, ensuring starvation.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 5:16 serves as a stark reminder of God's justice and sovereignty over all creation, including natural elements. It underscores the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God, demonstrating that disobedience has severe consequences. For believers today, this passage highlights the importance of repentance, faithfulness, and living in obedience to God's Word. It also reminds us that while God is merciful, He is also righteous and will not tolerate persistent unfaithfulness. Ultimately, it points to the need for humanity to humble itself before God and seek His grace, which is abundantly available through Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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 4:16

    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

  • Deuteronomy 32:23

    I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:24

    [They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

  • 2 Kings 6:25

    And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five [pieces] of silver.

  • Psalms 91:5

    Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;

  • Psalms 91:7

    A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.

  • Lamentations 3:12

    He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.
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