Ezekiel 6:12

He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.

He that is far off {H7350} shall die {H4191} of the pestilence {H1698}; and he that is near {H7138} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}; and he that remaineth {H7604} and is besieged {H5341} shall die {H4191} by the famine {H7458}: thus will I accomplish {H3615} my fury {H2534} upon them.

Those far away will die from the plague, those nearby will fall by the sword, and whoever stays and is besieged will die from famine. This is how I will spend my fury on them.

He who is far off will die by the plague, he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains will die by famine. So I will vent My fury upon them.

He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my wrath upon them.

Ezekiel 6:12 is a stark declaration of God's inescapable judgment against the idolatrous people of Israel. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the impending divine wrath, ensuring that no one would escape the consequences of their rebellion.

Context

This verse is part of a powerful prophetic message in Ezekiel chapter 6, where the prophet Ezekiel, exiled in Babylon, delivers God's word to the remnant in Judah. The primary focus of the chapter is God's fierce judgment against the widespread idolatry practiced on the "high places" and mountains of Israel. Despite repeated warnings, the people had persisted in worshipping false gods, provoking the Lord's anger. This specific verse highlights the various ways judgment would be meted out, leaving no one untouched.

Key Themes

  • Inescapable Judgment: The verse vividly portrays that distance, location, or circumstance would offer no refuge from God's decree. "He that is far off" (those who fled or were in exile) would face pestilence; "he that is near" (those in the land) would fall by the sword; and "he that remaineth and is besieged" (those trapped in cities) would die by famine. This illustrates the absolute certainty and reach of divine justice.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The specific forms of judgment—pestilence, sword, and famine—were common curses associated with breaking the covenant with God, as detailed in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. They represent the severe and comprehensive nature of God's response to Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and worship of other gods.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Fulfillment: The concluding phrase, "thus will I accomplish my fury upon them," underscores God's absolute control and determination to bring His word to pass. It signifies that this judgment is not random but a deliberate act of God's righteous indignation against sin, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fury" here is ḥēmâ (חֵמָה), which conveys intense, burning anger or wrath. It's a strong term indicating God's righteous indignation against the deep-seated spiritual rebellion of His people. The triad of "pestilence" (deber), "sword" (ḥereḇ), and "famine" (rāʿāḇ) is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, representing the most devastating and comprehensive forms of divine punishment, often used interchangeably to signify complete destruction.

Reflection and Application

Ezekiel 6:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of sin, particularly idolatry in any form—whether the worship of physical idols or the modern-day elevation of anything above God (money, power, status, self). It highlights that God is just and His warnings are not idle threats. While believers in Christ are no longer under the condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1), this verse still speaks to the principle that there are consequences for rebellion against God's will and truth. It calls us to examine our own hearts, repent of any form of idolatry, and live in faithful obedience, recognizing that God's word will always be accomplished (Isaiah 55:11).

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 5:13

    Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

  • Daniel 9:7

    O Lord, righteousness [belongeth] unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, [that are] near, and [that are] far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee.

  • Lamentations 4:22

    The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom; he will discover thy sins.

  • Lamentations 4:11

    The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.

  • Isaiah 40:2

    Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

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