Ezekiel 7:15

KJV

The sword [is] without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that [is] in the field shall die with the sword; and he that [is] in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sword {H2719} is without {H2351}, and the pestilence {H1698} and the famine {H7458} within {H1004}: he that is in the field {H7704} shall die {H4191} with the sword {H2719}; and he that is in the city {H5892}, famine {H7458} and pestilence {H1698} shall devour {H398} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Outside is the sword, inside plague and famine. Those in the country will die by the sword. And as for those in the city, plague and famine will eat them up.

Berean Standard Bible

The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague.

American Standard Version

The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 7:15 delivers a chilling and comprehensive prophecy of inescapable divine judgment upon Judah, depicting a land utterly consumed by the instruments of God's wrath. Whether one seeks refuge in the open countryside or within the besieged city walls, death is assured through the sword of invading armies or the ravages of pestilence and famine, underscoring the absolute totality of God's righteous indignation against a persistently rebellious people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 7 marks a dramatic intensification in the prophet's message, shifting from general warnings of impending doom to an emphatic declaration that "the end" has come for the land of Israel. This chapter is part of a series of pronouncements of judgment (Ezekiel 4-7) that precede the ultimate fall of Jerusalem, intensifying the sense of urgency and inevitability. The preceding verses in [Ezekiel 7](/ezekiel/7 "Ezekiel 7 - The End Has Come for Israel") speak of God's fury being poured out and His eye having no pity, setting the grim stage for the specific manifestations of judgment detailed in verse 15. This verse serves as a stark summary of the fate awaiting all inhabitants, regardless of their location, powerfully reinforcing the absolute and inescapable nature of the coming destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, having been taken captive in 597 BC. His prophecies, including this one, were delivered to the exiles in Babylon while Jerusalem still stood, albeit under severe threat from the Neo-Babylonian Empire led by Nebuchadnezzar. The "sword" in this context refers directly to the formidable Babylonian army, which God used as His instrument of judgment against Judah for their idolatry, covenant breaking, and persistent unfaithfulness. "Pestilence and famine" were tragically common and devastating consequences of ancient siege warfare. As cities were encircled, external supplies were cut off, leading to widespread starvation, while unsanitary conditions within the crowded walls inevitably bred rampant disease. This prophecy vividly portrays the grim reality that would culminate in the [destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"), fulfilling the covenant curses for disobedience.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. First, it underscores the theme of **Comprehensive Judgment**, illustrating that God's wrath leaves no stone unturned and no individual untouched when His patience is exhausted. The stark distinction between "without" (field) and "within" (city) highlights the inescapable nature of the impending doom, signifying that no place offers refuge. Second, it emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty in Calamity**, demonstrating that these are not random misfortunes but divinely orchestrated judgments. God is actively using the "sword" (the Babylonian army) and the internal suffering of "famine and pestilence" to execute His righteous decrees against a people who had repeatedly turned away from Him. This aligns with the warnings found throughout the [Mosaic Covenant](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience") regarding the dire consequences of disobedience. Third, the horrific consequences described serve as a powerful testament to the **Severity of Sin** and its inevitable repercussions. The judgment is proportional to the depth of Israel's idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of God's laws, revealing God's unwavering holiness and justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** From H2719, meaning a cutting instrument, specifically a sword, emphasizing its destructive effect. In Ezekiel 7:15, "chereb" represents the external, violent force of the invading Babylonian army, God's chosen instrument for executing judgment. It signifies death by combat and military conquest, a direct and brutal consequence for those attempting to flee or resist outside the city walls.
* **Pestilence (Hebrew, _deber'_):** From H1698, meaning a plague or murrain. This term refers to widespread disease and epidemic, a common and devastating byproduct of siege warfare, often exacerbated by unsanitary conditions and overcrowding. Here, "deber" signifies an internal, insidious form of judgment that targets those within the confines of the besieged city.
* **Famine (Hebrew, _raʻâb'_):** From H7458, meaning hunger or dearth. "Raʻâb" denotes severe scarcity of food, leading to starvation. Like pestilence, famine was an expected and horrific consequence of a prolonged siege, as food supplies would inevitably dwindle. In this verse, "raʻâb" represents another internal, agonizing form of judgment that would "devour" the inhabitants trapped inside Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sword [is] without":** This clause immediately establishes the primary external threat facing Judah. "Without" (Hebrew: _chûwts_, H2351) refers to the open country, outside the protective city walls. The "sword" (Hebrew: _chereb_, H2719) represents the Babylonian army, poised to strike down anyone attempting to escape or found in the fields. It signifies the inescapable military assault.
* **"and the pestilence and the famine within":** This contrasts the external military threat with internal devastation. "Within" (Hebrew: _bayith_, H1004, here used in the sense of "inside the house" or "inside the city") indicates the suffering that will consume those trapped inside Jerusalem. "Pestilence" (Hebrew: _deber_, H1698) and "famine" (Hebrew: _raʻâb_, H7458) are the agonizing consequences of a prolonged siege: disease spreading rapidly and widespread starvation.
* **"he that [is] in the field shall die with the sword":** This specifies the grim fate of those outside the city. Anyone attempting to flee to the countryside or found working their land will be cut down by the invading army, emphasizing that there is no refuge to be found in escape or rural isolation.
* **"and he that [is] in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him":** This describes the equally grim end for those who remain within the city walls. They will not escape the judgment but will succumb to the slow, agonizing deaths brought by starvation and disease, with "devour" (Hebrew: _ʼâkal_, H398) vividly portraying the consuming, destructive power of these calamities.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 7:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of absolute and inescapable judgment. **Antithesis** and **Parallelism** are prominent, seen in the stark contrast between "without" and "within," and the corresponding fates of those "in the field" versus "in the city." This structural balance emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the judgment, leaving no place of safety. **Merism** is also at play, where "field" and "city" together represent the totality of the land and its inhabitants, signifying that judgment will reach everyone, everywhere. The phrase "famine and pestilence shall devour him" uses striking **Personification**, giving these abstract forces a predatory, active quality, as if they are ravenous beasts consuming their victims. This vivid **Imagery** of inescapable death by sword, starvation, and disease creates a profound sense of dread and inevitability, making the prophecy's impact visceral and memorable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 7:15 stands as a stark theological declaration of God's unwavering holiness and His commitment to covenant justice. It underscores the profound principle that persistent sin, particularly idolatry and rebellion against God's revealed will, inevitably leads to severe and comprehensive consequences. This verse is not merely a historical prediction but a timeless testament to God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over nations and natural forces alike. The triad of sword, famine, and pestilence is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, signifying God's comprehensive instruments of judgment against a rebellious people, serving as a divine response to their unfaithfulness and a means of purification or ultimate reckoning.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 14:12](/jeremiah/14-12 "Jeremiah 14:12 - God's Refusal to Hear Prayer")
* [Revelation 6:8](/revelation/6-8 "Revelation 6:8 - The Pale Horse of Death and Hades")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 7:15, though describing a historical judgment on ancient Israel, carries profound and timeless spiritual truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a sobering reminder that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and His unwavering commitment to justice. Just as there was no physical refuge from the sword, famine, and pestilence for the unrepentant Israelites, so too is there ultimately no spiritual hiding place from the consequences of sin for those who refuse to turn to God. This verse challenges any complacency we might harbor regarding our own spiritual state or the gravity of unaddressed sin in our lives. It compels us to consider the seriousness of God's holiness and the absolute necessity of genuine repentance, urging us to examine where we might be attempting to find "safety" or "escape" outside of God's sovereign will and abundant grace. It calls us to a posture of humility and immediate obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the severity of God's judgment described in Ezekiel 7:15 challenge or affirm my understanding of His justice and holiness?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be ignoring God's warnings or attempting to find "refuge" outside of His will or His Word?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of urgency regarding repentance and obedience, recognizing the inescapable nature of God's truth and the ultimate refuge found in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use such harsh judgments like famine and pestilence?**

Answer: God uses such harsh judgments not out of arbitrary cruelty, but as a direct and just consequence of persistent and unrepentant sin, particularly when His people have repeatedly rejected His covenant and warnings. These calamities serve multiple purposes: to demonstrate the gravity of sin, to fulfill the covenant curses outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), and to bring about a purification or a final reckoning. They underscore God's absolute holiness, His justice, and His sovereignty over all creation, including the forces of nature and human empires. Ultimately, they aim to lead people to acknowledge their sin and turn back to Him, or to highlight the just outcome for those who refuse His grace.

**Is this prophecy only about ancient Israel, or does it have relevance for today?**

Answer: While the immediate historical context of Ezekiel 7:15 is specific to ancient Judah and the Babylonian invasion, the underlying theological principles are timeless and universally relevant. The prophecy serves as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging character: His holiness, His justice, and His unwavering opposition to sin. It illustrates that disobedience has real and often severe consequences, and that there is no escape from God's ultimate judgment for those who remain unrepentant. For believers today, it underscores the importance of heeding God's warnings, living in obedience, and recognizing that while the specific manifestations of judgment may differ, the principle of divine accountability remains. Crucially, it also points us to the ultimate and only true refuge found in Jesus Christ, who bore the judgment we deserved.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 7:15, with its grim depiction of inescapable judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the direct application of physical calamities to believers, but in the profound theological truth of sin and salvation. The "sword" of divine judgment, which was justly due to humanity for its rebellion and idolatry, did not ultimately fall upon us, but upon Jesus Christ on the cross. He became the perfect sacrifice, bearing the full weight of God's wrath, so that those who believe in Him might be spared the spiritual "pestilence and famine" of eternal separation from God ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Just as the prophet spoke of no earthly refuge from the impending doom, Christ offers Himself as the sole and complete refuge from the spiritual death that is the wage of sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and God's Gift")). He is the true "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing spiritual sustenance as the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and "living water" ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), thereby addressing the ultimate spiritual famine and pestilence of the soul. In Christ, the terrifying pronouncements of judgment are transformed into a glorious promise of salvation and eternal life for all who find their refuge in Him ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

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

Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

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.

Lamentations 1:20

Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home [there is] as death.

Deuteronomy 32:23

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

Deuteronomy 32:25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.

Jeremiah 15:2

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

Jeremiah 15:3

And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the LORD: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy.