Ezekiel 12:16
New International Version
But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

New Living Translation
But I will spare a few of them from death by war, famine, or disease, so they can confess all their detestable sins to their captors. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

English Standard Version
But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

King James Bible
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

New King James Version
But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine, and plague so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”

NASB 1995
“But I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”

NASB 1977
“But I shall spare a few of them from the sword, the famine, and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from sword, famine, and pestilence that they may recount all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
But I will leave a few [survivors] who will escape the sword, the famine, and the virulent disease, that they may confess all their repulsive (idolatrous) acts among the nations where they go, and may know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine, and plague, so that among the nations where they go they can tell about all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine, and plague so they can tell about all their detestable practices among the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.”

American Standard Version
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Some of them will survive the war, the starvation, and the deadly diseases. That way, they will be able to tell foreigners how disgusting their sins were, and that it was the LORD who punished them in this way.

English Revised Version
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, I will spare a few of them from wars, famines, and plagues. Wherever they go among the nations, they will realize that everything they did was disgusting. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'"

Good News Translation
I will let a few of them survive the war, the famine, and the diseases, so that there among the nations they will realize how disgusting their actions have been and will acknowledge that I am the LORD."

International Standard Version
"But I'll preserve a few people out of the violent death, famine, and pestilence, so they can recount their detestable practices among the nations when they'll go there. Then they'll know that I am the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.?

NET Bible
But I will let a small number of them survive the sword, famine, and pestilence, so that they can confess all their abominable practices to the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

New Heart English Bible
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

World English Bible
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they come. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I have left of them, a few in number, from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, so that they recount all their abominations among the nations to where they have come, and they have known that I [am] YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
and I have left of them, a few in number, from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, so that they recount all their abominations among the nations whither they have come, and they have known that I am Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I left of them men of number, from the sword and from famine, and from death, so that they shall recount all their abominations among the nations where they went there; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will leave a few men of them from the sword, and from the famine, and from the pestilence: that they may declare all their wicked deeds among the nations whither they shall go: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will leave behind a few men of them, apart from the sword, and the famine, and the pestilence, so that they may declare all their wicked deeds among the Gentiles, to whom they will go. And they shall know that I am the Lord.”

New American Bible
But I will let a few of them escape the sword, starvation, and plague, so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they go. Thus they may know that I am the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they go; then they shall know that I am the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But I will spare a few men of them from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles whither they go; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall spare some men of them, by number, from the sword, and from famine, and from plague, that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they went to them, and they shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will leave of them a few men in number spared from the sword, and from famine, and pestilence; that they may declare all their iniquities among the nations whither they have gone; and they shall know that I am the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Signs of the Coming Captivity
15And they will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries. 16But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” 17Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,…

Cross References
Jeremiah 44:28
Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs!

Jeremiah 24:8-10
But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. / I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. / And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’”

Jeremiah 42:16-17
then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow on your heels into Egypt, and you will die there. / So all who resolve to go to Egypt to reside there will die by sword and famine and plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring upon them.’

Jeremiah 44:14
so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”

Jeremiah 44:12-14
And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. / I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague, / so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”

Jeremiah 44:27
I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and every man of Judah who is in the land of Egypt will meet his end by sword or famine, until they are finished off.

Jeremiah 44:29
This will be a sign to you that I will punish you in this place, declares the LORD, so that you may know that My threats of harm against you will surely stand.

Jeremiah 44:11-14
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: I will set My face to bring disaster and to cut off all Judah. / And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. / I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague, ...

Jeremiah 44:1-6
This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis—and in the land of Pathros: / “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation / because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. ...

Jeremiah 44:7-10
So now, this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves by cutting off from Judah man and woman, child and infant, leaving yourselves without a remnant? / Why are you provoking Me to anger by the work of your hands by burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt, where you have gone to reside? As a result, you will be cut off and will become an object of cursing and reproach among all the nations of the earth. / Have you forgotten the wickedness of your fathers and of the kings of Judah and their wives, as well as the wickedness that you and your wives committed in the land of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? ...

Jeremiah 44:15-19
Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning incense to other gods, and all the women standing by—a great assembly—along with all the people living in the land of Egypt and in Pathros, said to Jeremiah, / “As for the word you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you! / Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. ...

Jeremiah 44:20-23
Then Jeremiah said to all the people, both men and women, who were answering him, / “As for the incense you burned in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—you, your fathers, your kings, your officials, and the people of the land—did the LORD not remember and bring this to mind? / So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day. ...

Jeremiah 44:24-28
Then Jeremiah said to all the people, including all the women, “Hear the word of the LORD, all those of Judah who are in the land of Egypt. / This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: As for you and your wives, you have spoken with your mouths and fulfilled with your hands your words: ‘We will surely perform our vows that we have made to burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and to pour out drink offerings to her.’ Go ahead, then, do what you have promised! Keep your vows! / Nevertheless, hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah living in Egypt: Behold, I have sworn by My great name, says the LORD, that never again will any man of Judah living in the land of Egypt invoke My name or say, ‘As surely as the Lord GOD lives.’ ...

Jeremiah 44:30
This is what the LORD says: Behold, I will deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who seek his life, just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life.”

Jeremiah 44:1-30
This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews living in the land of Egypt—in Migdol, Tahpanhes, and Memphis—and in the land of Pathros: / “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation / because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen where they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

I will

Ezekiel 6:8-10
Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries…

Ezekiel 14:22,23
Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it…

Isaiah 1:9
Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

a few men [heb] men of number

Genesis 13:16
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Isaiah 10:19
And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.

Romans 9:27
Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

that they

Ezekiel 14:22,23
Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it…

Ezekiel 36:31
Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

Leviticus 26:40,41
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; …

and they

Deuteronomy 29:24-28
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? …

1 Kings 9:6-9
But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: …

Jeremiah 22:8,9
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? …

Jump to Previous
Abominations Acknowledge Clear Confess Declare Detestable Disease Disgusting Escape Famine Few Food Heathen Leave Nations Need Pestilence Plague Practices Recount Small Spare Sword Ways Whither
Jump to Next
Abominations Acknowledge Clear Confess Declare Detestable Disease Disgusting Escape Famine Few Food Heathen Leave Nations Need Pestilence Plague Practices Recount Small Spare Sword Ways Whither
Ezekiel 12
1. Under the type of Ezekiel's removing
8. is shown the captivity of Zedekiah
17. Ezekiel's trembling shows the Jews' desolation
21. The Jews' presumptuous proverb is reproved
26. The speediness of the vision














But I will spare a few of them
This phrase indicates God's mercy amidst judgment. The Hebrew root for "spare" is "yatar," which means to leave or preserve. Historically, this reflects God's consistent pattern of preserving a remnant, as seen with Noah's family during the flood and Lot's family in Sodom. This remnant theology is crucial in understanding God's redemptive plan, showing that even in judgment, His grace and purpose prevail.

from the sword
The "sword" symbolizes war and destruction, a common theme in prophetic literature. In the ancient Near East, the sword was a primary instrument of warfare, representing divine judgment. The sparing from the sword signifies God's protection over the remnant, ensuring their survival despite the surrounding chaos and violence.

famine
Famine, often a consequence of siege warfare, represents severe deprivation and suffering. In the biblical context, famine is frequently a tool of divine discipline, as seen in the curses of Deuteronomy 28. The sparing from famine underscores God's provision and care for His chosen ones, even when the land is under divine judgment.

and plague
Plague, or pestilence, is another form of divine judgment, often associated with God's wrath against sin. The Hebrew word "deber" is used here, which can denote a widespread disease. The sparing from plague highlights God's sovereignty over life and death, and His ability to protect His people from widespread calamity.

so that they may declare
This phrase indicates purpose. The remnant is spared not just for survival, but to fulfill a mission. The Hebrew root "saphar" means to recount or declare, emphasizing the importance of testimony. This aligns with the biblical theme of witness, where God's acts are proclaimed to future generations.

all their abominations
"Abominations" refers to detestable practices, often idolatry or moral corruption. The Hebrew word "toebah" is used, which is frequently associated with practices that are abhorrent to God. The remnant's role is to acknowledge and confess these sins, serving as a warning and a call to repentance for others.

among the nations
This phrase highlights the dispersion of the Israelites due to exile. The scattering among the nations fulfills God's warning of judgment for disobedience, as outlined in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. However, it also serves a redemptive purpose, as the remnant's testimony among the nations can lead to the knowledge of God spreading beyond Israel.

where they have gone
This indicates the reality of exile, a significant theme in Ezekiel. The phrase underscores the consequences of Israel's disobedience, resulting in their removal from the Promised Land. Yet, it also points to God's sovereignty, as He uses even their displacement to achieve His purposes.

Then they will know that I am the LORD
This concluding phrase is a recurring theme in Ezekiel, emphasizing the ultimate goal of God's actions: the recognition of His sovereignty and holiness. The Hebrew "yada" means to know intimately, suggesting a deep, transformative understanding of God's nature and authority. This knowledge is not just intellectual but relational, leading to a restored relationship with God.

(16) May declare all their abominations.--This they were to do, that the false impression that God was unable to protect His people might be removed from the minds of the heathen, and the truth that He was punishing them for their sins be made known. They should do it both by word of mouth (as in Jeremiah 22:8-9), and also by their conduct (as in Ezekiel 14:22-23). The word "few" is literally, as shown in the margin, men of number, i.e., men who can easily be numbered or counted; and in the very similar expression in the original for "declare," there is a play upon the word, something like our "count" and "recount."

They shall know, may grammatically refer either to the heathen, or to the Israelites in their dispersion; but the latter is so constantly the refrain of these prophecies (see Ezekiel 12:20, e.g.), that it is also to be understood here.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But I will spare
וְהוֹתַרְתִּ֤י (wə·hō·w·ṯar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

a few
מִסְפָּ֔ר (mis·pār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

of them
מֵהֶם֙ (mê·hem)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

from the sword,
מֵחֶ֖רֶב (mê·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

famine,
מֵרָעָ֣ב (mê·rā·‘āḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

and plague,
וּמִדָּ֑בֶר (ū·mid·dā·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1698: A pestilence

so that
לְמַ֨עַן (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

they can tell
יְסַפְּר֜וּ (yə·sap·pə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

of all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their abominations
תּוֹעֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם (tō·w·‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

among the nations
בַּגּוֹיִם֙ (bag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

to which
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they go.
בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Then they will know
וְיָדְע֖וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 12:16 But I will leave a few men (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 12:15
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