Ezekiel 14:21
New International Version
“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem my four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to kill its men and their animals!

New Living Translation
“Now this is what the Sovereign LORD says: How terrible it will be when all four of these dreadful punishments fall upon Jerusalem—war, famine, wild animals, and disease—destroying all her people and animals.

English Standard Version
“For thus says the Lord GOD: How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four disastrous acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild beasts, and pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!

Berean Standard Bible
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast?

King James Bible
For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

New King James Version
For thus says the Lord GOD: “How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it?

New American Standard Bible
For this is what the Lord GOD says: “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, vicious animals, and plague to eliminate human and animal life from it!

NASB 1995
For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts and plague to cut off man and beast from it!

NASB 1977
For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague to cut off man and beast from it!

Legacy Standard Bible
For thus says Lord Yahweh, “How much more when I send My four calamitous judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague to cut off man and beast from it!

Amplified Bible
For thus says the Lord GOD, “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem—sword, famine, predatory beasts, and virulent disease—to cut off man and animal from it!

Christian Standard Bible
“For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send my four devastating judgments against Jerusalem—sword, famine, dangerous animals, and plague—in order to wipe out both people and animals from it!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send My four devastating judgments against Jerusalem—sword, famine, dangerous animals, and plague—in order to wipe out both man and animal from it!

American Standard Version
For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!

Contemporary English Version
I am the LORD God, and I promise to punish Jerusalem severely. I will send war, starvation, wild animals, and deadly disease to slaughter its people and livestock.

English Revised Version
For thus saith the Lord GOD: How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is what the Almighty LORD says: I will surely send four terrible punishments against Jerusalem. I will send wars, famines, wild animals, and plagues. They will destroy people and animals.

Good News Translation
This is what the Sovereign LORD is saying: "I will send my four worst punishments on Jerusalem--war, famine, wild animals, and disease--to destroy people and animals alike.

International Standard Version
This is what the Lord GOD says, "I'm sending four of my most destructive judgments—military invasion, famine, wild animals, and pestilence—into Jerusalem to destroy both human beings and livestock in it.

Majority Standard Bible
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ?How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments?sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague?in order to cut off from it both man and beast?

NET Bible
"For this is what the sovereign LORD says: How much worse will it be when I send my four terrible judgments--sword, famine, wild animals, and plague--to Jerusalem to kill both people and animals!

New Heart English Bible
"For thus says the Lord GOD: 'How much more when I send my four severe judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil animals, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and animal.

Webster's Bible Translation
For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four severe judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

World English Bible
For the Lord Yahweh says: “How much more when I send my four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword, the famine, the evil animals, and the pestilence—to cut off from it man and animal!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For thus said Lord YHWH: “Although My four severe judgments—sword, and famine, and wild beast, and pestilence—I have sent to Jerusalem, to cut off man and beast from it,

Young's Literal Translation
'For thus said the Lord Jehovah: Although My four sore judgments -- sword, and famine, and wild beast, and pestilence -- I have sent unto Jerusalem, to cut off from it man and beast,

Smith's Literal Translation
For thus said the Lord Jehovah: Also if I sent my four evil judgments, sword and famine, and the evil beast, and death to Jerusalem, to cut off from it man and cattle?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For thus saith the Lord: Although I shall send in upon Jerusalem my four grievous judgments, the sword, and the famine, and the mischievous beasts, and the pestilence, to destroy out of it man and beast,

Catholic Public Domain Version
For thus says the Lord God: Even though I will send upon Jerusalem my four most grievous judgments, sword and famine and harmful beasts and pestilence, so that I destroy from it both man and beast,

New American Bible
Thus says the Lord GOD: Even though I send against Jerusalem my four evil punishments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—to cut off from it human being and beast alike,

New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the Lord GOD: How much more when I send upon Jerusalem my four deadly acts of judgment, sword, famine, wild animals, and pestilence, to cut off humans and animals from it!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD God: How much more when I send four sore judgments upon Jerusalem: the sword and famine and vicious beasts and pestilence, to destroy from it man and beast.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: four evil judgments I have sent on Jerusalem: sword and famine and harmful beasts and plagues, and I shall destroy children of men and beast from her
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the Lord GOD: How much more when I send My four sore judgments against Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord, And if I even send upon Jerusalem my four sore judgements, sword, and famine, and evil beasts, and pestilence, to destroy from out of it man and beast;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Irrevocable Sentence
20then as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, they could not deliver their own sons or daughters. Their righteousness could deliver only themselves. 21For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments— sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague— in order to cut off from it both man and beast? 22Yet, behold, some survivors will be left in it—sons and daughters who will be brought out. They will come out to you, and when you see their conduct and actions, you will be comforted regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem—all that I have brought upon it.…

Cross References
Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 15:2-3
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ / I will appoint over them four kinds of destroyers, declares the LORD: the sword to kill, the dogs to drag away, and the birds of the air and beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Leviticus 26:21-26
If you walk in hostility toward Me and refuse to obey Me, I will multiply your plagues seven times, according to your sins. / I will send wild animals against you to rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and reduce your numbers, until your roads lie desolate. / And if in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me, ...

Deuteronomy 32:23-25
I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them. / They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that slither in the dust. / Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Jeremiah 14:12
Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”

2 Samuel 24:13
So Gad went and said to David, “Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”

Isaiah 51:19
These pairs have befallen you: devastation and destruction, famine and sword. Who will grieve for you? Who can comfort you?

Jeremiah 24:10
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.’”

Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Jeremiah 29:17-18
this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I will send against them sword and famine and plague, and I will make them like rotten figs, so bad they cannot be eaten. / I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them.

Lamentations 4:9
Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

1 Chronicles 21:12
between three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies and overtaken by their swords, or three days of the sword of the LORD—days of plague upon the land, with the angel of the LORD ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Jeremiah 16:4
“They will die from deadly diseases. They will not be mourned or buried, but will lie like dung on the ground. They will be finished off by sword and famine, and their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and beasts of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

For thus said the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

How much more when.

Ezekiel 14:13,15,19
Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: …

Ezekiel 5:12,17
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…

Ezekiel 6:11,12
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…

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Ezekiel 14
1. God answers idolaters according to their own heart
6. They are exhorted to repent, for fear of judgments, by means of seduced prophets
12. God's irrevocable sentence of famine
15. of wild beasts
17. of the sword
19. and of pestilence
22. A remnant shall be reserved for example of others














For this is what the Lord GOD says:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. The title "Lord GOD" underscores God's sovereignty and covenant relationship with Israel. It is a reminder that the message is not from Ezekiel himself but from God, who is the ultimate judge and ruler.

How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem:
This rhetorical question highlights the severity of the impending judgment. Jerusalem, the center of religious and political life for the Israelites, is the focus. Historically, Jerusalem had experienced sieges and destruction, notably by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The city's significance makes its judgment a profound statement of God's displeasure with the people's idolatry and sin.

My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague:
These four judgments are often seen as comprehensive forms of divine retribution. The "sword" represents warfare and violence, a common method of judgment in the ancient world. "Famine" indicates a lack of sustenance, often a consequence of siege warfare. "Wild beasts" symbolize chaos and danger, reflecting a breakdown of societal order. "Plague" suggests disease, a frequent occurrence in times of war and famine. These judgments are reminiscent of the curses outlined in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, where disobedience to God's covenant results in severe consequences.

in order to cut off from it both man and beast?:
The phrase indicates total devastation, affecting all living creatures, not just humans. This reflects the interconnectedness of creation and the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. The inclusion of "beast" underscores the extent of the calamity, as animals were vital for agriculture, transportation, and religious sacrifices. This total destruction serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the mouthpiece of God, delivering messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.

2. The Lord GOD
The sovereign deity of Israel, Yahweh, who communicates His will and judgments through the prophet Ezekiel.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, significant in Jewish history and faith, and the focal point of God's judgment due to the people's idolatry and unfaithfulness.

4. Four Dreadful Judgments
These are the sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague, representing comprehensive divine judgment on a rebellious nation.

5. Man and Beast
The inhabitants of Jerusalem, both human and animal, who are subject to God's judgments due to the pervasive sin in the land.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Sin
Sin has severe consequences, and God's judgments are a response to persistent rebellion. We must take sin seriously and seek repentance.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is sovereign and just in His judgments. Understanding His sovereignty helps us trust His plans, even when they involve discipline.

The Call to Repentance
God's warnings are opportunities for repentance. We should heed His warnings and turn back to Him with sincere hearts.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Ezekiel are vital in communicating God's truth. We should value and listen to those who faithfully teach God's Word today.

Hope Beyond Judgment
While judgment is severe, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and hope for those who turn to Him. We should hold onto this hope in times of trial.(21) My four sore judgments.--The teaching of the preceding eight verses is here gathered up into its climax. In the case of any one of the four punishments mentioned in succession, the presence of the holiest of men should be of no avail to avert it; how much more then, when all these are combined in the judgment upon Jerusalem, will it be impossible to stay its doom.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this is what
כֹ֨ה (ḵōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD
יְהֹוִ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

says:
אָמַ֜ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘How much worse
אַ֣ף (’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

will it be when
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I send
שִׁלַּ֖חְתִּי (šil·laḥ·tî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

against
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

My four
אַרְבַּ֣עַת (’ar·ba·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

dire
הָרָעִ֡ים (hā·rā·‘îm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

judgments—
שְׁפָטַ֣י ׀ (šə·p̄ā·ṭay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8201: A sentence, infliction

sword,
חֶ֠רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

famine,
וְרָעָ֞ב (wə·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

wild
רָעָה֙ (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

beasts,
וְחַיָּ֤ה (wə·ḥay·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and plague—
וָדֶ֔בֶר (wā·ḏe·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1698: A pestilence

in order to cut off
לְהַכְרִ֥ית (lə·haḵ·rîṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

from it
מִמֶּ֖נָּה (mim·men·nāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

both man
אָדָ֥ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

and beast?
וּבְהֵמָֽה׃ (ū·ḇə·hê·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 14:21 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: How (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 14:20
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