Ezekiel 6:12 - He who is far off will die of the pestilence. He who is near will fall by the sword. He who remains and is besieged will die by the famine. Thus I will accomplish my wrath on them.

Generated Verse: Ezekiel 6:12

What does "Ezekiel 6:12" mean?


Ezekiel 6:12 is a grim prophecy foretelling widespread death and destruction as a result of God's wrath upon the people of Israel for their idolatry. Let's break down the meaning:

"He who is far off will die of the pestilence." This refers to those who have fled the immediate area of conflict or judgment. Even though they sought to escape, they will not be spared. They will succumb to disease (pestilence), which often accompanied times of siege and warfare.

"He who is near will fall by the sword." This refers to those caught in the direct path of the invading forces or battles. They will be killed in warfare or by the sword, symbolizing violent conflict.

"He who remains and is besieged will die by the famine." This refers to those who stay put within the fortified cities. They will be besieged (surrounded by enemies), cut off from supplies, and ultimately die of starvation (famine).

"Thus I will accomplish my wrath on them." This is the key statement. It clarifies that these different forms of death are not random or accidental, but deliberate acts of divine judgment. God is executing his anger and wrath against the people for their sins, primarily their idolatry and unfaithfulness.

In summary:

The verse paints a picture of total destruction. Escape is futile, direct confrontation is fatal, and remaining behind offers no sanctuary. The variety of deaths - pestilence, sword, and famine - emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment. The purpose is to express the completeness and severity of God's wrath on the people for turning away from him and worshipping idols.
It's worth noting that in the Old Testament, such pronouncements of judgment were often intended to be a call to repentance. By warning of the consequences of their actions, the prophets hoped to inspire the people to turn back to God and avoid the impending disaster.

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