Ezekiel 14:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 14:13 mean?

Ezekiel 14:13 says that when a nation turns away from God by committing serious wrongdoing, God will respond by bringing hardship, specifically by causing a famine that affects both people and animals. The verse describes a direct consequence for persistent, collective disobedience.

In this verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel, addressing him as "son of man," and explaining what happens when a whole land sins "grievously." The setting is during the Babylonian exile, and God is warning that judgment—here pictured as famine—will come as a result of the people's ongoing rebellion. The language is vivid, showing that the loss of "the staff of bread" means the basic support of life will be broken, affecting everyone in the land.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 14:13

• "Sinneth" (חָטָא, ḥāṭā’): This word means to miss the mark or to do wrong, emphasizing that the land's people have strayed from what is right in a significant way.
• "Trespassing grievously" (מַעַל, mā‘al): This carries the idea of acting unfaithfully or betraying trust, not just making a mistake but breaking a relationship or covenant with God.
• "Staff" (מַטֶּה, matteh): The word for "staff" here refers to something that supports or sustains, so "breaking the staff of bread" is a picture of removing what people rely on for survival.
• "Famine" (רָעָב, rā‘āb): This is a direct word for hunger or scarcity of food, underlining the seriousness of the consequence God is describing.

Why Ezekiel 14:13 matters

• Ezekiel 14:13 clarifies that God's judgment is not random but is a response to persistent, collective wrongdoing, especially unfaithfulness.
• The verse shows that consequences for sin can affect everyone in a society, not just individuals, and even animals suffer when the land is judged.
• This warning fits into Ezekiel's larger message that God holds entire communities accountable, not just for isolated acts, but for ongoing rebellion against Him.