Ezekiel 14:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 14:17 mean?

Ezekiel 14:17 describes God warning that if He brings a sword—meaning war or invasion—against a land and commands it to pass through, the result will be the destruction of both people and animals in that place. The verse shows the seriousness of God's judgment when a nation turns away from Him.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the elders of Israel, who have come to inquire of Him while living in exile in Babylon. The context is a series of warnings about the consequences of persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. The sword here represents a tool of judgment, emphasizing that God's actions are deliberate and decisive, affecting all life in the land, not just humans.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 14:17

• "Sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): This word often means a weapon or instrument of war, but it can also symbolize violent judgment or destruction. In this verse, it highlights the threat of military invasion as a form of divine punishment.
• "Bring" (בּוֹא, bo): This verb means to cause something to come or to bring about. Here, it underscores that God is the one initiating the judgment, not just allowing it.
• "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karat): This word means to sever or destroy completely. Its use here stresses the totality of the judgment—both people ("man," אָדָם, adam) and animals ("beast," בְּהֵמָה, behemah) will be removed from the land.

Why Ezekiel 14:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that God's judgments are not random disasters but purposeful responses to persistent wrongdoing, showing His control over history and nations.
• Ezekiel 14:17 connects to the wider passage where God lists different forms of judgment (famine, wild beasts, sword, plague) to show that nothing can shield a land from consequences if it rejects Him.
• The verse helps correct the misunderstanding that only people are affected by divine judgment; here, even animals suffer, highlighting the far-reaching impact of a nation's choices.