Ezekiel 7:15

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 7:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword: and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword: and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
Ezekiel 7:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword: and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The sword [is] without, &c.] Without the city, where the enemy was besieging; so that those that went without, in order to make their escapes fell into their hands: and the pestilence and the famine within; within the city; so that such who thought themselves safe in their own houses died by those judgments: he that [is] in the field shall die by the sword; by the hands of the Chaldeans: and he that [is] in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him; and he shall die by the hand of God.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“No security should anywhere be found (Deu 32:25). Fulfilled (Lam 1:20); also at the Roman invasion (Mat 24:16-18).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Without - In the countries. Within - The besieged city. Field - Whoever is in the field. Ezekiel 7:16”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eze 5:12; Deu 32:23-25; Jer 14:18, Jer 15:2, Jer 15:3; Lam 1:20 Ezekiel 7:16”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Third strophe Thus will they fall into irresistible destruction; even their silver and gold they will not rescue, but will cast it away as useless, and leave it for the enemy. - Eze 7:15. The sword without, and pestilence and famine within: he who is in the field will die by the sword; and famine and pestilence will devour him that is in the city. Eze 7:16. And if their escaped ones escape, they will be upon the mountains like the doves of the valleys, all moaning, every one for his iniquity. Eze 7:17. All hands will become feeble, and all knees flow with water. Eze 7:18. They will gird themselves with sackcloth, and terrors will cover them; on all faces there will be shame, and baldness on…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification