Ezekiel 33:27
New International Version
“Say this to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague.

New Living Translation
“Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, those living in the ruins will die by the sword. And I will send wild animals to eat those living in the open fields. Those hiding in the forts and caves will die of disease.

English Standard Version
Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence.

Berean Standard Bible
Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

King James Bible
Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

New King James Version
“Say thus to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “As I live, surely those who are in the ruins shall fall by the sword, and the one who is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and caves shall die of the pestilence.

New American Standard Bible
You shall say this to them: ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: “As I live, those who are in the places of ruins certainly will fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the animals to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of plague.

NASB 1995
“Thus you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of pestilence.

NASB 1977
“Thus you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of pestilence.

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus you shall say to them, ‘Thus says Lord Yahweh, “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of pestilence.

Amplified Bible
You shall say this to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, those who are in the ruins certainly will fall by the sword, and I will give whoever is in the open field to the [predatory] animals to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves will die of virulent diseases.

Christian Standard Bible
“Tell them this: ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: As surely as I live, those who are in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I have given to wild animals to be devoured, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Tell them this: This is what the Lord GOD says: As surely as I live, those who are in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I have given to wild animals to be devoured, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

American Standard Version
Thus shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: As I live, surely they that are in the waste places shall fall by the sword; and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured; and they that are in the strongholds and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

Contemporary English Version
As surely as I am the living LORD God, you people in the ruined cities will be killed in battle. Those of you living in the countryside will be eaten by wild animals, and those hiding in caves and on rocky cliffs will die from deadly diseases.

English Revised Version
Thus shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD: As I live, surely they that are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the strong holds and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: As I live, whoever is in the ruined cities will be killed in battle. Whoever is in the open field will become food for wild animals. Whoever is in fortified places and caves will die from plagues.

Good News Translation
"Tell them that I, the Sovereign LORD, warn them that as surely as I am the living God, the people who live in the ruined cities will be killed. Those living in the country will be eaten by wild animals. Those hiding in the mountains and in caves will die of disease.

International Standard Version
"Tell them this: 'This is what the Lord GOD says: "As certainly as I'm alive and living, those who live in the wastelands are certain to die violently, I'll give those who die in the open fields to the wild animals for food, and whoever takes refuge in caves and fortified places will die of diseases.

Majority Standard Bible
Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ?As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

NET Bible
"This is what you must say to them, 'This is what the sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, those living in the ruins will die by the sword, those in the open field I will give to the wild beasts for food, and those who are in the strongholds and caves will die of disease.

New Heart English Bible
"You shall tell them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword; and him who is in the open field will I give to the animals to be devoured; and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

Webster's Bible Translation
Say thou thus to them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that are in the forts and in the caves shall die by the pestilence.

World English Bible
“You shall tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “As I live, surely those who are in the waste places will fall by the sword. I will give whoever is in the open field to the animals to be devoured, and those who are in the strongholds and in the caves will die of the pestilence.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus you say to them, Thus said Lord YHWH: [As] I live—do they who [are] in the ruins not fall by the sword? And they who [are] on the face of the field, "" I have given for food to the beast, "" And they who are in strongholds and in caves die by pestilence.

Young's Literal Translation
Thus dost thou say unto them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I live -- do not they who are in the wastes by the sword fall? And they who are on the face of the field, To the beast I have given for food, And they who are in strongholds and in caves by pestilence die.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus shalt thou say to them: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: I live if not they who are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and he who is upon the face of the field I gave him to the beast to eat him, and they who are in the fastnesses and in caves shall die by death.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Say thou thus to them: Thus saith the Lord God: As I live, they that dwell in the ruinous places, shall fall by the sword: and he that is in the field, shall be given to the beasts to be devoured: and they that are in holds, and caves, shall die of the pestilence.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall say these things to them: So says the Lord God: As I live, those who live in ruinous ways will fall by the sword. And whoever is in the field will be delivered over to wild beasts to be devoured. But those who are in fortresses and in caves will die of the pestilence.

New American Bible
Say this to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, those among the ruins shall fall by the sword; those in the open field I have made food for the wild beasts; and those in rocky hideouts and caves shall die by the plague.

New Revised Standard Version
Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword; and those who are in the open field I will give to the wild animals to be devoured; and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Say to them, Thus says the LORD God: As I live, all of those who dwell in the waste places shall fall by the sword; and he that is in the open field, I will give to the wild beasts to be devoured, and those who are in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Say to them, ‘Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: I am alive! All who are in the ruins shall fall by the sword, and all who are in the fields I shall give as food for the animals, and all who are in the chasms and in caves shall die in the plague
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus shalt thou say unto them: Thus saith the Lord GOD: As I live, surely they that are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that are in the strongholds and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.Therefore say to them, Thus saith the Lord God, As I live, surely they that are in the desolate places shall fall by swords and they that are in the open plain shall be given for food to the wild beasts of the field, and them that are in the fortified cities and them that are in the caves I will slay with pestilence.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Word of Jerusalem's Fall
26You have relied on your swords, you have committed detestable acts, and each of you has defiled his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?’ 27Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague. 28I will make the land a desolate waste, and the pride of her strength will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will become desolate, so that no one will pass through.…

Cross References
Leviticus 26:32-33
And I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who dwell in it will be appalled. / But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.

Jeremiah 44:22
So the LORD could no longer endure the evil deeds and detestable acts you committed, and your land became a desolation, a horror, and an object of cursing, without inhabitant, as it is this day.

Deuteronomy 28:62-63
You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left few in number, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. / Just as it pleased the LORD to make you prosper and multiply, so also it will please Him to annihilate you and destroy you. And you will be uprooted from the land you are entering to possess.

Isaiah 6:11-12
Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged, / until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken.

Jeremiah 9:11
“And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”

Jeremiah 4:27
For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction.

Jeremiah 7:34
I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.”

Jeremiah 25:11
And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

2 Kings 21:14
So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. And they will become plunder and spoil to all their enemies,

Isaiah 1:7
Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire. Foreigners devour your fields before you—a desolation demolished by strangers.

Isaiah 5:9
I heard the LORD of Hosts declare: “Surely many houses will become desolate, great mansions left unoccupied.

Zephaniah 1:2-3
“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. / “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Micah 3:12
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.

Matthew 23:38
Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.


Treasury of Scripture

Say you thus to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

surely

Ezekiel 33:24
Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

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 6:11-14
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…

will I

Ezekiel 39:4
Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

to be devoured [heb] to devour him

Judges 6:2
And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

1 Samuel 13:6
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

1 Samuel 22:1
David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.

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Ezekiel 33
1. According to the duty of a watchman in warning the people
7. Ezekiel is admonished of his duty
10. God shows the justice of his ways toward the penitent and toward revolters
17. He maintains his justice
21. Upon the news of the taking of Jerusalem
25. he prophecies the desolation of the land
30. God's judgment upon the mockers of the prophets














Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. The prophet Ezekiel is acting as a mouthpiece for God, underscoring the seriousness and certainty of the forthcoming judgment. This is a common prophetic formula found throughout the Old Testament, indicating that the message is not from the prophet himself but from God (e.g., Isaiah 1:10, Jeremiah 2:2).

‘As surely as I live:
This oath-like statement underscores the certainty and unchangeable nature of God's pronouncement. It reflects God's eternal existence and His sovereign power to execute judgment. Similar expressions are found in Numbers 14:21 and Isaiah 49:18, where God swears by His own life, the highest assurance possible.

those in the ruins will fall by the sword:
The "ruins" refer to the desolate remains of cities and towns after the Babylonian invasion. This phrase indicates that those who remain in these devastated areas will face further destruction. Historically, this reflects the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah, where many cities were left in ruins (2 Kings 25:9-10).

those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals:
The open field represents vulnerability and exposure, away from the protection of city walls. In ancient Near Eastern culture, wild animals were often seen as instruments of divine judgment (Leviticus 26:22). This imagery is used to convey the complete desolation and danger facing those who are not protected by God.

and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague:
Strongholds and caves were often used as places of refuge during times of war (Judges 6:2, 1 Samuel 13:6). However, this phrase indicates that even these places of perceived safety will not protect from God's judgment. Plagues were a common form of divine punishment in the Bible, as seen in the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:14) and the pestilence during David's reign (2 Samuel 24:15). This highlights the inescapability of God's judgment, regardless of human efforts to seek refuge.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.

2. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks through Ezekiel to convey His judgments and promises.

3. The Ruins
Refers to the desolate places of the land of Israel, symbolizing the aftermath of God's judgment due to the people's disobedience.

4. The Open Field
Represents vulnerability and exposure, where those who are not protected will face the consequences of their rebellion.

5. Strongholds and Caves
Symbolize false security and hiding places where people seek refuge but ultimately cannot escape God's judgment.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Justice
God is sovereign and His judgments are just. He holds individuals accountable for their actions, and His decrees are certain.

The Illusion of False Security
Seeking refuge in anything other than God is futile. True safety is found only in obedience and trust in Him.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to inevitable consequences. This passage serves as a warning to turn back to God and follow His ways.

The Certainty of God's Word
God's declarations are sure and will come to pass. Believers are called to heed His warnings and live according to His Word.

Repentance and Restoration
While this passage speaks of judgment, it also implies the need for repentance. God desires His people to turn back to Him for restoration.(27) In the forts--is rather, in the natural fastnesses in which the land abounded.

Verse 27. - They that are in the wastes. The words paint, with a terrible vividness, what was passing in Ezekiel's fatherland. Did the fugitives of Judah seek the open country? they were exposed to the sword of the Chaldeans or of marauding outlaws. Did they seek safety in fortresses or caves? they were exposed, crowded together as they were under the worst possible conditions, to the ravages of pestilence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Tell
תֹאמַ֨ר (ṯō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them
אֲלֵהֶ֜ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

that this
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

is what
כֹּה־ (kōh-)
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
יְהוִה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

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

‘As surely as I
אָנִי֒ (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

live,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

those
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in the ruins
בֶּֽחֳרָבוֹת֙ (be·ḥo·rā·ḇō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin

will fall
יִפֹּ֔לוּ (yip·pō·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

by the sword,
בַּחֶ֣רֶב (ba·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

those
וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the open field
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

I will give
נְתַתִּ֖יו (nə·ṯat·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to be devoured
לְאָכְל֑וֹ (lə·’ā·ḵə·lōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

by wild animals,
לַחַיָּ֥ה (la·ḥay·yāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and those
וַאֲשֶׁ֛ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in the strongholds
בַּמְּצָד֥וֹת (bam·mə·ṣā·ḏō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4686: A net, capture, a fastness

and caves
וּבַמְּעָר֖וֹת (ū·ḇam·mə·‘ā·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4631: A cavern

will die
יָמֽוּתוּ׃ (yā·mū·ṯū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

by plague.
בַּדֶּ֥בֶר (bad·de·ḇer)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1698: A pestilence


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 33:27 You shall tell them Thus says (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 33:26
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