Ezekiel 5:16 When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food.

◄ Ezekiel 5:16 ►

New International Version
When I shoot at you with my deadly and destructive arrows of famine, I will shoot to destroy you. I will bring more and more famine upon you and cut off your supply of food.

New Living Translation
“I will shower you with the deadly arrows of famine to destroy you. The famine will become more and more severe until every crumb of food is gone.

English Standard Version
when I send against you the deadly arrows of famine, arrows for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, and when I bring more and more famine upon you and break your supply of bread.

Berean Standard Bible
When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food.

King James Bible
When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:

New King James Version
When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread.

New American Standard Bible
When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break off your provision of bread.

NASB 1995
‘When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break the staff of bread.

NASB 1977
‘When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I shall send to destroy you, then I shall also intensify the famine upon you, and break the staff of bread.

Legacy Standard Bible
When I send against them the deadly arrows of famine which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will also intensify the famine upon you and break the staff of bread.

Amplified Bible
When I send against them the deadly arrows of hunger which were for the destruction of those whom I will send to destroy you, then I will increase the famine upon you and break your staff of bread.

Christian Standard Bible
When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, inhabitants of Jerusalem, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I shoot deadly arrows of famine at them, arrows for destruction that I will send to destroy you, inhabitants of Jerusalem, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of bread.

American Standard Version
when I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. And I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread;

Contemporary English Version
I will destroy your crops until you starve to death, and disasters will strike you like arrows.

English Revised Version
when I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you; and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When I shoot my destructive arrows of famine at you, I will shoot to kill you. I will bring more and more famines into your land, and I will cut off your food supply.

Good News Translation
I will cut off your supply of food and let you starve. You will feel the pains of hunger like sharp arrows sent to destroy you.

International Standard Version
I'll send arrows of severe famine in their direction, meant for destruction, which I'll shoot, intending to destroy them. I'll make you have more and more famines that will attack you, and I'll disrupt your source of food.

Majority Standard Bible
When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food.

NET Bible
I will shoot against them deadly, destructive arrows of famine, which I will shoot to destroy you. I will prolong a famine on you and will remove the bread supply.

New Heart English Bible
when I shall send on them the evil arrows of famine, that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine on you, and will break your staff of bread;

Webster's Bible Translation
When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread:

World English Bible
when I send on them the evil arrows of famine that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you. I will increase the famine on you and will break your staff of bread.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
In My sending the evil arrows of famine among them, "" That have been for destruction, "" That I send to destroy you, "" And I am adding famine on you, "" And I have broken your staff of bread.

Young's Literal Translation
In My sending the evil arrows of famine among them, That have been for destruction, That I send to destroy you, And famine I am adding upon you, And I have broken to you the staff of bread.

Smith's Literal Translation
In my sending the evil arrows of famine upon them which were for destruction, which I shall send to destroy you: and I will add famine upon you, and I broke to you the staff of bread.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
I the Lord have spoken it: When I shall send upon them the grievous arrows of famine, which shall bring death, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will gather together famine against you: and I will break among you the staff of bread.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I, the Lord, have spoken. At that time, I will send among them the most grievous arrows of famine, which shall bring death, and which I will send so that I may destroy you. And I will gather a famine over you, and I will crush the staff of bread among you.

New American Bible
When I loose against you the deadly arrows of starvation that I am sending to destroy you, I will increase starvation and will break your staff of bread.

New Revised Standard Version
when I loose against you my deadly arrows of famine, arrows for destruction, which I will let loose to destroy you, and when I bring more and more famine upon you, and break your staff of bread.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
When I shall send upon you my grievous arrows of famine, which shall be for your destruction and which I will send to destroy you: I will increase the famine upon you, and will break the staff of your grain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Whenever I have sent upon you my evil arrows of famine which are for destruction, which I shall send to destroy you, and I shall add famine to you, and I shall break the staff of your grain

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
when I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, that are for destruction, which I will send to destroy you; and I will increase the famine upon you, and will break your staff of bread;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when I have sent against them shafts of famine, then they shall be consumed, and I will break the strength of thy bread.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Famine, Sword, and Dispersion
…15So you will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and a horror to the nations around you, when I execute judgments against you in anger, wrath, and raging fury. I, the LORD, have spoken. 16When I shower you with the deadly arrows of famine and destruction that I will send to destroy you, I will intensify the famine against you and cut off your supply of food. 17I will send famine and wild beasts against you, and they will leave you childless. Plague and bloodshed will sweep through you, and I will bring a sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Leviticus 26:26
When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.

Deuteronomy 28:48
you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.

Jeremiah 14:12
Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.”

Lamentations 4:9
Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce.

Isaiah 3:1
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,

Jeremiah 15:2
If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’

Jeremiah 24:10
And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’”

Jeremiah 42:17
So all who resolve to go to Egypt to reside there will die by sword and famine and plague. Not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring upon them.’

Jeremiah 44:13
I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague,

Revelation 6:8
Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Matthew 24:7
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Revelation 11:6
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

Revelation 16:21
And great hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous.

Treasury of Scripture

When I shall send on them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to destroy you: and I will increase the famine on you, and will break your staff of bread:

the evil

Deuteronomy 32:23,24
I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them…

Psalm 7:13
He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

Psalm 91:5-7
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; …

and will

Ezekiel 4:16
Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:

Ezekiel 14:13
Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it:

Leviticus 26:26
And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

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Adding Arrows Bread Break Broken Causing Cut Deadly Destroy Destruction Destructive Disease End Evil Famine Food Further Increase Loose Necessary Sending Shoot Staff Supply

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Ezekiel 5

1. Under the type of hair
5. is shown the judgment of Jerusalem for their rebellion
12. by famine, sword, and dispersion

Berean Study Bible

When I shower you
The phrase "When I shower you" suggests an overwhelming and inescapable action. In the Hebrew context, the word for "shower" can imply a deluge or a pouring out, often used in the context of divine judgment. This imagery evokes the idea of God's sovereign control over nature and His ability to use it as an instrument of judgment. Historically, the Israelites understood such acts as direct interventions from God, reminding them of His power and their dependence on His mercy.

deadly arrows of famine
The "deadly arrows of famine" are a vivid metaphor. In ancient warfare, arrows were a common weapon, symbolizing precision and inevitability. Here, famine is personified as an arrow, indicating that it is both a targeted and a lethal judgment from God. The Hebrew word for "arrows" often conveys the idea of something that is sent forth with purpose. This reflects the biblical theme that God’s judgments are not random but are purposeful, aiming to bring about repentance and restoration.

to destroy you
The phrase "to destroy you" underscores the severity of the judgment. The Hebrew root for "destroy" often implies complete ruin or desolation. This reflects the seriousness of Israel's sin and the extent of the consequences they face. In the broader biblical narrative, destruction is often a precursor to renewal, suggesting that even in judgment, God’s ultimate goal is to bring about a new beginning for His people.

I will intensify the famine against you
"I will intensify the famine against you" indicates an escalation of the judgment. The Hebrew concept of intensification here suggests a deliberate increase in severity. This reflects the biblical principle that God’s judgments are progressive, often increasing in intensity to awaken His people to their need for repentance. Historically, famines were devastating events that tested the faith and resilience of the people, often leading them to cry out to God for deliverance.

and cut off your supply of food
The phrase "and cut off your supply of food" highlights the complete dependency of the people on God for their sustenance. In the ancient Near East, food supply was a constant concern, and any disruption was catastrophic. The Hebrew word for "cut off" implies a severing or breaking, indicating a total cessation. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, who is the ultimate provider. In the scriptural context, such a cutting off is often a call to return to reliance on God, who alone can restore and provide abundantly.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - The evil arrows of famine, etc. The thought of the "arrows" of God's judgment may have been taken from Deuteronomy 32:23, 42, and occurs frequently also in the Psalms (Psalm 7:13; Psalm 38:2, et al.). Clothed in the language of poetry, the attributes of Jehovah included those of the Far-darter of the Greeks. Which shall be for their destruction, etc.; better, as Revised Version, that are for destruction. Ewald looks on the noun as a personification, like Abaddon, also translated "destruction" in Job 28:22 and Proverbs 15:11, and renders the words, "that are from hell;" but there seems no special reason for assuming such a meaning here. It is noticable that, as in the symbolism of Ezekiel 4:9-17, the laminae is more prominent in Ezekiel's thoughts than the other punishments.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

When I shower you
בְּֽשַׁלְּחִ֡י (bə·šal·lə·ḥî)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

with the deadly
הָרָעִ֤ים (hā·rā·‘îm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

arrows
חִצֵּי֩ (ḥiṣ·ṣê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

of famine
הָרָעָ֨ב (hā·rā·‘āḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

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

destruction
לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית (lə·maš·ḥîṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4889: Destructive, destruction

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

I will send
אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח (’ă·šal·laḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to destroy you,
לְשַֽׁחֶתְכֶ֑ם (lə·ša·ḥeṯ·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

I will intensify
אֹסֵ֣ף (’ō·sêp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - first person common singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

the famine
וְרָעָב֙ (wə·rā·‘āḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger

against you
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and cut off
וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֥י (wə·šā·ḇar·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

your supply
מַטֵּה־ (maṭ·ṭêh-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4294: A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe

of bread.
לָֽחֶם׃ (lā·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 5:16 When I shall send on them (Ezek. Eze Ezk)