King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 12:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 12:16 in the King James Version says “But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all t... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. a few: Heb. men of number

Ezekiel 12:16 · KJV


Context

14

And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.

15

And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.

16

But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. a few: Heb. men of number

17

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

18

Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God announces: 'But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.' God preserves a remnant through judgment not for their merit but for testimonial purposes. The few who survive will declare Israel's abominations among the nations, serving as witnesses to why judgment came.

This remnant theology is crucial—even in comprehensive judgment, God preserves some. The Hebrew anshe mispar (אַנְשֵׁי מִסְפָּר, 'men of number/few') emphasizes the smallness of the surviving group. Their purpose is confessional—declaring (admitting) the abominations that brought judgment. This honest acknowledgment before pagans vindicates God's righteousness and explains exile as just, not arbitrary.

From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates that God's electing grace ensures a remnant survives every judgment (Romans 9:27-29, 11:1-5). The remnant serves God's purposes—testifying to His justice and eventually becoming the nucleus for restoration. God never completely destroys but always preserves a seed through which His covenant continues.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The preserved remnant did indeed testify among the nations. Exiled communities in Babylon maintained their identity and explained their exile as divine judgment for covenant violation. Books like Lamentations and penitential Psalms (74, 79, 137) show this self-critical testimony. Later, Daniel and companions in Babylon testified to God's sovereignty even while acknowledging national sin (Daniel 9:4-19).

This honest self-assessment before pagans was countercultural—defeated peoples typically blamed their gods' weakness or enemy gods' strength. Israel's testimony that Yahweh judged them for sin was unique, maintaining that their God was sovereign even in their defeat. This witness preserved monotheistic faith and attracted some Gentiles (Ruth, Rahab precedents; later God-fearers in Acts).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the remnant's testimonial purpose challenge individualistic faith that ignores corporate witness?
  2. What does honest acknowledgment of sin before unbelievers teach about authentic gospel witness?
  3. In what ways does God's preservation of a remnant through judgment demonstrate His covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהוֹתַרְתִּ֤י1 of 20

But I will leave

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

מֵהֶם֙2 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י3 of 20
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִסְפָּ֔ר4 of 20

a few

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

מֵחֶ֖רֶב5 of 20

of them from the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

מֵרָעָ֣ב6 of 20

from the famine

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּמִדָּ֑בֶר7 of 20

and from the pestilence

H1698

a pestilence

לְמַ֨עַן8 of 20
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יְסַפְּר֜וּ9 of 20

that they may declare

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

אֶת10 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל11 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תּוֹעֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם12 of 20

all their abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

בַּגּוֹיִם֙13 of 20

among the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁר14 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּ֣אוּ15 of 20

whither they come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֔ם16 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְיָדְע֖וּ17 of 20

and they shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי18 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י19 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

that I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 12:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 12:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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