King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 14:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 14:19 in the King James Version says “Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:”

Ezekiel 14:19 · KJV

Context

17

Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:

18

Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

19

Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:

20

Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

21

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? How: or, Also when

Read Ezekiel 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Send pestilence in this verse. Disease as divine judgment, demonstrating that God sees hearts and motives, not just external religious practices. The scenario reveals the futility of seeking God while maintaining idolatry—true inquiry requires undivided allegiance. Attempting to consult God while harboring idols represents the divided heart God rejects.

The passage illustrates that religious externals without heart reality constitute hypocrisy God abhors. Mere consultation of prophets, attendance at worship, or performance of rituals means nothing if the heart remains idolatrous. God demands total allegiance, not partial commitment combined with idolatrous hedging. The call is to genuine repentance involving both turning from sin and turning to God.

From a Reformed perspective, this passage teaches the doctrine of regeneration's necessity. External religion without heart transformation cannot save. Only the Spirit's work creating new hearts produces genuine faith and repentance. Attempts to maintain both God and idols reveal unregenerate hearts needing divine recreation, not mere moral reformation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The elders coming to Ezekiel (v. 1) represented Jerusalem's leadership or fellow exiles seeking prophetic guidance. However, God revealed their secret idolatry—they maintained household gods or idolatrous practices while outwardly seeking Yahweh. This duplicity characterized pre-exilic Israel and necessitated judgment. Disease as divine judgment within this context of widespread syncretism where people attempted to hedge spiritual bets by worshiping both Yahweh and other deities. Archaeological discoveries of household figurines and foreign cult objects in Israelite homes confirm this pattern. The practice violated the Shema's demand for exclusive love and loyalty to Yahweh (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage expose the futility of religious practices divorced from heart reality?
  2. What modern idols do people attempt to maintain while still seeking God's blessing?
  3. In what ways does Send pestilence illustrate the necessity of genuine conversion versus mere external religion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
א֛וֹ1 of 14
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

דֶּ֥בֶר2 of 14

“a pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

אֲשַׁלַּ֖ח3 of 14

“Or if I send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֣רֶץ5 of 14

“into that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַהִ֑יא6 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְשָׁפַכְתִּ֨י7 of 14

“and pour out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

חֲמָתִ֤י8 of 14

“my fury”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

עָלֶ֙יהָ֙9 of 14
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּדָ֔ם10 of 14

“upon it in blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לְהַכְרִ֥ית11 of 14

“to cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִמֶּ֖נָּה12 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

אָדָ֥ם13 of 14

“from it man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וּבְהֵמָֽה׃14 of 14

“and beast”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

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 14:19 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 14:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 38:22Jeremiah 14:122 Samuel 24:15Ezekiel 5:12Ezekiel 7:8Deuteronomy 28:59-61

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