King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 33:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 33:27 in the King James Version says “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,...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. to be: Heb. to devour him”

Ezekiel 33:27 · KJV

Context

25

Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?

26

Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?

27

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. to be: Heb. to devour him

28

For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. most: Heb. desolation and desolation

29

Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.

Read Ezekiel 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse articulates God's righteous judgment against persistent sin and rebellion. From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates God's holiness and justice—He cannot overlook sin but must judge it. The passage shows both the necessity of judgment (God's character demands it) and its purpose (to vindicate His holiness, demonstrate sin's seriousness, and turn people from destruction). Understanding divine judgment helps us grasp gospel grace: Christ bore the judgment we deserved, satisfying God's justice while extending mercy to all who trust in Him (Romans 3:25-26). God's judgment isn't arbitrary or cruel but righteous response to covenant violation and moral rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 586-571 BCE) after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiled community grappled with theological and practical questions: Why had judgment come? Would restoration occur? How should they live in exile? The historical context of ancient Near Eastern covenant patterns, conquest and exile practices, and prophetic literature provides essential background. Archaeological discoveries from this period illuminate the exile's realities and the return's historical fulfillment. Yet Ezekiel's prophecies extend beyond immediate historical context to find fuller realization in Christ and the church, with ultimate consummation in the new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's character, purposes, or ways of working in history?
  2. What specific application does this passage call you to make in your current circumstances or spiritual life?
  3. How does this Old Testament passage illuminate New Testament teaching about Christ, salvation, or the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כֹּֽה1 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֨ר2 of 27

“Say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֜ם3 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּה4 of 27
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֨ר5 of 27

“Say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י6 of 27

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֮7 of 27

“GOD”

H3069

god

לַחַיָּ֥ה8 of 27

“As I live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָנִי֒9 of 27
H589

i

אִם10 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֞א11 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 27
H834

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

בֶּֽחֳרָבוֹת֙13 of 27

“surely they that are in the wastes”

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

בַּחֶ֣רֶב14 of 27

“by the sword”

H2719

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

יִפֹּ֔לוּ15 of 27

“shall fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

וַֽאֲשֶׁר֙16 of 27
H834

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

עַל17 of 27
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֣י18 of 27

“and him that is in the open”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה19 of 27

“field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

לַחַיָּ֥ה20 of 27

“As I live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

נְתַתִּ֖יו21 of 27

“will I give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְאָכְל֑וֹ22 of 27

“to be devoured”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וַאֲשֶׁ֛ר23 of 27
H834

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

בַּמְּצָד֥וֹת24 of 27

“and they that be in the forts”

H4679

a fastness (as a covert of ambush)

וּבַמְּעָר֖וֹת25 of 27

“and in the caves”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

בַּדֶּ֥בֶר26 of 27

“of the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

יָמֽוּתוּ׃27 of 27

“shall die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 33:27 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 33:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 42:221 Samuel 13:6Ezekiel 39:4Jeremiah 41:9Jeremiah 44:12Ezekiel 33:24

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