King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 5:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 5:16 in the King James Version says “When I shall send upon them the evil arrows of famine, which shall be for their destruction, and which I will send to de...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Ezekiel 5:16 · KJV

Context

14

Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

15

So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it.

16

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:

17

So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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: Famine is personified as "evil arrows" (chitzei ha-raav ha-raim, חִצֵּי הָרָעָב הָרָעִים)—missiles of destruction that God actively shoots at His people. The imagery combines military attack (arrows) with natural disaster (famine), revealing that both are divine judgments. Famine isn't random weather failure but God's targeted weapon "sent" (ashalach, אֲשַׁלַּח) with destructive purpose.

The phrase "break your staff of bread" repeats 4:16, emphasizing removal of life's basic support. Bread as "staff" (matteh-lechem, מַטֵּה־לֶחֶם) represents the foundational provision sustaining existence. Breaking this staff means removing God's providential care, leaving people to starve. The intensification—"I will increase the famine"—indicates progressive worsening, not sudden calamity but gradual, relentless deprivation.

Theologically, this confronts human self-sufficiency. We cannot live by bread alone but need every word from God's mouth (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). When people reject God's spiritual provision, He may remove even physical provision to drive them back to dependence on Him. The broken staff points toward Christ as the Bread of Life (John 6:35)—only He provides sustenance that truly satisfies and never fails. All earthly provision is temporary; only God's word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'arrows of famine' struck Jerusalem during Babylon's 18-month siege (589-586 BC). Jeremiah records: "The famine was severe in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land" (Jeremiah 52:6). Lamentations graphically describes starvation's effects: infants dying for lack of milk (4:4), distinguished people scavenging trash (4:5), and people's skin shriveling from hunger (4:8).

Ancient warfare deliberately used famine as weapon. Besieging armies surrounded cities to prevent food entering, systematically starving populations into submission. Babylon employed this tactic effectively—siege works cut off all supplies, and the encircled population consumed stored food, then animals, then anything remotely edible, finally resorting to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:28-29; Lamentations 4:10).

The progressive nature of famine—gradual worsening over months—created psychological torture alongside physical suffering. Hope diminished as reserves depleted. Each day's smaller ration increased desperation. The 'staff of bread' broke slowly, not suddenly, teaching the people to recognize God's hand in their deprivation and understand that covenant violation had broken their provision's source.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God 'sending' famine as arrows reveal His active involvement in what we might call natural disasters?
  2. What does the 'breaking of the staff of bread' teach about dependence on God for basic provision?
  3. In what ways does Christ as the Bread of Life address our deeper hunger beyond physical food?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח1 of 20

“When I shall send”

H7971

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

אֶת2 of 20
H853

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

חִצֵּי֩3 of 20

“arrows”

H2671

properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear

וְרָעָב֙4 of 20

“of famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

הָרָעִ֤ים5 of 20

“upon them the evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בָּהֶם֙6 of 20
H0
אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 20
H834

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

הָי֣וּ8 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְמַשְׁחִ֔ית9 of 20

“which shall be for their destruction”

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 20
H834

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

אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח11 of 20

“When I shall send”

H7971

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

אוֹתָ֖ם12 of 20
H853

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

לְשַֽׁחֶתְכֶ֑ם13 of 20

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וְרָעָב֙14 of 20

“of famine”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

אֹסֵ֣ף15 of 20

“you and I will increase”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם16 of 20
H5921

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

וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֥י17 of 20

“upon you and will break”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

לָכֶ֖ם18 of 20
H0
מַטֵּה19 of 20

“your staff”

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

לָֽחֶם׃20 of 20

“of bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

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 5:16 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 5:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 4:16Deuteronomy 32:23-24Psalms 91:5-7Psalms 7:13Leviticus 26:262 Kings 6:25

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
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