Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine and plague, so that in the nations where they go they may acknowledge all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” New Living Translation But I will spare a few of them from death by war, famine, or disease, so they can confess all their detestable sins to their captors. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” English Standard Version But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.” Berean Standard Bible But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Berean Literal Bible I will spare from their people a few—from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence—so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they go there. And they will know that I am YHWH.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” New American Standard Bible But I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine, and plague so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.” NASB 1995 “But I will spare a few of them from the sword, the famine and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.” NASB 1977 “But I shall spare a few of them from the sword, the famine, and the pestilence that they may tell all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am the LORD.” Legacy Standard Bible But I will spare a few of them from sword, famine, and pestilence that they may recount all their abominations among the nations where they go, and may know that I am Yahweh.” Amplified Bible But I will leave a few [survivors] who will escape the sword, the famine, and the virulent disease, that they may confess all their repulsive (idolatrous) acts among the nations where they go, and may know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD.” Berean Annotated Bible But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine, and plague, so that among the nations where they go they can tell about all their detestable practices. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Holman Christian Standard Bible But I will spare a few of them from the sword, famine, and plague so they can tell about all their detestable practices among the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.” American Standard Version 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 nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Some of them will survive the war, the starvation, and the deadly diseases. That way, they will be able to tell foreigners how disgusting their sins were, and that it was the LORD who punished them in this way. English Revised Version 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 nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation However, I will spare a few of them from wars, famines, and plagues. Wherever they go among the nations, they will realize that everything they did was disgusting. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'" Good News Translation I will let a few of them survive the war, the famine, and the diseases, so that there among the nations they will realize how disgusting their actions have been and will acknowledge that I am the LORD." International Standard Version "But I'll preserve a few people out of the violent death, famine, and pestilence, so they can recount their detestable practices among the nations when they'll go there. Then they'll know that I am the LORD." NET Bible But I will let a small number of them survive the sword, famine, and pestilence, so that they can confess all their abominable practices to the nations where they go. Then they will know that I am the LORD." New Heart English Bible 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 nations where they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD." Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” World English Bible 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 nations where they come. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I have left of them, a few in number, from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, so that they recount all their abominations among the nations to where they have come, and they have known that I [am] YHWH.” Berean Literal Bible I will spare from their people a few—from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence—so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they go there. And they will know that I am YHWH.” Young's Literal Translation and I have left of them, a few in number, from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence, so that they recount all their abominations among the nations whither they have come, and they have known that I am Jehovah.' Smith's Literal Translation And I left of them men of number, from the sword and from famine, and from death, so that they shall recount all their abominations among the nations where they went there; and they shall know that I am Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I will leave a few men of them from the sword, and from the famine, and from the pestilence: that they may declare all their wicked deeds among the nations whither they shall go: and they shall know that I am the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And I will leave behind a few men of them, apart from the sword, and the famine, and the pestilence, so that they may declare all their wicked deeds among the Gentiles, to whom they will go. And they shall know that I am the Lord.” New American Bible But I will let a few of them escape the sword, starvation, and plague, so that they may recount all their abominations among the nations to which they go. Thus they may know that I am the LORD. New Revised Standard Version But I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, so that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they go; then they shall know that I am the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut I will spare a few men of them from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles whither they go; and they shall know that I am the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I shall spare some men of them, by number, from the sword, and from famine, and from plague, that they may tell of all their abominations among the nations where they went to them, and they shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But 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 nations whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And I will leave of them a few men in number spared from the sword, and from famine, and pestilence; that they may declare all their iniquities among the nations whither they have gone; and they shall know that I am the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Signs of the Coming Captivity…15And they will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries. 16But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine and plague, so that in the nations to which they go, they can recount all their abominations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” 17Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,… Cross References But I will spare a few of them Ezekiel 6:8 Yet I will leave a remnant, for some of you will escape the sword when you are scattered among the nations and throughout the lands. Ezekiel 14:22-23 Yet, behold, some survivors will be left in it—sons and daughters who will be brought out. They will come out to you, and when you see their conduct and actions, you will be comforted regarding the disaster I have brought upon Jerusalem—all that I have brought upon it. / They will bring you consolation when you see their conduct and actions, and you will know that it was not without cause that I have done all these things within it,’ declares the Lord GOD.” Isaiah 10:20-22 On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but they will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. / A remnant will return—a remnant of Jacob—to the Mighty God. / Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness. from sword and famine and plague, Jeremiah 21:7 ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ 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.” 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.’” so that in the nations to which they go, Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’ Deuteronomy 28:64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known. Jeremiah 24:9 I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. they can recount all their abominations. Ezekiel 36:31-32 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and abominations. / It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD—let it be known to you. Be ashamed and disgraced for your ways, O house of Israel! Ezekiel 20:43 There you will remember your ways and all the deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils you have done. Leviticus 26:40-42 But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 6:7 The slain will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD. Exodus 7:5 And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.” Ezekiel 14:8 I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Jeremiah 44:28 Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs! Treasury of Scripture 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 where they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD. I will Ezekiel 6:8-10 Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries… Ezekiel 14:22,23 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it… Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. a few men [heb] men of number Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Isaiah 10:19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: that they Ezekiel 14:22,23 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it… Ezekiel 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Leviticus 26:40,41 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; … and they Deuteronomy 29:24-28 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? … 1 Kings 9:6-9 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: … Jeremiah 22:8,9 And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? … Jump to Previous Abominations Acknowledge Clear Confess Declare Detestable Disease Disgusting Escape Famine Few Food Heathen Leave Nations Need Pestilence Plague Practices Recount Small Spare Sword Ways WhitherJump to Next Abominations Acknowledge Clear Confess Declare Detestable Disease Disgusting Escape Famine Few Food Heathen Leave Nations Need Pestilence Plague Practices Recount Small Spare Sword Ways WhitherEzekiel 12 1. Under the type of Ezekiel's removing8. is shown the captivity of Zedekiah 17. Ezekiel's trembling shows the Jews' desolation 21. The Jews' presumptuous proverb is reproved 26. The speediness of the vision But I will spare a few of them This phrase indicates God's mercy amidst judgment. In the context of Ezekiel, God is speaking about the impending judgment on Jerusalem due to its idolatry and rebellion. Sparing a remnant is a recurring theme in the Bible, seen in the stories of Noah and Lot, where God preserves a faithful few. This remnant theology underscores God's grace and the hope of restoration. from sword and famine and plague so that in the nations to which they go they can recount all their abominations Then they will know that I am the LORD.” Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The people of God who are in exile due to their disobedience and idolatry. 3. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing God's judgment and the consequences of their sin. 4. Sword, Famine, and Plague Instruments of God's judgment used to discipline and purify His people. 5. Nations The foreign lands where the Israelites are scattered, serving as witnesses to God's justice and mercy. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and MercyDespite the severity of judgment, God spares a remnant, demonstrating His control over history and His mercy. Purpose of Preservation The remnant is preserved to testify to God's justice and their own sinfulness, serving as a witness to the nations. Consequences of Sin The passage underscores the serious consequences of disobedience, urging believers to live in accordance with God's commands. Hope in Judgment Even in times of discipline, God provides hope and a future for those who remain faithful. Witness to the Nations Believers are called to be witnesses of God's truth and grace, sharing their testimonies with others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 12:16?2. How does Ezekiel 12:16 demonstrate God's mercy amidst judgment? 3. What lessons can we learn from the spared remnant in Ezekiel 12:16? 4. How does Ezekiel 12:16 connect to God's covenant promises in the Old Testament? 5. In what ways can we apply the concept of a remnant today? 6. How does Ezekiel 12:16 encourage repentance and faithfulness in our lives? 7. What does Ezekiel 12:16 reveal about God's purpose for sparing a remnant? 8. How does Ezekiel 12:16 challenge our understanding of divine justice and mercy? 9. Why does God choose to spare some in Ezekiel 12:16 despite widespread judgment? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 12? 11. Who are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? 12. Are there any archaeological findings that confirm the severe judgments (famine, wild beasts, sword, plague) predicted in Ezekiel 14:13-21? 13. In Ezekiel 5:11-12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources? 14. Jeremiah 34:11-17 - How does God's condemnation of re-enslavement align with other passages where slavery was permitted (e.g., Leviticus 25)? What Does Ezekiel 12:16 Mean But I will spare a few of them“‘But I will spare a few of them…’” (Ezekiel 12:16) • God’s judgment on Judah was devastating, yet He declares that a “few” will be spared. This is the biblical theme of the remnant—seen earlier with Noah (Genesis 6:8), Lot (Genesis 19:29), and later with the exiles who return from Babylon (Ezra 2:64–65). • Mercy does not cancel justice; it highlights it. Romans 11:5 reminds us that “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” from sword and famine and plague • The triple threat—sword, famine, plague—summarizes the covenant curses listed in Leviticus 26:25–26 and reiterated in Jeremiah 14:12. • God is not arbitrary; these judgments are the promised consequences of persistent rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:22, 25). • Sparing a remnant from these very judgments underlines that deliverance is not earned but granted (Psalm 103:10). so that in the nations to which they go • The spared few will not remain in Judah; they will be scattered among “the nations.” This fulfills Leviticus 26:33 and Deuteronomy 4:27. • Exile turns the people into living testimonies of both judgment and grace, similar to how Joseph witnessed in Egypt (Genesis 50:20) and Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:47). they can recount all their abominations • The remnant’s mission is to confess, not to boast. Psalm 51:13 pictures restored sinners teaching transgressors God’s ways. • Public acknowledgment of sin counters Judah’s earlier denial (Jeremiah 2:23). Confession becomes evangelism, alerting the nations to God’s holiness (Isaiah 43:10–12). Then they will know that I am the LORD. • This refrain dominates Ezekiel (used over 60 times). Judgment and mercy together reveal God’s identity (Ezekiel 6:7; 39:28). • Knowing the LORD is relational and covenantal, much like the new-covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:34 and fulfilled ultimately in Christ (John 17:3). • The spared remnant, by surviving and testifying, leads both Israel and the nations to recognize Yahweh’s supremacy (Zechariah 8:23). summary Ezekiel 12:16 shows God’s faithfulness on display: He judges persistent rebellion with sword, famine, and plague, yet preserves a remnant. Their exile positions them to confess their sins openly among the nations, turning personal failure into a global witness. Through this blend of justice and mercy, the remnant—and all who hear—come to know that He alone is the LORD. (16) May declare all their abominations.--This they were to do, that the false impression that God was unable to protect His people might be removed from the minds of the heathen, and the truth that He was punishing them for their sins be made known. They should do it both by word of mouth (as in Jeremiah 22:8-9), and also by their conduct (as in Ezekiel 14:22-23). The word "few" is literally, as shown in the margin, men of number, i.e., men who can easily be numbered or counted; and in the very similar expression in the original for "declare," there is a play upon the word, something like our "count" and "recount."They shall know, may grammatically refer either to the heathen, or to the Israelites in their dispersion; but the latter is so constantly the refrain of these prophecies (see Ezekiel 12:20, e.g.), that it is also to be understood here. Hebrew But I will spareוְהוֹתַרְתִּ֤י (wə·hō·w·ṯar·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve a few מִסְפָּ֔ר (mis·pār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration of them מֵהֶם֙ (mê·hem) Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They from the sword, מֵחֶ֖רֶב (mê·ḥe·reḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword famine, מֵרָעָ֣ב (mê·rā·‘āḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger and plague, וּמִדָּ֑בֶר (ū·mid·dā·ḇer) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1698: A pestilence so that לְמַ֨עַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent they can tell יְסַפְּר֜וּ (yə·sap·pə·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate of all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every their abominations תּוֹעֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֗ם (tō·w·‘ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol among the nations בַּגּוֹיִם֙ (bag·gō·w·yim) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts to which אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that they go. בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Then they will know וְיָדְע֖וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3045: To know that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am the LORD.” יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Links Ezekiel 12:16 NIVEzekiel 12:16 NLT Ezekiel 12:16 ESV Ezekiel 12:16 NASB Ezekiel 12:16 KJV Ezekiel 12:16 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 12:16 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 12:16 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 12:16 French Bible Ezekiel 12:16 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 12:16 But I will leave a few men (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
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