The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
There's violence in the streets and disease and hunger inside the city walls. If you're out in the open, you'll face the sword. If you're hiding in the city, starvation and sickness will get you.
Sometimes there's literally nowhere safe to run, danger is everywhere.
📚 Historical Context
Ezekiel was a prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BC, delivering messages of God's judgment on Judah for their persistent idolatry and rebellion against His laws. This verse is part of a broader prophecy warning of the Babylonian invasion and the resulting siege of Jerusalem, where external threats like enemy swords symbolized invading armies. It highlights the comprehensive devastation that would affect both rural areas and cities, reflecting the historical reality of ancient warfare and divine punishment as foretold in the book of Ezekiel.
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