Verse 15. - The sword is without (see Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 6:12). Here there seems a more traceable fitness in assigning the pestilence as well as the famine to those who are shut up in the besieged city.

7:1-15 The abruptness of this prophecy, and the many repetitions, show that the prophet was deeply affected by the prospect of these calamities. Such will the destruction of sinners be; for none can avoid it. Oh that the wickedness of the wicked might end before it bring them to an end! Trouble is to the impenitent only an evil, it hardens their hearts, and stirs up their corruptions; but there are those to whom it is sanctified by the grace of God, and made a means of much good. The day of real trouble is near, not a mere echo or rumour of troubles. Whatever are the fruits of God's judgments, our sin is the root of them. These judgments shall be universal. And God will be glorified in all. Now is the day of the Lord's patience and mercy, but the time of the sinner's trouble is at hand.The sword is without,.... Without the city, where the enemy was besieging; so that those that went without, in order to make their escapes fell into their hands:

and the pestilence and the famine within; within the city; so that such who thought themselves safe in their own houses died by those judgments:

he that is in the field shall die by the sword; by the hands of the Chaldeans:

and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him; and he shall die by the hand of God.