Say this to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: This formula was used to begin verse 25 (see the comments there). Here it is repeated, as if a new prophecy was beginning here. It is included to emphasize what God will do to the people who are left in the land of Israel. Some translations omit it (so Contemporary English Version), but it is better to retain it unless this repetition is very unnatural in the language.

As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword: For the oath formula As I live, see verse 11. The Hebrew expression rendered surely is part of the oath formula and gives emphasis. Those who are in the waste places refers to the people who still live in the ruined towns of Israel (see verse 24). Shall fall by the sword means they “will be killed in war” (New Century Version; see the comments on 5.12). This phrase may be rendered “will die in war” or “an enemy will kill … in battle.”

And him that is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured: Compare 32.4. Him that is in the open field refers to those who live “in the countryside” (Contemporary English Version) of Israel. Some languages will say “those who live in the bush.” I will give to the beasts to be devoured means God will send wild animals to eat them.

Those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence: Some people will try to find safe places to live in the ruined land of Israel. The Hebrew word for strongholds can refer to military fortresses, but that is unlikely here because most of the fortresses had been destroyed in the war. Rather, these strongholds are places, probably in the hills, that are difficult to reach (see 1 Sam 23.14). Caves are openings in the side of a hill or mountain. They provide protection from the weather, and because they are in the side of a hill, those who live in them can usually see danger coming a long way off. Although these inaccessible places protect the people living in them so that they are not killed by others or by wild animals, these people will still die of pestilence (see 5.12), that is, “disease” (Good News Translation, New Living Translation, New Century Version) or “plague” (New International Version, New International Reader’s Version).

A model for this verse is:

• Tell them that I, the Lord Yahweh, warn them as surely as I am the living God, the people who live in the ruined towns will die in war. As for the people who live in the countryside, I will send wild animals to eat them. The people who are trying to be safe by living in the hills and in the caves, they will die from disease.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .