Though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord GOD, they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they alone would be delivered: See verse 16. Again, with an oath God states that the goodness of the three good men (who again are not named) will save only themselves, and no one else, not even their own children.

A model for verses 17-18 is:

• 17 Or suppose I bring warfare to that land and send an enemy to go through the land and kill every person and animal. 18 Just as I the Lord Yahweh am living, I tell you, even if these three good men lived there, I would not even save their own children. They [or, These men] are the only ones I would save.

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 .