Ezekiel 21
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The prophet goes on to denounce the fate of Jerusalem and Judea; using signs of vehement grief, to denote the greatness of the calamity, Eze 21:2-7. He then changes the emblem to that of a sharp and bright sword, still denoting the same sad event, Eze 21:8-17; and, becoming yet more explicit, he represents the king of Babylon, who was to be employed by God in this work, as setting out to take vengeance on both the Jews and the Ammonites, for joining with Egypt in a confederacy against him. He is described as standing at the parting of the roads leading to the respective capitals of the Jews and Ammonites; and doubting which to attack first, he commits the decision of the matter to his arts of divination, performed by mingling arrows inscribed with the names of the different nations or cities, and then marching against that whose name was written on the arrow first drawn from the quiver. In this case the name Jerusalem comes forward; and therefore he proceeds against it, Eze 21:18-24. History itself could scarcely be more explicit than this prophecy. The profane prince Zedekiah as then declared to be given up by God, and his kingdom devoted to utter destruction, for that breach of oath of which the prophet foretells he should be guilty, Eze 21:25-27. The remaining verses form a distinct prophecy relating to the destruction of the Ammonites, which was fulfilled about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, Eze 21:28-32.
Open source ↗PROPHECY AGAINST ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM, AND AGAINST AMMON. (Eze. 21:1-32) the holy places--the three parts of the temple: the courts, the holy place, and the holiest. If "synagogues" existed before the Babylonian captivity, as Psa 74:8 seems to imply, they and the proseuchÃ&brvbr, or oratories, may be included in the "holy places" here.
Open source ↗And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Upon the above excuse or complaint about speaking in parables; wherefore the prophet is ordered to speak in plainer language to the people. It is very probable that the prophet delivered the prophecy recorded in the latter part of the preceding chapter in the figurative terms in which he received it; and he here is bid to explain it to the people, or to repeat it to them in clearer expressions. And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Upon the above excuse or complaint about speaking in parables; wherefore the prophet is ordered to speak in plainer language to the people. It is very probable that the prophet delivered the prophecy recorded in the latter part of the preceding chapter in the figurative terms in which he received it; and he here is bid to explain it to the people, or to repeat it to them in clearer expressions. Ezekiel 21:2 eze 21:2 eze 21:2 eze 21:2Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem,.... Which shows that this city was meant by "the south", Eze 20:46, and drop thy word toward the holy places; which also are meant by the south in the passage referred to, even the holy land, holy city, and holy temple; or the temple itself is only meant, with the courts adjoining to it; or as consisting of three parts, as Kimchi, the porch, the temple, and the oracle; or the outward court, the holy place, and the holy of holies; and it may respect all other places for sacred worship, as their synagogues, both in city and country; which were not to be spared any more than the temple, nor were they, Psa 74:7. Jarchi thinks that the destruction both of the first and second temple is here intended; and which sense Kimchi also mentions. And prophesy against the land of Israel: by which it appears that this is intended by…
Open source ↗The Sword of the Lord and Its Disastrous Effects Eze 21:1. And the word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Eze 21:2. Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and trickle over the holy places, and prophesy over the land of Israel, Eze 21:3. And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will deal with thee, and will draw my sword out of its scabbard, and cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. Eze 21:4. Because I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword to go forth from its scabbard against all flesh from south to north. Eze 21:5. And all flesh shall know that I, Jehovah, have drawn my sword out of its scabbard: it shall not return again. Eze 21:6. And thou, son of man, sigh! so that the hips break; and with bitter pain sigh before their eyes! Eze 21:7. And when they say to thee, Wherefore dost thou sigh? say, Because of a report that it is coming; and every heart will sink, and all hands become powerless, and every spirit will become dull, and all knees turn into water: Behold, it cometh, and will happen, is the saying of the Lord Jehovah. - In the preceding parable, the expression "forest of the field in the south," or "forest of the south-land," was enigmatical. This is explained to signify Jerusalem with its holy places (מקדּשׁים, see comm. on Eze 7:24), and the land of Israel, i.e., the kingdom of Judah. In accordance with this, the fire kindled by the Lord is interpreted as being the sword of the Lord. It is true that this is a figurative expression; but it is commonly used for war, which brings with it devastation and death, and would be generally intelligible. The sword will cut off both righteous and wicked. This applies to the outer side of the judgment, inasmuch as both good and bad fall in war. This is…
Open source ↗The prophet had faithfully delivered the message he was entrusted with, in the close of the foregoing chapter, in the terms wherein he received it, not daring to add his own comment upon it; but, when he complained that the people found fault with him for speaking parables, the word of the Lord came to him again, and gave him a key to that figurative discourse, that with it he might let the people into the meaning of it and so silence that objection. For all men shall be rendered inexcusable at God's bar and every mouth shall be stopped. Note, He that speaks with tongues should pray that he may interpret, Co1 14:13. When we speak to people about their souls we should study plainness, and express ourselves as we may be the best understood. Christ expounded his parables to his disciples, Mar 4:34. 1. The prophet is here more plainly directed against whom to level the arrow of this prophecy. He must drop his word towards the holy places (Eze 21:2), towards Canaan the holy land, Jerusalem the holy city, the temple the holy house. These were highly dignified above other places; but, when they polluted them, that word which used to drop in the holy places shall now drop against them: Prophesy against the land of Israel. It was the honour of Israel that it had prophets and prophecy; but these, being despised by them, are turned against them. And justly is Zion battered with her own artillery, which used to be employed against her adversaries, seeing she knew not how to value it. 2. He is instructed, and is to instruct the people, in the meaning of the fire that was threatened to consume the forest of the south: it signified a sword drawn, the sword of war which should make the land desolate (Eze 21:3): Behold, I am against thee, O land of Israel! There needs no more to make a…
Open source ↗21:1-32 This chapter is unified by references to a sword (21:3-5, 9, 11-12, 14-16, 19, 28-30), which in each case depicts God’s judgment.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine נָטַף (nâṭaph, H5197) — to ooze, i.e. distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak… מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… תַּעַר (taʻar, H8593) — a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e. empty) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Open source ↗יַעַן (yaʻan, H3282) — properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… תַּעַר (taʻar, H8593) — a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e. empty) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown)
Open source ↗בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… תַּעַר (taʻar, H8593) — a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e. empty) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) שִׁבְרוֹן (shibrôwn, H7670) — rupture, i.e. a pang; figuratively, ruin מֹתֶן (môthen, H4975) — properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins מְרִירוּת (mᵉrîyrûwth, H4814) — bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) grief עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָנַח (ʼânach, H584) — to sigh שְׁמוּעָה (shᵉmûwʻâh, H8052) — something heard, i.e. an announcement בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… מָסַס (mâçaç, H4549) — to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… כָּהָה (kâhâh, H3543) — to be weak, i.e. (figuratively) to despond (causatively, rebuke), or (of light, the eye)… בֶּרֶךְ (berek, H1290) — a knee יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or…
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… חָדַד (châdad, H2300) — to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe מָרַט (mâraṭ, H4803) — to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to…
Open source ↗חָדַד (châdad, H2300) — to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe טֶבַח (ṭebach, H2874) — properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly… טָבַח (ṭâbach, H2873) — to slaughter (animals or men) מוֹרָט (môwrâṭ, H4178) — obstinate, i.e. independent בָּרָק (bârâq, H1300) — lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword אוֹ (ʼôw, H176) — desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if שׂוּשׂ (sûws, H7797) — to be bright, i.e. cheerful מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מָרַט (mâraṭ, H4803) — to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to… כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… חָדַד (châdad, H2300) — to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe מוֹרָט (môwrâṭ, H4178) — obstinate, i.e. independent יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent
Open source ↗זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… יָלַל (yâlal, H3213) — to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָשִׂיא (nâsîyʼ, H5387) — properly, an exalted one, i.e. a king or sheik; also a rising mist יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָגַר (mâgar, H4048) — to yield up; intensively, to precipitate אֵל (ʼêl, H413) — near, with or among; often in general, to חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… סָפַק (çâphaq, H5606) — to clap the hands (in token of compact, derision, grief, indignation, or punishment); by… יָרֵךְ (yârêk, H3409) — the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts;…
Open source ↗בָּחַן (bâchan, H974) — to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH}
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָבָא (nâbâʼ, H5012) — to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… כָּפַל (kâphal, H3717) — to fold together; figuratively, to repeat שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… חָלָל (châlâl, H2491) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent חָדַר (châdar, H2314) — properly, to inclose (as a room), i.e. (by analogy,) to beset (as in a siege)
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