Ezekiel 21:1 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 21:1 nkjv
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Ezekiel 21:1 niv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 21:1 esv
The word of the LORD came to me:
Ezekiel 21:1 nlt
Then this message came to me from the LORD:
Ezekiel 21 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 1:1 | "The words of Ezekiel..." | Prophet's commission |
| Jeremiah 1:1 | "The words of Jeremiah..." | Another prophet's start |
| Isaiah 2:1 | "The word which Isaiah... saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem." | Prophetic utterance |
| Amos 1:1 | "The words of Amos..." | Prophet's authority |
| Micah 1:1 | "The word of the LORD that came to Micah..." | Divine message delivery |
| Nahum 1:1 | "The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum..." | Oracle of judgment |
| Zephaniah 1:1 | "The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah..." | Specific historical context |
| Haggai 1:1 | "In the second year of Darius the king... came the word of the LORD by Haggai..." | Time-stamped prophecy |
| Zech 1:1 | "In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius..." | Prophetic word delivery |
| Matthew 13:3 | "He sent out his laborers into his vineyard." | God's action proclaimed |
| John 1:1 | "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God..." | The divine Word itself |
| Acts 13:27 | "For the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their rulers... did not recognize Him, nor did they understand the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath." | Recognizing prophetic voice |
| 1 Peter 1:25 | "But the word of the Lord endures forever." | Permanence of God's word |
| Revelation 1:2 | "...who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, and to all that he saw." | Testimony of prophetic word |
| Deuteronomy 18:22 | "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing that the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall do nothing to it." | Authentication of prophecy |
| Jeremiah 23:28 | "Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream; but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has the straw in common with the wheat? declares the LORD." | Authenticity of the message |
| 1 Samuel 3:1 | "Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread vision." | Scarcity of God's word |
| Proverbs 30:5 | "Every word of God proves true..." | Trustworthiness of God's word |
| Romans 10:17 | "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." | Word as source of faith |
| Ephesians 6:17 | "and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." | The Word as spiritual weapon |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 1 Meaning
The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel, which is a direct prophetic announcement and the commencement of a new message from God.
Ezekiel 21 1 Context
Ezekiel chapter 21 marks a significant shift in the prophet's ministry. Previously, his prophecies focused on the spiritual and moral decay of Judah and Jerusalem. This verse introduces a new section of prophecy concerning a specific judgment about to fall upon Jerusalem and the surrounding lands, primarily through the invading Babylonian army. The chapter deals with the approach of Nebuchadnezzar's forces, depicting the Lord's sword being drawn and sharpened for destruction.
Ezekiel 21 1 Word Analysis
- The - A definite article, signifying specificity and focus on what follows.
- word - Hebrew: דְּבַר (davar). This signifies a message, an utterance, a declaration, or even an event ordained by God. It implies divine communication with authority and purpose.
- of - Preposition showing possession or origin.
- the - Again, definite article.
- LORD - Hebrew: יְהוָה (YHWH), the covenantal name of God. This emphasizes that the message originates from the God of Israel, the one who has a covenant relationship with His people.
- came - Hebrew: הָיָה (hayah) or צָוָה (tzavah). In this context, it implies arrival or divine bestowal, signifying God's active initiative in communicating His message.
- unto - Preposition indicating the recipient.
- Ezekiel - Hebrew: יְחֶזְקֵאל (Yəḥezeq’ēl), meaning "God strengthens" or "God will strengthen." The prophet's name itself reflects a core theme of his ministry—finding strength in God amidst desolation.
- the - Definite article.
- priest - Hebrew: כֹּהֵן (kohen). Ezekiel was not just a prophet but also from a priestly lineage, consecrated to God. This role carries implications of mediating between God and man, and understanding the covenant.
- son - Hebrew: בֵּן (ben). Denotes lineage and inheritance.
- of - Preposition.
- Buzi - Hebrew: בּוּזִי (Buzi). The identity of Buzi is unknown from the text itself. This anonymity highlights that Ezekiel's prophetic authority came not from his earthly lineage, but from God.
- in - Preposition of place or circumstance.
- the - Definite article.
- land - Hebrew: אֶרֶץ (eretz). Refers to the land of the Chaldeans or Babylon, where the exiles were.
- of - Preposition.
- the - Definite article.
- Chaldeans - Hebrew: כַּשְׂדִּים (Kasdim). Refers to the Babylonians, the dominant empire of the time, and the instrument of God's judgment against Judah.
Words Group Analysis
- "The word of the LORD came unto Ezekiel...": This is a classic prophetic formula. It signifies divine inspiration and authoritative pronouncement. God is the initiator and sustainer of the prophetic message. It asserts the divine origin and absolute trustworthiness of Ezekiel's utterances.
- "Ezekiel the priest, son of Buzi...": This identifies Ezekiel by his dual role as prophet and priest, grounding his message within the covenantal framework. His lineage as a priest underscores the sacred nature of his calling and his understanding of God's law. The mention of Buzi emphasizes his human parentage but ultimately points to his divine commission as paramount.
- "...in the land of the Chaldeans.": This phrase places Ezekiel geographically and historically among the exiles in Babylon. It sets the scene for prophecies delivered not within the land of Israel, but during the period of Babylonian captivity, which deeply impacted the theological understanding of God's people.
Ezekiel 21 1 Bonus Section
The prophetic formula, "The word of the LORD came...", is a common opening for many Old Testament prophets. Its consistent usage across different prophetic books (Jeremiah, Isaiah, Amos, etc.) emphasizes the continuity of God's communication with His people throughout history. This phrase signals divine authority and guarantees that the subsequent message is God's own utterance, not mere human wisdom or prediction. For Ezekiel, being both a prophet and a priest imbues his message with a dual authority – he understands the law (as priest) and proclaims God's judgment and restoration (as prophet). His name, "God strengthens," becomes a crucial thematic element in his prophecies as God works to strengthen His people even in their weakened, exiled state. The Babylonian exile (the "land of the Chaldeans") was a severe consequence of Israel's covenant disobedience, and God's word to Ezekiel in this context speaks of judgment but also points towards a future restoration.
Ezekiel 21 1 Commentary
This verse serves as a pivotal introductory statement. It establishes the divine source and ultimate authority of the message that follows. Ezekiel, a man identified by both his priestly heritage and his prophetic calling, is directly commissioned by YHWH. The specific location, the land of the Chaldeans, frames the context of impending judgment and exile for the people of Israel. The use of the prophetic formula assures the audience that this is not human speculation but God's direct communication, intended to bring revelation, conviction, and eventual hope. The weight of "the word of the LORD" is immense, carrying the power to judge and to save.