Ezekiel 21:10 kjv
It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
Ezekiel 21:10 nkjv
Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter, Polished to flash like lightning! Should we then make mirth? It despises the scepter of My son, As it does all wood.
Ezekiel 21:10 niv
sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! "?'Shall we rejoice in the scepter of my royal son? The sword despises every such stick.
Ezekiel 21:10 esv
sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! (Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood.)
Ezekiel 21:10 nlt
It is sharpened for terrible slaughter
and polished to flash like lightning!
Now will you laugh?
Those far stronger than you have fallen beneath its power!
Ezekiel 21 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 21:10 | Cut off the righteous with the wicked. | Obadiah 1:15 (Judgment falls on all) |
| Jeremiah 7:15 | Rejected the people of Jerusalem. | Jeremiah 19:3 (Judgment on Judah) |
| Jeremiah 52:13 | Destroyed the temple and the city. | 2 Kings 25:8-10 (Nebuchadnezzar's destruction) |
| Isaiah 5:24 | Despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. | Isaiah 10:5-6 (Assyria as God's instrument) |
| Psalm 11:5 | The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked. | Genesis 18:23-32 (Abraham pleads for Sodom) |
| Genesis 7:23 | All flesh died that moved on earth. | Matthew 24:37-39 (Noah's flood) |
| Luke 13:1-3 | Repent or perish. | Luke 13:4-5 (The vineyard) |
| Romans 2:6 | God will render to each according to his deeds. | Revelation 20:12 (Judgment based on works) |
| 2 Peter 3:7 | Held in store for the day of judgment. | Isaiah 24:1-6 (World judgment) |
| Jeremiah 25:30-31 | The LORD will roar from on high. | Joel 3:16 (Voice of God from Zion) |
| Leviticus 26:17 | Enemies will rule over you. | Deuteronomy 28:25 (Defeat in battle) |
| Numbers 14:33 | Your children shall be wanderers. | Psalm 107:40 (Wandering in wilderness) |
| Proverbs 1:31 | Eat the fruit of their way. | Proverbs 12:14 (Rewarded according to their words) |
| Amos 6:10 | Is it lawful to summon and strike? | Zechariah 11:17 (Woe to the worthless shepherd) |
| Hosea 5:14 | I will tear them in pieces. | Psalm 2:9 (Break them with a rod of iron) |
| Habakkuk 1:13 | Cannot look on evil. | Revelation 15:4 (Fear before the Lord) |
| Revelation 1:7 | Every eye will see him. | Matthew 24:30 (Son of Man appearing) |
| Revelation 19:11-16 | Riding on a white horse. | John 12:48 (Word judges in the last day) |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 10 Meaning
The verse signifies a severe judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah, represented by a drawn sword, unsheathed and sharpened for slaughter and destruction. This divine instrument of wrath is poised for execution, intended to cut off the righteous and the wicked alike, demonstrating the pervasive nature of the coming devastation. The intent is to strike from God's hand.
Ezekiel 21 10 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy directed at Jerusalem and Judah during the Babylonian exile. The chapter uses the imagery of a sharpened, glittering sword drawn against Israel. The sword is being prepared by God to enact His judgment upon His rebellious people for their sins. Historically, this prophecy was delivered during a time when Jerusalem was under siege by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The message served as a warning and an explanation of the impending destruction, emphasizing that it was a divine punishment for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The context highlights the complete devastation that will come upon the land, sparing neither the innocent nor the guilty in the severity of the purging.
Ezekiel 21 10 Word Analysis
- "And it is sharpened": (Hebrew: וּמָחַדַּת, u'māḥaḏaṯ) - This verb signifies making sharp or honing. It emphasizes the preparation of the sword for effective and decisive action, indicating God's readiness to execute judgment.
- "to be bright": (Hebrew: לְהַבְּהִיק, ləhaḇhĕḇîq) - This means to gleam or to be made bright, polished. It conveys the visual impact of the sword, shining in readiness, a terrifying sight reflecting the splendor and terrifying power of divine judgment.
- "to consume": (Hebrew: לְבִלַּע, ləḇil·la‘) - This means to devour, swallow up, or consume. It illustrates the thoroughness of the destruction, leaving nothing intact. The judgment will completely annihilate.
- "that it may flash": (Hebrew: לְהִתְעוֹשֵׁשׁ, ləhitʿōššêš) - This verb suggests flashing or sparkling, further enhancing the image of the weapon's deadly readiness. It signifies swift and decisive action.
- "or to be ready": (Hebrew: אִם־מוּכָן, im-mûḵān) - This means prepared or ready. It reiterates the theme of preparedness for execution.
- "to cause a slaughter": (Hebrew: לְבַלַּע, ləḇalla‘ or לִבְלֹעַ, liḇ·lō‘a‘) - Again referring to consumption or swallowing, this phrase emphasizes the large-scale killing intended.
- "or that it may devour": (Hebrew: וּלְמִרְצֵחַ, u'ləmirṣēaḥ) - Though "devour" is a more common meaning for balăʻ, the presence of the following word miqrāḥ points to slaughter. The emphasis is on lethal execution.
- "Most vigorous": (Hebrew: יִבְרַח, yibrāḥ is not present. It is actually lammərōaḥ, meaning to go to and fro or sweep. The English translation "most vigorous" might be an interpretation of the action, but the Hebrew emphasizes movement and sweeping across.) Or referring to the instrument of slaughter (mirṣēaḥ), this implies effectiveness and intensity.
- "Shall I make it mock the rod": (Hebrew: הֲנַעֲנּוּ בְמַקְצֵר, ha·na·‘ă·nū·māq·ṣer) - This phrasing is complex. The "rod" likely refers to the scepter of the rulers of Judah. To mock the rod implies rendering their authority and power useless, as God's judgment will supersede their own.
- "Or its strength against the supports": (Hebrew: וְאוֹ־ בְמוֹסַר, wə·’ō·ḇə·mō·sar) - Môṯāḥ or mō·sar can refer to supports or restraints. This implies that the sword, representing divine judgment, will break through and overcome any defense or strength that the city or its people possess.
Word Group Analysis:
The verse's repetitive use of verbs associated with sharpness, flashing, consumption, and slaughter (māḥaḏaṯ, haḇhĕḇîq, bal·la‘, mirṣēaḥ) creates a powerful, almost relentless imagery. This barrage of action verbs underscores the unstoppable nature and thoroughness of God's judgment. The repeated reference to "slaughter" and "devour" paints a vivid picture of the total annihilation awaiting Jerusalem. The dual questioning ("Shall I make it mock... Or its strength...") emphasizes that the judgment is multifaceted and will impact every aspect of Judah's existence, negating their power and overcoming their defenses.
Ezekiel 21 10 Bonus Section
The chapter continues by describing how the sword will be sent against Judah. Verse 12 uses the phrase "Cry and wail, son of man, for it is against my people." This underscores the prophet's empathetic sorrow over the coming judgment, even while delivering God's decree. The sword's movement is likened to lightning, a powerful symbol of speed and destructive force. The text also highlights the dual-purpose of this judgment: not only to bring destruction but also to prove the efficacy of the prophet's words and God's judgment (Ezekiel 21:8, 17). The "rod" that is mocked can also be understood as God’s rod of correction, which Judah had become unresponsive to. The sword, therefore, represents a final, punitive rod.
Ezekiel 21 10 Commentary
Ezekiel 21:10 graphically illustrates the severity and totality of God's judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah. The imagery of the drawn and sharpened sword, flashing and ready for consumption and slaughter, conveys an inescapable and devastating punishment. This is not a minor reprimand but a complete purging. The prophecy speaks to a comprehensive destruction that will fall upon both the innocent and the guilty, highlighting that in times of widespread rebellion against God, judgment often falls broadly. The verse reveals God as the active agent, wielding this sword of destruction. It warns that no defenses or the authority of human rulers (symbolized by the "rod") will be able to withstand or nullify the execution of His decree. The language emphasizes God’s deliberate preparation and the complete efficacy of the judgment He is bringing forth against His covenant people for their deep-seated unfaithfulness.