Ezekiel 21 12

Ezekiel 21:12 kjv

Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.

Ezekiel 21:12 nkjv

"Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh.

Ezekiel 21:12 niv

Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the princes of Israel. They are thrown to the sword along with my people. Therefore beat your breast.

Ezekiel 21:12 esv

Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people. It is against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. Strike therefore upon your thigh.

Ezekiel 21:12 nlt

"Son of man, cry out and wail;
pound your thighs in anguish,
for that sword will slaughter my people and their leaders ?
everyone will die!

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 12 Meaning

This verse from Ezekiel vividly depicts a divine decree of judgment against Jerusalem, using the imagery of a sword being drawn and polished. It signifies an imminent and terrible destruction, prepared by God for the nation due to their sins. The repeated actions emphasize the thoroughness and finality of this judgment.

Ezekiel 21 12 Context

Ezekiel 21 is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Jerusalem and the surrounding nations. The specific focus is on the imminent Babylonian conquest. This chapter begins with a lament and then declares God's judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. The imagery of the drawn, sharpened, and polished sword is central to conveying the destructive power of the Babylonian army, referred to as the "sword of the LORD." This sword is poised for slaughter, ready to strike the unrepentant people of Judah. The surrounding nations are also addressed, acknowledging the judgment falling upon them as well, as Babylon's might expands. The immediate context is the period leading up to the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, a devastating event that significantly impacted the identity and faith of the Israelites.

Ezekiel 21 12 Word Analysis

• “The word of the LORD”: This opening phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the message. It is not Ezekiel's opinion but a direct communication from God. This bolsters the authority and seriousness of the prophecy. (Hebrew: davar YHWH)

• “came to me”: Indicates that Ezekiel is the recipient and messenger of God's revelation. It highlights his role as a prophet.

• “saying,”: Introduces the specific message being delivered.

• “Son of man,”: A recurring title for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and connection to the people of Israel, yet also highlighting his special role as God's representative.

• “Sword, sword, sharpened and also polished—":

  • "Sword": (Hebrew: cherev) The primary image. It represents destruction, war, and execution. The repetition intensifies the message.
  • "sharpened": (Hebrew: chaduwdah) Refers to being honed to a fine edge, made ready for efficient cutting. It speaks of preparedness for effective action.
  • "also polished": (Hebrew: mequqqalath) Suggests not only sharpness but also a gleaming, ready-for-action appearance. It implies it is fully equipped and gleaming with destructive potential. This implies a weapon of state, used with skill.

• “to slaughter, it is polished to flash”:

  • "to slaughter": (Hebrew: l'miquq / l'qatol) The purpose of the sword. It is prepared for lethal action, for taking life.
  • "to flash": (Hebrew: l'haznegh) Refers to its gleaming, reflecting light. This makes it visually terrifying and announces its coming. It is intended to be seen and feared before it strikes.

• Words-group analysis:

  • The repetition of "sword" conveys the totality of the impending destruction. It's not just an attack but a consuming force.
  • The dual actions of "sharpened" and "polished" emphasize that the instrument of judgment is divinely prepared and exquisitely honed. It is ready and capable of executing God's wrath with precision.
  • The phrases "to slaughter" and "to flash" together communicate the unavoidable and terrifying nature of the coming invasion, both its destructive intent and its horrifying appearance.

Ezekiel 21 12 Bonus Section

The concept of God using a foreign nation as an instrument of judgment is a recurring theme in the Old Testament prophets. For instance, Assyria was called "the rod of my anger" in Isaiah 10:5, and Babylon later served a similar role. This practice demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty not only over Israel but over all the nations. He can mobilize armies and direct historical events to fulfill His purposes. The "sword of the LORD" here is not just the Babylonian army in a vacuum but the army as God's empowered agent of retribution. This concept is mirrored in the New Testament, where Christ's judgment upon sin and rebellion is often described with military imagery, such as the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph 6:17), which is God's Word, capable of discerning thoughts and intentions, and ultimately used in divine justice.

Ezekiel 21 12 Commentary

The declaration of a sharpened and polished sword is a powerful metaphor for the impending Babylonian invasion. God is portrayed as preparing an instrument of war, meticulously readying it for the execution of His judgment against sinful Jerusalem. This is not an arbitrary act but a deliberate process. The sword represents the Chaldean army, which God commissioned and equipped to carry out His wrath against Judah's transgressions. The imagery stresses the inevitability and severity of the coming destruction, emphasizing that nothing will prevent its completion. It’s a terrifying announcement, underscoring God's sovereign power over nations and His justice in dealing with sin.