Ezekiel 21:14 kjv
Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together. and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
Ezekiel 21:14 nkjv
"You therefore, son of man, prophesy, And strike your hands together. The third time let the sword do double damage. It is the sword that slays, The sword that slays the great men, That enters their private chambers.
Ezekiel 21:14 niv
"So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times. It is a sword for slaughter? a sword for great slaughter, closing in on them from every side.
Ezekiel 21:14 esv
"As for you, son of man, prophesy. Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter, which surrounds them,
Ezekiel 21:14 nlt
"Son of man, prophesy to them
and clap your hands.
Then take the sword and brandish it twice,
even three times,
to symbolize the great massacre,
the great massacre facing them on every side.
Ezekiel 21 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 21:9 | "...I will draw my sword out of its sheath..." | Declares intent for judgment |
| Jeremiah 47:6 | "O sword of the LORD, how long will you be restrained..." | Sword as an instrument of God's wrath |
| Jeremiah 51:20 | "You are my battle axe and weapons of war..." | Nations used as God's tools |
| Isaiah 10:5-6 | "O Assyrian, the rod of my anger..." | God using nations for discipline |
| Psalm 17:13 | "Let my enemies be clad in shame and wear disgrace as a robe." | Divine justice and retribution |
| Revelation 19:15 | "From his mouth comes a sharp sword..." | Christ's authority and judgment |
| Hebrews 4:12 | "For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword..." | Word of God as a powerful instrument |
| Deuteronomy 32:41 | "When I sharpen my flashing sword and extend my hand in judgment..." | God's active role in judgment |
| Jeremiah 2:3 | "Therefore I will bring disaster upon them..." | Consequences of disobedience |
| Isaiah 34:5-6 | "For my sword has been drenched in heaven; see how it descends upon Edom..." | Heavenly sword for earthly judgment |
| Lamentations 2:4 | "He bent his bow and set me as a target for his arrow." | God as the source of affliction |
| Hosea 11:6 | "The sword will flash in their cities..." | Fulfillment of judgment on Israel |
| Joel 2:28-29 | "...I will pour out my Spirit on all people..." | Contrasting judgment with future hope |
| Amos 7:1 | "This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing to send a swarm of locusts..." | Visions of judgment |
| Psalm 7:12-13 | "God is not a god of chaos but of order." | God's deliberate judgment |
| Proverbs 25:21-22 | "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat..." | Contrasting human response with divine judgment |
| Zephaniah 2:12 | "You too will be slain by the sword of the LORD..." | Judgment on other nations as well |
| Matthew 26:52 | "Put your sword back in its place..." | Jesus rejecting human violence |
| John 18:36 | "My kingdom is not of this world..." | Divine authority vs. earthly powers |
| 2 Corinthians 10:4 | "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world..." | Spiritual warfare, not physical |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 14 Meaning
This verse proclaims God's judgment upon the nation of Israel. It declares that a sword has been sharpened and made ready for a terrible slaughter. This judgment is specifically appointed and designed to be used for destruction, aimed at making a great slaughter, a polished sword for sacrifice.
Ezekiel 21 14 Context
Ezekiel chapter 21 is set during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, a time of extreme distress for the people of Judah. God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to communicate the imminent and inevitable destruction of Jerusalem and its inhabitants. This verse is part of a prophetic oracle that uses the imagery of a drawn and sharpened sword to convey the severity and divine nature of the coming judgment. The oracle personifies the sword of the Lord, highlighting its divinely appointed purpose and lethality. The historical context is critical to understanding the weight of God's pronouncements against His own people for their continued idolatry and rebellion.
Ezekiel 21 14 Word analysis
- "How then shall we treat it?"
- (Hebrew: "אֵיךְ, נוֹפִינוּ לָהּ"; transliteration: eikh, nofinu lah?)
- This rhetorical question expresses confusion or perhaps disbelief regarding the ultimate disposition of the sharpened sword. It questions the final outcome of this divinely wielded weapon.
- "The sword!
- (Hebrew: "חֶרֶב"; transliteration: cherev)
- Directly names the instrument of destruction. The repetition emphasizes its central role in the judgment.
- "A sword,
- (Hebrew: "חֶרֶב"; transliteration: cherev)
- Second instance of the word for sword, reinforcing its significance.
- "It is sharpened
- (Hebrew: "חֻדְּדָה"; transliteration: chuddĕdah)
- Passive participle from châdad (to sharpen). Indicates readiness and peak efficacy.
- "To make a great slaughter;"
- (Hebrew: "לְמַעֲלָל"; transliteration: lema'alah)
- Derived from 'âlál (to do, to make). Refers to a great deed or act, in this context, an act of widespread destruction.
- "It is prepared for the killing.
- (Hebrew: "וְלִרְשֹׁם"; transliteration: verishom)
- From râsham (to sharpen, to whet). This phrase underscores the purposeful and decisive nature of the judgment.
- "It is made ready to catch."
- (Hebrew: "וְנֹתָן"; transliteration: venotån)
- From nâthan (to give, to put). The idea is that the sword is put into the hands of the slayer, ready to grasp or take.
- "To wield it"
- (Hebrew: "וּמִלְטַשׁ"; transliteration: vĕmillatash)
- From malatash (polished, burnished). Describes the sword's keenness and readiness for effective use, like a polished tool. It speaks of it being ready to be grasped, to smite.
Ezekiel 21 14 Bonus section
The phrase "polished to sparkle like lightning" is sometimes associated with similar Hebrew wording in other contexts. While not explicitly in this verse, the concept of a bright, gleaming sword speaks to the terrifying beauty and efficiency of God's judgment when it is executed. The sword is not merely a destructive force but an instrument of divine justice that will be clearly and unmistakably seen in its effect, like lightning that flashes brightly across the sky. The verse emphasizes that God’s judgment is prepared and intentional, serving as a stark warning of the consequences of sin and disobedience.
Ezekiel 21 14 Commentary
The rhetorical question, "How then shall we treat it?", is met by the stark reality: "The sword!" God’s judgment is not an abstract concept but a tangible force represented by this sharp, ready, and devastating sword. This sword is divinely prepared and polished, destined for a great slaughter. It is not an accidental event but a divinely ordained act of punishment, poised to strike decisively. The imagery highlights God’s sovereignty over even instruments of war and destruction, asserting that they are wielded according to His will and for His purposes, in this instance, to exact retribution upon His unfaithful people. The polished nature implies that the judgment is sharp, precise, and devastatingly effective, leaving no room for escape.