Ezekiel 21 19

Ezekiel 21:19 kjv

Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

Ezekiel 21:19 nkjv

"And son of man, appoint for yourself two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to go; both of them shall go from the same land. Make a sign; put it at the head of the road to the city.

Ezekiel 21:19 niv

"Son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same country. Make a signpost where the road branches off to the city.

Ezekiel 21:19 esv

"As for you, son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. Both of them shall come from the same land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to a city.

Ezekiel 21:19 nlt

"Son of man, make a map and trace two routes on it for the sword of Babylon's king to follow. Put a signpost on the road that comes out of Babylon where the road forks into two ?

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 19 Meaning

Ezekiel 21:19 portrays a dramatic prophetic act where the prophet is instructed to symbolically depict a critical military decision point. God commands Ezekiel to lay out two distinct paths that the "sword of the king of Babylon" will take, originating from a single point. Ezekiel is to mark a prominent signpost at a strategic junction, signifying the divergence of these paths toward different cities. This verse sets the stage for God's demonstration of His absolute sovereignty over nations and their leaders, orchestrating even the movements and decisions of the formidable Babylonian army for His divine judgment. It emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest is not merely a geopolitical expansion but an execution of God's predetermined will.

Ezekiel 21 19 Context

Ezekiel 21 is known as the "Prophecy of the Sword of the Lord," declaring impending judgment on Judah and its leadership. Prior to this verse, Ezekiel delivers a message from God about a sharpened, polished sword poised for slaughter (v. 8-17), representing Babylon's army. This sword, unlike others, is not for playful waving but for devastating judgment.

Verse 19 introduces a crucial prophetic drama to clarify where this divine sword will strike first. Nebuchadnezzar, as God's instrument, stands at a strategic crossroads, and God is guiding his choice. The surrounding context (v. 18-23) explains that this decision is between Jerusalem (Judah's capital) and Rabbah (the capital of Ammon). This specific command for Ezekiel to mark two ways highlights God's active involvement in the unfolding historical events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. It also touches upon the broader theme of judgment upon surrounding nations that gloated over Judah's downfall.

Ezekiel 21 19 Word analysis

• Also, son of man (וְאַתָּה בֶן־אָדָם, ve'attah ben-Adam):

  • Also: Connects this new instruction directly to the preceding prophecies of the divine sword.
  • son of man: This is God's consistent address to Ezekiel, appearing over ninety times. It emphasizes Ezekiel's human nature in contrast to the divine majesty, yet also denotes his prophetic commission and authority as a representative of humanity before God.

• appoint two ways (עֲשֵׂה לְךָ שְׁתַּיִם דְּרָכִים, ‘aseh lekha sh'tayim d'rakhim):

  • appoint: More accurately "make for yourself" or "prepare." It implies a tangible, illustrative act by Ezekiel, creating a visual aid for the prophecy.
  • two ways: (שְׁתַּיִם דְּרָכִים, sh'tayim d'rakhim). Literally "two roads/paths." This is a symbolic depiction of a branching military route, but prophetically represents the two primary targets that Nebuchadnezzar would consider. It signifies a point of choice, though one directed by God.

• for the sword of the king of Babylon to come:

  • the sword (חֶרֶב, ḥereb): A potent metaphor for warfare, military conquest, and divine judgment. In this chapter, the sword is polished and sharpened for slaughter, reflecting Babylon's irresistible force as God's tool.
  • the king of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar. He is portrayed as God's instrument, his actions entirely subjected to God's will. His impressive military strength is merely the physical manifestation of God's judgment.

• both of them shall come forth from the same land:

  • same land (אֶרֶץ אֶחָת, eretz echat): Refers to the point of origin for the Babylonian army's movement—presumably from Babylon itself, or a staging area within its domain. This underscores that regardless of the initial target, the unified force of judgment originates from one source directed by God.

• And mark out a signpost: (מַגַּד־דֶּרֶךְ סִמַּן דְּרָכִים, maggad-dereḵ siman-drākhim - "a signpost for ways," a "marker of roads")

  • mark out a signpost: Ezekiel is instructed to create a literal or metaphorical sign, a clear indicator where the choice is to be made. This is an explicit act of public demonstration, emphasizing the inevitability and visibility of the coming events.

• mark it at the head of the way to the city:

  • head of the way: (רֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ, ro'sh dereḵ) Refers to a crossroads, a junction where paths diverge. This is the strategic point where Nebuchadnezzar would decide his primary objective.
  • to the city: (עִיר, ‘ir) Singular, but clearly implying two distinct cities, Jerusalem and Rabbah of Ammon, which are specified in the subsequent verses (v. 20). This sets up the immediate tension of the decision.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "appoint two ways... from the same land": This phrase highlights God's strategic planning behind the Babylonian campaign. It wasn't random conquest; God was guiding the deployment of His judgment. Both targets were always within His sovereign foresight and intention.
  • "the sword of the king of Babylon... mark out a signpost": The contrast here is crucial. The unstoppable, human force (sword of Babylon) is depicted as acting upon divine direction. The prophet's simple act of "marking" is an indicator of the mighty God, revealing that the choices of kings are not independent, but instruments in the hand of the Divine. The human agent of destruction follows a path prepared and signed by God's prophet.

Ezekiel 21 19 Bonus section

The concept of "two ways" here (שְׁתַּיִם דְּרָכִים, sh'tayim d'rakhim) carries more than just geographical meaning; it subtly invokes a theological motif prevalent throughout the Old Testament: the choice between two destinies, two covenants, or two moral paths. While in Ezekiel 21 it refers to two literal cities (Jerusalem and Rabbah of Ammon, detailed in verse 20), the prophet often employs such dualisms to underscore divine choices and their consequences. God presents these options not to Nebuchadnezzar for a free, undirected choice, but as the manifestation of two pre-determined paths of divine judgment, one against apostate Judah and the other against a prideful pagan neighbor.

The "head of the way" or crossroads (רֹאשׁ דֶּרֶךְ, ro'sh dereḵ) is a pivotal setting in prophetic literature, often symbolizing a point of decision, crisis, or revelation. Jeremiah (Jer 6:16) similarly urges the people to "stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths," inviting them to choose a path of righteousness. Here, Ezekiel is essentially making visible God's directive at such a crossroads for Nebuchadnezzar, showing that the fate of these two major cities hung upon a divinely choreographed decision at this junction. The physical act of marking a signpost highlights that God is meticulously guiding the military might of empires to execute His precise plan of justice upon both His disobedient people and the ungodly nations around them. This level of control underscores God's active involvement in human history, often through the choices and actions of ungodly rulers.

Ezekiel 21 19 Commentary

Ezekiel 21:19 is a prophetic command given to Ezekiel to enact a powerful parable for his audience, signifying God's precise and deliberate use of Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment. God instructs Ezekiel to illustrate a critical moment: Nebuchadnezzar's military force, "the sword of the king of Babylon," advancing from a unified starting point, reaches a crossroads where it must choose between two targets. The act of "marking out a signpost" emphasizes that this choice is not left to chance or human discretion, but is orchestrated and foreknown by God. While the king of Babylon might employ divination methods (as mentioned in subsequent verses), his eventual decision, and the path his army takes, is firmly within God's sovereign plan. This verse demonstrates that all of history, including the seemingly independent actions of powerful rulers and devastating wars, are under the direct, minute control of the Lord for the fulfillment of His purposes. This serves as a stark warning to Israel that their judgment is inevitable and divinely ordained, while also proclaiming God's ultimate authority over all nations.

• Examples:
  • Divine Orchestration: Just as God guided Babylon's army, He guides nations today. A nation rising or falling can be God using them for His purposes, sometimes in judgment or in preparation for spiritual revival.
  • Hidden Hand: Even when we face seemingly random or overwhelming challenges in our personal lives, God often works behind the scenes, setting the "two ways" or redirecting the "sword" for His ultimate redemptive purpose, bringing us to a specific point for decision or growth.
  • Prophetic Warning: This vivid prophecy reminds believers to heed God's warnings about sin and consequences, knowing that His judgment is not arbitrary but flows from His justice and His long-suffering calls to repentance.