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 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 21:22 | At the incoming of the king of Babylon they came to Jerusalem, at the head of the highways, to the head of the ways... | Ezekiel 21:22 (Context for judgment) |
| Ezekiel 21:23 | And it shall be unto them as the divination of a lie unto them, of those who swear false oaths among them... | Ezekiel 21:23 (False divination) |
| Proverbs 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap; but the disposing thereof is of the LORD. | Proverbs 16:33 (Divine control of lots) |
| Joshua 7:14 | Whosoever is taken he shall be brought according to the tribes thereof; and it shall be the tribe which the LORD shall choose... | Joshua 7:14 (Lots to identify guilt) |
| 1 Samuel 14:42 | And Saul said, Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken. | 1 Samuel 14:42 (Lots to find cause) |
| Acts 1:26 | And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. | Acts 1:26 (Lots for succession) |
| Numbers 26:55 | Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. | Numbers 26:55 (Lots for inheritance) |
| Leviticus 16:8 | And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. | Leviticus 16:8 (Lots for atonement) |
| Jonah 1:7 | And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us... | Jonah 1:7 (Lots to find culprit) |
| Genesis 25:8 | Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. | Genesis 25:8 (Death context) |
| Genesis 38:29 | And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came forth: and she said, How hast thou come forth this way? he said, Because he would not have him called Zer...? | Genesis 38:29 (Lots related to birthright) |
| Nehemiah 7:6 | These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away... | Nehemiah 7:6 (Return from exile) |
| Psalm 22:18 | They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. | Psalm 22:18 (Lots in prophecy) |
| Ecclesiastes 3:1 | To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: | Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Time and purpose) |
| Jeremiah 39:13 | So the chief of the guard hired and sent down, and the captain of the guard and all the men of war of the king of Babylon. | Jeremiah 39:13 (Babylonian conquest) |
| Hosea 8:4 | They have set up kings, but not by me, they have made princes, but I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols... | Hosea 8:4 (Kings not by God) |
| Daniel 9:13 | As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet have we not intreated the favour of the LORD our God... | Daniel 9:13 (Consequences of sin) |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. | Amos 3:7 (God revealing plans) |
| Micah 5:2 | But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler... | Micah 5:2 (Prophecy of ruler) |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 19 Meaning
This verse describes the drawing of lots to determine who should be punished, symbolizing a divine judgment or decision being made through a casting of lots. It highlights a situation of impending consequence, where fate is seemingly being decided by a random process, under God's ultimate sovereignty.
Ezekiel 21 19 Context
Ezekiel 21 is part of a prophecy directed at Jerusalem and Israel concerning the impending Babylonian invasion. The chapter begins with God lamenting the state of the nation, likening them to a fire consuming a land. This particular verse is situated within a section that describes the king of Babylon making decisions by divination. The king of Babylon, preparing to attack Jerusalem, uses divination to decide whether to target Rabbath of the Ammonites or Jerusalem. This action by the Babylonian king is placed within the divine framework of God's judgment on his people for their sins.
Ezekiel 21 19 Word Analysis
- And he shall come: This phrase signifies an action that is about to take place, a movement towards a destination or purpose.
- to the head: This denotes the chief point, the entrance, or the beginning of something, like a crossroads or a destination.
- of the parting: This refers to a place where paths divide, a fork in the road, signifying choice or a decision point.
- of the ways: This relates to roads or routes, indicating paths that can be taken.
- to make: This indicates the act of performing or executing something.
- divination: This refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means, such as casting lots or interpreting signs. In this context, it describes the pagan method used by the Babylonian king.
- with one head: This implies a singular destination or a focused intention, pointing to a chosen path.
- to use: To employ or make use of.
- right hand: Symbolically represents action, direction, or choice.
- with the other: Indicating the alternative option, the second choice.
- in his left hand: Symbolically represents the other option or choice.
- to set: To place or establish something.
- idols: Images or representations worshipped as gods. This refers to the pagan practice of consulting idols for guidance.
- or: A conjunction used to present alternatives.
- to put: To place or position.
- in his tables: This can refer to writing materials, or more symbolically, the plans or records on which decisions are inscribed, like a diagram or a chart used in divination. It implies a structured or recorded method.
- for the uncleanness: Refers to the impurity or sinfulness that makes one unfit, or the abominable objects used in pagan rituals.
Words Group Analysis
- "head of the parting of the ways to make divination": This group of words describes the act of consulting by means of lot at a place where choices are made. It's a visualization of decision-making at a critical junction, using means considered supernatural by those performing it.
- "with one head, with the other": This contrasts the two alternative outcomes or paths identified by the divination. The Babylonian king has two possible targets (Rabbath or Jerusalem) and uses divination to choose between them.
- "to set idols, or to put in his tables for the uncleanness": This explains the methods of divination employed, highlighting pagan practices of consulting idols or inscribed charts/plans, both of which were considered abominations in God's sight.
Ezekiel 21 19 Bonus Section
The concept of casting lots to determine God's will or to assign responsibility was present in ancient Israelite practice, but strictly within prescribed boundaries (e.g., dividing land, choosing sacrificial animals, selecting officials). However, the pagan divination mentioned here, employing idols or inscribed plans, is presented as a perversion of genuine divine guidance. It serves as a stark contrast between true reliance on God and the misguided attempts of surrounding nations (and implicitly, Israel's past temptations) to tap into supernatural powers through forbidden means. The scene highlights how even the actions of kings and nations, guided by flawed spiritual systems, are ultimately within God's sovereign plan of judgment and restoration.
Ezekiel 21 19 Commentary
This verse reveals that the king of Babylon employed divination, specifically casting lots, to decide whether to attack Rabbath or Jerusalem. The use of the "right hand" and "left hand" signifies the decisive nature of this lot casting. Such practices are presented as abhorrent to God ("uncleanness"). However, Ezekiel simultaneously underscores God's overarching sovereignty. While the king of Babylon thinks he is using his own divination, God is the one guiding the outcome. This emphasizes that no earthly power, not even their pagan methods, operates outside of God's control. It’s a prophetic declaration that despite human attempts to manipulate fate, God’s judgment would fall as He ordained. The ultimate "drawing of lots" was indeed for Jerusalem's destruction, a fulfillment of God's decree due to their sins.