Ezekiel 21 22

Ezekiel 21:22 kjv

At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.

Ezekiel 21:22 nkjv

In his right hand is the divination for Jerusalem: to set up battering rams, to call for a slaughter, to lift the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to heap up a siege mound, and to build a wall.

Ezekiel 21:22 niv

Into his right hand will come the lot for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to give the command to slaughter, to sound the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp and to erect siege works.

Ezekiel 21:22 esv

Into his right hand comes the divination for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth with murder, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounds, to build siege towers.

Ezekiel 21:22 nlt

The omen in his right hand says, 'Jerusalem!' With battering rams his soldiers will go against the gates, shouting for the kill. They will put up siege towers and build ramps against the walls.

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 22 Meaning

This verse reveals the specific and divinely ordained decision for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to attack Jerusalem, following his pagan divination practices that God supernaturally directed. It details the comprehensive military strategies he was to employ: appointing siege commanders, issuing fierce battle cries signaling imminent slaughter, deploying powerful battering rams against the city gates, constructing extensive siege mounds, and erecting a circumvallation wall to completely isolate and subdue Jerusalem. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human actions and pagan rituals, using them to execute His righteous judgment upon a disobedient Judah.

Ezekiel 21 22 Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy prophetic message in Ezekiel chapter 21, often called the "Sword of the Lord" chapter. The preceding verses (Ezek 21:19-21) set the stage: King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is depicted at a critical juncture, facing a choice between two paths—attacking Rabbah of Ammon or Jerusalem. To make this strategic decision, he consults various pagan forms of divination: shaking arrows, consulting teraphim (household idols used for oracle), and inspecting the liver of an animal. Verse 22 then reveals the decisive outcome of this divination: it points him specifically towards Jerusalem. The subsequent detailed description of Babylonian siege tactics in this verse emphasizes the absolute certainty and comprehensive nature of the coming judgment. Historically, this prophecy foretells the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem that culminated in its destruction in 586 BC, providing an advance divine explanation for Nebuchadnezzar's choices. This highlights God's sovereign hand, not only foretelling the events but also guiding the actions of even pagan rulers and their practices to fulfill His righteous judgments against a faithless people.

Ezekiel 21 22 Word analysis

• At his right hand: Hebrew biyimīnô (בִּֽימִינ֖וֹ). While literally meaning "on his right," in the context of divination and decision-making, it signifies the preferred, designated, or favorable outcome chosen by the lot or oracle. It denotes a clear, unambiguous choice or direction. The choice for Jerusalem was clear.
• was the divination: Hebrew qesem (קֶ֥סֶם). This term refers to pagan forms of fortune-telling or consulting omens (e.g., sortilege, hepatoscopy, necromancy). For Israel, such practices were strictly forbidden as an abomination to Yahweh (Deut 18:10-12). However, here, God allows Nebuchadnezzar to employ these illicit means, and crucially, directs the outcome to achieve His divine purpose of judging Jerusalem. It demonstrates God's sovereignty even over practices he detests.
• for Jerusalem: Hebrew Yᵉrûšālāyim (יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם). The capital of Judah, God's chosen city, now specifically identified as the target of His wrath due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience. The target is precise and personal.
• to appoint captains: Hebrew liśûm (לָשׂ֣וּם), from śûm "to set, place, appoint." This refers to setting up military commanders or siege officers. It indicates an organized, strategic, and disciplined attack rather than a spontaneous raid.
• to open the mouth in the slaughter: Hebrew liphṯōaḥ peh bîtrūʿâ (לִפְתֹּ֣חַ פֶּה בִּתְרוּעָ֔ה). "To open the mouth with a battle cry" or "with shouting." Tərûʿâ often refers to a loud shout, a battle cry, or an alarm sound. Here, it likely signifies the roaring, intimidating cries of the attacking army, initiating the assault and foreshadowing the violent "slaughter" that will ensue. It signals the start of the killing.
• to lift up the voice with shouting: Hebrew lahărîm qôl bitrūʿâ (לְהָרִים קוֹל בִּתְרוּעָֽה). This phrase reinforces the previous one, emphasizing the loud, tumultuous, and terrifying war cries. It suggests a cacophony of shouts, designed to demoralize defenders and energize attackers, indicating the full intensity of the attack.
• to appoint battering rams against the gates: Hebrew lāśûm kārîm ʿal šāʿărîm (לָשׂ֥וּם כָּרִים עַל־שְׁעָרִ֑ים). Kārîm (כָּרִים) refers to large siege engines, specifically battering rams. These were vital tools in ancient siege warfare for breaking down fortified city gates and walls, signifying a direct and forceful attempt to breach defenses.
• to cast up a mound: Hebrew lišpōḵ sōllâ (לִשְׁפֹּךְ סֹלְלָ֖ה). Sōllâ (סֹלְלָה) means a siege ramp or earthen mound. This involved constructing an incline of earth and debris to bring siege engines up to wall height or to provide an elevated assault path for infantry. It illustrates systematic siege engineering.
• to build a siege wall: Hebrew libnôṯ dāyeq (לִבְנוֹת דָּיֵֽק). Dāyeq (דָּיֵק) refers to a circumvallation wall, a wall built by the besieging army around the entire city. Its purpose was to prevent anyone from escaping, receiving aid, or getting supplies, thereby starving the city into submission. It represents total encirclement and isolation.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem": This segment confirms the divine orchestration of events. Despite being pagan practices, God providentially ensured that Nebuchadnezzar's omens pointed definitively and unmistakably to Jerusalem. It emphasizes the certainty of Jerusalem's fate as a direct divine decree.
• "to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting": This trio describes the organized, psychological, and terrifying commencement of the Babylonian assault. It conveys the deliberate intent of the commanders, the shocking battle cries, and the clear signals to engage in brutal warfare, establishing an atmosphere of impending doom and total war.
• "to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast up a mound, to build a siege wall": These phrases detail the physical, methodical, and technologically advanced methods of siege warfare employed by the Babylonians. They describe a comprehensive plan of attack—breaking down barriers, scaling walls, and cutting off escape—leaving Jerusalem with no hope of defense or relief, thereby guaranteeing its eventual downfall.

Ezekiel 21 22 Bonus section

• The Irony of Divine Control: The verse presents a profound irony: Yahweh, the God who explicitly forbade divination among His people, sovereignly manipulated a pagan king's idolatrous divinations to accomplish His own righteous judgment. This highlights God's transcendence and power over all spiritual forces, good or evil, human or pagan.
• A Pre-Written Script for Destruction: The detailed military plan laid out (captains, shouts, rams, mound, siege wall) indicates that the Babylonian assault was not a mere conquest but a divinely "scripted" act of punishment. Every aspect of the siege was predetermined by God, demonstrating the meticulousness of His justice.
• Fulfilment in History: The historical accounts of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 52) perfectly align with the prophetic details given here, providing concrete evidence of the prophecy's accuracy and God's unerring word.
• The Principle of Judgment: This passage establishes a principle that transcends ancient Israel: God uses various means, including powerful external forces (often those hostile to His people or values), as instruments of judgment against persistent sin, even for those who once bore His name. This theme resonates throughout biblical history, including the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70.

Ezekiel 21 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 21:22 paints a vivid and chilling picture of God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem, orchestrating the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar's divination to seal its fate. This passage powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even the sinful, forbidden practices of pagan kings are subject to His divine will. He not only foretold the specific target (Jerusalem) but also meticulously detailed the exact, devastating military tactics that Nebuchadnezzar would employ. The progression from appointing commanders and issuing war cries to deploying battering rams, constructing siege mounds, and erecting a circumvallation wall, outlines a comprehensive, inescapable, and utterly destructive siege. It serves as a stark warning: disobedience to God results in severe, unavoidable judgment, often executed through unexpected and powerful instruments, underscoring the futility of trusting in earthly defenses or hoping against divine decree.