Ezekiel 21 23

Ezekiel 21:23 kjv

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

Ezekiel 21:23 nkjv

And it will be to them like a false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn oaths with them; but he will bring their iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.

Ezekiel 21:23 niv

It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.

Ezekiel 21:23 esv

But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.

Ezekiel 21:23 nlt

The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 23 Meaning

This verse prophesies impending destruction and scattering, emphasizing divine judgment against a wicked nation. It highlights the arrows of God being aimed at the chief offenders, symbolizing divine arrows of war and ruin. The outcome is a decision revealed through divination, a common practice used by ancient Near Eastern peoples to discern the will of the gods or to predict the outcome of events. This action signifies that the impending doom is a divinely ordained and deliberate act.

Ezekiel 21 23 Context

Ezekiel chapter 21 vividly describes the impending judgment of God upon Jerusalem and Judah. The chapter opens with God instructing Ezekiel to prophesy against the land of Israel, pointing his face towards Jerusalem. The oracle uses potent imagery of a sharp sword, gleaming and polished, to represent the coming Babylonian invasion. The sword is described as being whetted and made ready for slaughter, a terror to all the inhabitants. Ezekiel emphasizes that God's judgment is universal, extending to the righteous and the wicked alike, as indicated by the removal of both. The verse in question specifically addresses the practice of divination used by the Babylonian kings, who would cast lots using arrows to determine their course of action, particularly in warfare. God declares that this method will be used against Judah.

Ezekiel 21 23 Word Analysis

• "And it shall come to pass..." (Hebrew: וְהָיָה, vəhāyâ) - A common introductory phrase in Hebrew narrative, signifying an event that will occur. It marks the progression of the prophetic message.
• "...in that day..." (Hebrew: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyōm hahû') - Refers to a specific future time, often denoting a time of significant divine action, usually judgment or deliverance.
• "...that the king of Babylon shall stand..." (Hebrew: הַמֶּלֶךְ בָּבֶל יַעֲמֹד, hammeleḵ Bāḇel yaʿamōd) - Refers to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, the agent of God's judgment. His "standing" implies his readiness and authority to execute the divine decree.
• "...at the parting of the way..." (Hebrew: עַל רֹאשׁ הַדֶּרֶךְ, ʿal rōʾš haddereḵ) - Literally "upon the head of the way." This refers to a crossroads, a place where a decision must be made or a direction taken. Symbolically, it represents the critical juncture facing Jerusalem.
• "...at the head of the two ways..." (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנַיִם דְּרָכִים, rōʾš hasannayim dərāḵîm) - Reinforces the imagery of a crucial decision point.
• "...to use divination..." (Hebrew: לִקְסוֹם, liḵsom) - This Hebrew verb relates to practicing divination or sorcery. In the ancient Near East, divination was a common means of seeking guidance or determining the will of deities for future actions.
• "...he shall cast lots..." (Hebrew: יִטְלֹשׁ בְּחִצָּיו, yiṭlōš bəḥiṣṣāw) - "Yiṭlōš" here likely means to shoot or cast lots with arrows, a practice known as rhabdomancy or scrying with arrows which was prevalent among some ancient Near Eastern peoples, including the Babylonians. The arrows were typically marked or un-marked, and the manner in which they fell would reveal the answer to a question.
• "...he shall consult the images..." (Hebrew: יִפְשׁוֹט תְּרָפִים, yiṗəšōṭ tərāpîm) - "Teraphim" are often rendered as household gods or images used for divination. "Yiṗəšōṭ" implies to stretch out, display, or consult these objects. This points to idolatrous means of seeking direction.
• "...he shall look upon the liver..." (Hebrew: עַל־כְּבֵד לֵב, ʿal-ḵəḇêd lēḇ) - This refers to hepatoscopy, a prominent form of divination in Mesopotamian cultures. The examination of the liver of a sacrificed animal was believed to reveal the intentions of the gods.

Word Group Analysis:

• "The king of Babylon shall stand... to use divination... he shall cast lots... he shall consult the images... he shall look upon the liver." This entire phrase describes the action of Nebuchadnezzar as he prepares to invade and conquer. It highlights his reliance on pagan divination methods, portraying him as an instrument used by God, despite his own misguided reliance on false gods. It emphasizes God's sovereignty over all nations and their practices.

Ezekiel 21 23 Bonus Section

The verse touches upon the ethical concerns surrounding divination within the biblical worldview. While not explicitly condemned in this specific verse, the broader biblical perspective consistently warns against consulting mediums, sorcerers, and diviners, associating them with practices displeasing to God (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). Ezekiel's prophecy, however, showcases that God can co-opt such practices for His own judgment. This does not endorse divination but demonstrates God's ultimate power to override and use any means to execute His plan. It highlights a theological paradox: God's sovereignty over human actions, even sinful or misguided ones, and His ability to bring about His will through the agents He chooses, whether they are aware of His purpose or not. The choice of Jerusalem's "head of the way" also connects to Jesus as the "way" in the New Testament (John 14:6), presenting a stark contrast between seeking guidance from God's appointed Christ and seeking it from pagan rituals.

Ezekiel 21 23 Commentary

Ezekiel 21:23 is a striking prophecy that reveals God's sovereign control even over the superstitious practices of pagan rulers. Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty king of Babylon, is depicted as coming to a crucial crossroads, uncertain of the path forward. He resorts to common Mesopotamian divination techniques: casting lots with arrows and consulting idols or examining the liver of sacrificed animals. These were attempts to discern divine will through occult means. However, the text asserts that God orchestrates these actions. The "arrows" are God's, and the "divination" is ultimately directed by Him to reveal His judgment against Judah for its sins. This verse serves to illustrate that while nations and their leaders may trust in their own methods, God directs the course of history to fulfill His purposes, even using the wickedness and misguided practices of others as His instruments. The imagery is powerful: the king's arrows, intended to strike his enemies, become the very means by which God's judgment is confirmed and enacted.