Ezekiel 21 28

Ezekiel 21:28 kjv

And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:

Ezekiel 21:28 nkjv

"And you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach,' and say: 'A sword, a sword is drawn, Polished for slaughter, For consuming, for flashing?

Ezekiel 21:28 niv

"And you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says about the Ammonites and their insults: "?'A sword, a sword, drawn for the slaughter, polished to consume and to flash like lightning!

Ezekiel 21:28 esv

"And you, son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach; say, A sword, a sword is drawn for the slaughter. It is polished to consume and to flash like lightning ?

Ezekiel 21:28 nlt

"And now, son of man, prophesy concerning the Ammonites and their mockery. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: "A sword, a sword
is drawn for your slaughter.
It is polished to destroy,
flashing like lightning!

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 28 Meaning

This verse conveys a solemn divine pronouncement delivered through the prophet Ezekiel to the Ammonites. It declares that the Lord God has taken notice of their malicious "reproach"—their taunting, gloating, and perhaps exploitative actions against Judah in its time of distress. Consequently, God's judgment, personified as a swift and fearsome "sword," is now drawn and sharpened for devastating slaughter. The "glittering" refers either to the terrifying, readiness of this sword, poised to strike, or, less commonly, to the deceptive gleam of the Ammonites' own idols or false confidence that is about to be consumed.

Ezekiel 21 28 Context

Ezekiel 21 is a prophetic oracle delivered to a nation grappling with the reality and imminence of judgment. The chapter begins with a pervasive "Sword Prophecy" (v. 3-7) symbolizing God's devastating judgment first upon the land of Israel itself, followed by specific pronouncements against the Ammonites (v. 28-32). This specific verse marks a transition in the prophet's message, shifting the focus of divine wrath from Judah to its malicious neighbor, Ammon. Historically, Ammon had been a constant antagonist to Israel, frequently harassing, invading, and mocking them (Judg 11, 1 Sam 11, 2 Sam 10). Their "reproach" at Judah's downfall during the Babylonian siege, mentioned here, signified not merely Schadenfreude but active delight in Israel's calamity, which was interpreted by God as a direct offense against His chosen people and implicitly against Him.

Ezekiel 21 28 Word analysis

• And thou, son of man (וְאַתָּה בֶן-אָדָם, və’attāh ben-’ādām)
  • This common prophetic address identifies Ezekiel as a mortal messenger of divine truth. It contrasts his human frailty with the immense power and authority of the One who commissions him, highlighting the absolute divine origin of the message.
• say (אָמַר, ’āmar)
  • An imperative command, underscoring the non-negotiable directive for Ezekiel to vocalize this specific judgment, leaving no room for his own interpretation or hesitation.
• Thus saith the Lord GOD (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, kōh ’āmar ’ăḏōnāy YHVH)
  • The standard and most authoritative prophetic formula. "Adonai YHVH" ("Lord GOD") combines the reverential title (Adonai) with God's covenant name (YHWH, the personal, holy name of Israel's God), establishing absolute divine sovereignty and fidelity behind the prophecy. This phrase asserts that the words are not human speculation but the direct decree of the Almighty.
• concerning the Ammonites (אֶל-בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, ’el-bənê ‘ammôn)
  • Literally "to the sons of Ammon," this identifies a specific national entity. Descendants of Lot (Gen 19:38), they were perpetual adversaries and rivals of Israel, living east of the Jordan.
• and concerning their reproach (וְאֶל-חֶרְפָּתָם, wə’el-ḥerpātām)
  • Ḥerpāh (חֶרְפָּה) denotes "reproach," "shame," "disgrace," "taunt," or "insult." Here, it points to the specific reason for divine judgment: the Ammonites' malicious pleasure, mocking, and scornful attitude towards Judah's suffering and humiliation. This wasn't merely indifference but an active hostility that rejoiced in the distress of God's people.
• even say thou (וְאָמַרְתָּ, wə’āmartā)
  • This repetition of the command to "say" further emphasizes the particularity and weight of the message that follows. Ezekiel must pronounce this distinct message clearly.
• The sword, the sword (חֶרֶב חֶרֶב, ḥerev ḥerev)
  • The doubling of "sword" (ḥerev) serves as a powerful rhetorical device. It intensifies the image of lethal weaponry, signifying an unavoidable, pervasive, and merciless instrument of divine judgment and war. It brings a sense of dread and certainty.
• is drawn (פְתוּחָה, pəṯûḥāh)
  • From pataḥ (פתח), meaning "to open" or "to uncover." Here, in the passive, it conveys the sword being "unsheathed," "unveiled," or "made ready." It is not at rest but actively prepared for engagement, signaling imminent and inevitable action.
• for the slaughter it is furbished (לְטֶבַח הָלְלָה, ləṭevaḥ hālĕlāh)
  • Ṭevaḥ (טֶבַח) refers to "slaughter" or "massacre," indicating a brutal and extensive killing.
  • Hālĕlāh (הָלְלָה) comes from a root typically meaning "to praise," but in the Niphal stem, it carries the sense of "to be polished," "sharpened," "made gleaming," or "to show forth splendor." Thus, the sword is meticulously prepared, polished to gleam, and sharpened for its dreadful purpose—a perfect instrument for the appointed massacre. This suggests divine care in preparing the instrument of judgment.
• to consume because of the glittering (לְמַעַן הִבְרִיק, ləma‘an hivərîq)
  • This phrase is pivotal and debated. Hivərîq is the Hiphil infinitive of bâraq (ברק), meaning "to flash," "to gleam," "to glitter."
    • Primary interpretation: It refers to the terrifying gleam of the unsheathed and polished sword itself. The sword's menacing sparkle signifies its swiftness and the dreadful certainty of its impact. The phrase could mean "so that it may glitter" as it descends for slaughter.
    • Secondary interpretation (less common): The "glittering" might refer to the false splendor or proud confidence of the Ammonites themselves—perhaps their idols or their fleeting success in gloating over Judah. In this sense, God's sword is brought against them "because of their (false) glitter/glory," which led to their hubris and "reproach." However, given the context of describing the sword, the first interpretation holds stronger lexical support within this specific sentence structure.

Ezekiel 21 28 Bonus section

The broader "Song of the Sword" in Ezekiel 21 utilizes potent anthropomorphism, with the sword seemingly having a life and will of its own ("awake," "be sharpened," "glistening," "going for slaughter"). This personification elevates the weapon from a mere instrument to an embodiment of divine judgment itself, portraying God's decree as an irresistible force. The ancient Near Eastern context recognized a special abhorrence for nations that celebrated the demise of others, especially when they exploited such vulnerability. Ammon's historical ties as kin to Israel (descended from Lot) make their reproach even more heinous, amplifying the betrayal aspect. The destruction here also forms part of a larger pattern of divine justice for nations, reinforcing God's sovereignty over all peoples, not just Israel, ensuring that justice is meted out universally to those who mock, betray, or oppress.

Ezekiel 21 28 Commentary

Ezekiel 21:28 stands as a stark divine verdict against the Ammonites, explicitly linking their "reproach"—their malicious scorn and gloating over Judah's misfortune—to their imminent downfall. God's patience for national antagonism had worn thin, especially when expressed as delight in the suffering of His chosen people, implying a challenge to His covenant and authority. The repeated declaration of "the sword, the sword" creates a vivid, dreadful image of an unsheathed and highly-polished instrument of execution. This is not a chance outcome of war but a divinely commissioned instrument of retribution. Its "glittering" appearance signals both its terrifying readiness and the devastating certainty of its impact. The meticulously furbished nature of the sword for "slaughter" underscores the thorough and purposeful nature of the coming judgment; it is a meticulously prepared judgment. This verse teaches that God observes the attitudes of nations and individuals towards others, especially towards His people, and malicious pleasure in suffering is a grievous offense that draws divine, calculated wrath.

• Example 1: The gloating over a competitor's business failure, instead of offering support, often reflects pride and lack of empathy, echoing the "reproach" of Ammon.
• Example 2: Participating in or spreading negative gossip about someone else's misfortune can be akin to this malicious "reproach," inviting a spiritual boomerang effect of God's disapproval.