Ezekiel 21:7 kjv
And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 21:7 nkjv
And it shall be when they say to you, 'Why are you sighing?' that you shall answer, 'Because of the news; when it comes, every heart will melt, all hands will be feeble, every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming and shall be brought to pass,' says the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 21:7 niv
And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.' It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Ezekiel 21:7 esv
And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news that it is coming. Every heart will melt, and all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and all knees will be weak as water. Behold, it is coming, and it will be fulfilled,'" declares the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 21:7 nlt
When they ask why you are groaning, tell them, 'I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign LORD says: It is coming! It's on its way!'"
Ezekiel 21 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 21:21 | For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way | Ezekiel 21:20 (Fulfillment of prophecy) |
| Psalm 76:10 | Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee | Psalm 76:10 (God uses human actions) |
| Proverbs 16:33 | The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. | Proverbs 16:33 (God controls outcomes) |
| Jeremiah 15:12 | Shall iron break the northern iron and the steel? | Jeremiah 15:12 (Invasion by stronger force) |
| Isaiah 10:5 | O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger... | Isaiah 10:5 (Assyria as God's instrument) |
| Isaiah 10:24 | ...My people which dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian | Isaiah 10:24 (Assurance against oppressors) |
| Isaiah 45:1 | Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus... | Isaiah 45:1 (Cyrus as God's chosen) |
| Jeremiah 27:6 | And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant | Jeremiah 27:6 (Nebuchadnezzar's authority) |
| Daniel 2:21 | And he changeth the times and the seasons... | Daniel 2:21 (God's sovereignty over time) |
| Amos 3:7 | Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. | Amos 3:7 (Prophetic revelation) |
| Revelation 17:17 | For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to do the mind of God, and to give their kingdom unto the beast | Revelation 17:17 (Divine orchestration) |
| Lamentations 1:14 | The yoke of my transgressions is bound... | Lamentations 1:14 (Burden of sin) |
| Deuteronomy 28:65 | And among these nations shalt thou find no rest... | Deuteronomy 28:65 (Consequences of disobedience) |
| Jeremiah 19:11 | ...shall break it as a potter’s vessel is broken | Jeremiah 19:11 (Complete destruction) |
| Zechariah 11:4 | Thus saith the LORD my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter... | Zechariah 11:4 (Shepherd for slaughter) |
| Matthew 24:49 | ... and shall eat and drink with the drunken | Matthew 24:49 (Unguarded judgment) |
| Luke 12:45 | ... and shall eat and drink, and be drunken | Luke 12:45 (Unguarded judgment) |
| 1 Corinthians 10:13 | But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able... | 1 Corinthians 10:13 (God's faithfulness) |
| John 13:3 | Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; | John 13:3 (Christ's authority) |
| 1 Peter 4:17 | For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God... | 1 Peter 4:17 (Judgment begins with believers) |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 7 Meaning
This verse signifies God's direct intervention in judgment. The drawing of lots was a way to discern God's will or to determine who or what would be affected by divine action. The imagery suggests a specific decree of judgment is about to be enacted.
Ezekiel 21 7 Context
This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy delivered during the Babylonian exile, a time of great distress for the Judean people. Jerusalem and the Temple are about to face complete destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. The surrounding nations are also targeted by God's judgment due to their sin and opposition to God's people. Chapter 21 presents a powerful prophecy of judgment against Jerusalem, personifying the sword of God's wrath which is sharpened, made ready, and poised to strike. This particular verse highlights the divine decision-making process leading to this execution of judgment.
Ezekiel 21 7 Word Analysis
- וְגַם (və·ḡam): "and also" or "and furthermore." This conjunction connects this action to preceding or implied pronouncements, emphasizing the ongoing and multifaceted nature of God's judgment.
- בָּנִ֥ים (bā·nîm): "sons." Refers to the people of Judah, often called "sons of Israel," signifying their relationship and accountability to God as a people.
- אַתָּ֛ה (’at·tā): "you." Direct address to the people of Judah, making the judgment personal and immediate.
- לְמִנְצָּ֖וּת (lə·min·çā·ḥūṯ): "to the dividing" or "to the appointing." From the root נָצַח (nā·ṣaḥ) meaning to oversee, to succeed, or to be preeminent. In this context, it relates to the casting of lots to decide destiny or direction.
- נִצּוּת (niṣ·şūṯ): "lots." The plural form of lot, indicating multiple lots were prepared or a process of casting was involved to determine the target of the coming destruction. The verb from which this noun is derived speaks of division and distribution, mirroring how lots were cast to divide territory or assign portions.
Ezekiel 21 7 Bonus Section
The practice of casting lots was a recognized method in ancient Israel for making decisions, often seen as a way to seek God's guidance (e.g., selecting the scapegoat in Leviticus 16:8 or dividing the land in Joshua 14:2). Ezekiel here uses this familiar practice to show that the impending doom, while carried out by human agents like Nebuchadnezzar, is ultimately a divinely ordained outcome. It emphasizes God's supreme authority over all nations and events, including the specific actions of kings and armies. The verse could also reflect a desperate act by the people of Jerusalem casting lots to determine who among them would be chosen for sacrifice or forced labor, facing an indistinguishable fate to the targeting of the king of Babylon.
Ezekiel 21 7 Commentary
God is actively orchestrating the destruction. The drawing of lots implies a decision has been made by divine authority. This isn't random chance but a precise decree from God regarding the deployment of his instruments of judgment. The focus on "sons" (referring to Judah) underscores that this judgment is directed specifically at his own people who have strayed. The process highlights God's meticulous control over even the most minute aspects of his sovereign will being executed through earthly means, represented here by Nebuchadnezzar's invasion.