Ezekiel 21 8

Ezekiel 21:8 kjv

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 21:8 nkjv

Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 21:8 niv

The word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 21:8 esv

And the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 21:8 nlt

Then the LORD said to me,

Ezekiel 21 verses

Ezekiel 21 8 Meaning

Ezekiel 21:8 marks a pivotal transition within the chapter's sequence of divine pronouncements. It serves as an authoritative introductory formula, indicating that a new and specific divine message is about to be revealed directly from God to the prophet Ezekiel. This declaration signifies a fresh revelation, ensuring the message's origin and power are undeniably from the Lord Yahweh Himself, to be communicated through His chosen messenger.

Ezekiel 21 8 Context

Ezekiel 21:8 appears within a sequence of divine oracles concerning judgment. The earlier verses of Chapter 21 (1-7) depict the "sword of the Lord" being sharpened and unsheathed, ready to bring devastation upon the land of Israel and its people, climaxing in the prophet's call for lamentation. This entire chapter focuses on the inevitability of God's judgment, particularly through the invading Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, symbolized as God's sword. Verse 8 acts as a specific demarcation, introducing a distinct oracle that elaborates on the "sword's" movement, specifying a new target—the Ammonites, as detailed in the subsequent verses (9-17), though still tied to the broader theme of universal judgment being executed by Babylon, who is called to "divide" at the crossroads (v. 18-23). The prophet Ezekiel delivered these messages to the exiles in Babylon, struggling with questions of God's justice and faithfulness in light of Jerusalem's impending destruction.

Ezekiel 21 8 Word analysis

• The word (דָּבָר, dāḇār): This Hebrew term denotes much more than just a spoken utterance; it encompasses a divine message, an active decree, an event, or even a tangible thing. It signifies power and effectiveness; God's word does not merely inform but actively brings about what it declares.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the covenant name of God, indicating His absolute authority, sovereignty, and faithfulness. Associating the "word" with YHWH imbues it with unquestionable truthfulness, power, and ultimate divine backing, setting it apart from human words or the claims of false deities or prophets.
• came (הָיָה, hāyāh): Literally meaning "to be," "to become," or "to happen." In this context, it suggests an active, deliberate, and divinely initiated arrival or appearance of the word to the prophet. It is not merely a thought or inspiration but a forceful, revelatory event, indicating a direct communication from God.
• to me (אֵלַי, ʾēlāy): This specifies Ezekiel as the direct, personal recipient of the divine message. It authenticates him as God's chosen prophet and establishes the channel through which this specific revelation is to be delivered, granting his subsequent prophecy immediate credibility and authority.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The word of the Lord": This phrase functions as a critical affirmation of the message's divine origin and ultimate authority. It identifies Yahweh, the sovereign covenant God, as the sole source of the impending revelation, emphasizing its truth, power, and effectiveness in the lives of His people and nations.
• "came to me": This confirms the direct and personal nature of the divine communication to Ezekiel. It underscores that God Himself actively intervened to convey His will and message through His chosen prophet, commissioning Ezekiel to deliver this authoritative revelation to the people, assuring them that these words are not merely human insights but direct divine pronouncements.

Ezekiel 21 8 Bonus section

The consistent use of this phrase "the word of the Lord came to me" (or similar variations) throughout Ezekiel and other prophetic books is not just a stylistic element. It acted as a crucial validation mechanism for a prophet's ministry, distinguishing genuine divine communication from personal opinions, mere human wisdom, or the deceptive pronouncements of false prophets. During the Babylonian exile, when the people might have questioned God's presence or even believed Him to be silent, this recurring declaration reaffirmed God's continued engagement and the absolute reliability of His message, assuring the exiles that even in their lowest point, Yahweh had not abandoned His right to speak into their situation and ultimately direct history. It grounds all subsequent prophecy in divine decree rather than human speculation.

Ezekiel 21 8 Commentary

Ezekiel 21:8 functions as a formal prophetic formula, signaling the start of a new, direct oracle from God to Ezekiel. It asserts the divine authority and unquestionable origin of the subsequent message, emphasizing that the prophet is merely a vessel through which God's own words, full of power and purpose, are conveyed. This introductory clause establishes credibility in a time of doubt and spiritual confusion during the exile, ensuring the recipients understand that the coming judgment, and the subsequent direction, is undeniably from Yahweh Himself, demonstrating His active engagement in history and His unfailing sovereignty even in judgment. It serves as a stark reminder of God's dynamic relationship with His people and His persistent revelation of His will through His chosen spokesmen.