Ezekiel 21:9 kjv
Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:
Ezekiel 21:9 nkjv
"Son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the LORD!' Say: 'A sword, a sword is sharpened And also polished!
Ezekiel 21:9 niv
"Son of man, prophesy and say, 'This is what the Lord says: "?'A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished?
Ezekiel 21:9 esv
"Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say: "A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished,
Ezekiel 21:9 nlt
"Son of man, give the people this message from the Lord: "A sword, a sword
is being sharpened and polished.
Ezekiel 21 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 32:41 | if I sharpen My flashing sword And My hand takes hold of justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries... | God's own sword for vengeance |
| Isa 34:5 | For My sword has drunk its fill in heaven; behold, it descends for judgment on Edom... | Divine judgment on nations |
| Jer 12:12 | Destroyers will come on all the bare heights in the desert; For the sword of the Lord is devouring... | Widespread destruction by the Lord's sword |
| Jer 25:29 | For behold, I am beginning to work harm in the city that is called by My name, and should you go unpunished? You will not be unpunished; for I am calling for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth... | Judgment starting with God's people |
| Jer 47:6 | Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long will you not be quiet? Return to your scabbard... | Personification of the Lord's sword |
| Zeph 2:12 | "You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword." | Specific judgment against a nation |
| Zech 13:7 | “Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man, My associate,” declares the LORD of hosts... | Sword against the shepherd figure |
| Ez 21:10 | It is sharpened to make a slaughter, it is polished to glitter... | Further purpose of the sharpened sword |
| Ez 21:11 | And it is given to be handled... The sword is sharpened, and it is polished... | Sword prepared for action |
| Ez 21:28 | "And you, son of man, prophesy and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites and concerning their taunts,' a sword, a sword is drawn..." | Sword against Ammonites |
| Lam 2:21 | The youth and virgin lie on the ground in the streets; My young men and My maidens have fallen by the sword... | Devastation by the sword in Jerusalem |
| Lev 26:25 | 'I will bring a sword upon you which will execute vengeance for the covenant...' | Sword as covenant curse |
| Num 22:31 | ...and behold, the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand... | Angel with drawn sword as instrument of judgment |
| Jos 5:13 | ...behold, a man was standing opposite him with his drawn sword in his hand... "Commander of the army of the LORD" | Divine military leadership with a drawn sword |
| Isa 1:20 | But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword... | Consequence of rebellion |
| Joel 3:10 | Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, “I am a mighty man.” | Preparation for war/judgment |
| Rev 1:16 | Out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword... | Jesus' authority and judgment (spiritual sword) |
| Rev 6:4 | And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men would slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. | Physical war and conflict on earth |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword... | Word of God's discerning power (metaphorical sword) |
| Rom 13:4 | for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing... | Governing authority using a sword (judgment/punishment) |
| Matt 10:34 | “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” | Jesus bringing division, spiritual conflict |
Ezekiel 21 verses
Ezekiel 21 9 Meaning
Ezekiel 21:9 conveys a message of imminent, severe divine judgment through the powerful and vivid imagery of a perfectly prepared sword. The Lord announces that an instrument of destruction, the "sword," has been meticulously "sharpened" for cutting and "polished" (or "inspected" for its gleam and readiness) for its dreadful task. The repetition and specific preparation indicate the certainty, thoroughness, and fearsome nature of the coming judgment, signifying a divinely orchestrated devastation against the people.
Ezekiel 21 9 Context
Ezekiel 21 is part of a series of oracles of judgment delivered by the prophet Ezekiel during the Babylonian exile. Chapter 21, specifically, is a dramatic pronouncement against Judah and Jerusalem, often called the "Song of the Sword" or "Prophecy of the Sword." It directly follows the lament over the forest fire (Ezekiel 20) and serves as an expansion upon the theme of God's unyielding judgment on a rebellious nation. The historical context is that Jerusalem has already suffered a siege, and many Judeans are in exile (like Ezekiel). However, those remaining in Jerusalem or still clinging to false hopes believe they are safe. This chapter shatters such illusions, foretelling the final and utterly devastating siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The "sword" here symbolizes the Babylonian army, empowered and directed by God Himself as His instrument of wrath. The immediate verses further describe the sword's purpose (slaughter, terror) and its divine origin, setting the stage for the specific judgment on Jerusalem, even dictating the choice of path for the King of Babylon.
Ezekiel 21 9 Word analysis
- Son of man (בֶן־אָדָם - ben-'adam): A common address to Ezekiel, highlighting his human mortality and representing humanity before the divine, contrasting his humble nature with the Lord's supreme authority.
- prophesy (הִנָּבֵא - hinnāḇē’): Imperative, stressing the divine command and Ezekiel's role as a messenger, ensuring the word comes directly from God.
- and say (וְאָמַרְתָּ - wə’āmārttā): Reinforces the prophetic declaration; not Ezekiel's words, but God's.
- Thus says the Lord (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי - koh ’āmar ’ăḏōnāy): The authoritative messenger formula, declaring the message as absolute divine truth and command.
- A sword (חֶרֶב - ḥerev): (x2) Repetition for emphasis, intensifying the certainty and immediacy of the instrument of judgment. ḥerev broadly means any blade, here clearly a weapon for war.
- is sharpened (מְרֻטָּה - mərūṭṭāh): From the root מרט (marṭ), meaning to make smooth, pluck, or sharpen. Here it emphasizes making the edge keen and ready for cutting, signaling lethality.
- and also (וְגַם - wəḡam): A conjunctive phrase, linking the two states of the sword, indicating dual preparation and completeness.
- polished (מֻבְרָקָה - muvrāqāh): While some translations render "polished," the underlying Hebrew מֻבְרָקָה (muḇrāqāh) (Hophal participle from ברק - bāraq, meaning "to flash, lighten") refers to something made gleaming or shining. It suggests it's not just sharp, but also bright and menacing, visible, reflecting light – perhaps also indicating its quality, or making it appear terrifying and impressive. The sheen of a sharpened and ready weapon.
- A sword, a sword: This repetition is a rhetorical device for extreme emphasis, indicating the terrifying certainty and undeniable reality of the impending judgment. It underscores the focus on the specific instrument of divine wrath.
- is sharpened and also polished: This phrase describes the meticulous and dual preparation of the sword. "Sharpened" (ready for slaughter) and "polished" (gleaming, tested, prepared for its role in full view, reflecting its terrifying purpose) indicate not only its destructive capability but also its full readiness and dreadful glory, an almost ritualistic preparation for its grim task.
Ezekiel 21 9 Bonus section
The imagery of a "polished" or "gleaming" sword serves several purposes: it could visually signal its destructive capacity and fearsome nature to the enemy (like an advancing army whose swords flash in the sun). The preparation also emphasizes the divine ownership and intentionality behind the judgment, meaning God is not merely reacting but actively preparing and dispatching this force. In ancient warfare, a well-maintained sword indicated a prepared warrior; here, it points to a prepared Divine executioner. The term mubraqah (polished/gleaming) has been connected by scholars to a sense of inspection or making a blade shine after sharpening, thus indicating it's ready not just for any fight, but specifically this significant battle ordained by God. The "song of the sword" structure of this chapter, in the style of ancient laments or war songs, further heightens the drama and inevitability of the prophecy.
Ezekiel 21 9 Commentary
Ezekiel 21:9 begins a chilling oracle of judgment, depicting God's instrument of wrath as a formidable sword meticulously prepared for devastating action. The repetitive "A sword, a sword" immediately grips the audience, removing all doubt about the subject and its terrifying imminence. This is no ordinary blade but a divinely commissioned weapon, emphasized by "Thus says the Lord." The sword's dual preparation – "sharpened" for keen efficacy in slaughter and "polished" for its gleaming terror or tested readiness – signifies God's thoroughness and determination in executing judgment. It underscores that this impending disaster is not a random calamity but a precisely orchestrated, undeniable divine act against a rebellious people. The perfection of its readiness means nothing can avert its swift and decisive use. This verse serves as an announcement of doom, foreshadowing the violent end of Judah's independence and the destruction of Jerusalem. It challenges any complacency among the exiles or those remaining in the city, forcing them to confront the grim reality of God's justice.