Ezekiel 7 21

Ezekiel 7:21 kjv

And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

Ezekiel 7:21 nkjv

I will give it as plunder Into the hands of strangers, And to the wicked of the earth as spoil; And they shall defile it.

Ezekiel 7:21 niv

I will give their wealth as plunder to foreigners and as loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile it.

Ezekiel 7:21 esv

And I will give it into the hands of foreigners for prey, and to the wicked of the earth for spoil, and they shall profane it.

Ezekiel 7:21 nlt

I will give it as plunder to foreigners,
to the most wicked of nations,
and they will defile it.

Ezekiel 7 verses

Ezekiel 7 21 Meaning

This verse declares that God will bring His terror upon Israel, His "pleasant land," and that its people will fall by the sword. It emphasizes the coming judgment and the severe consequences for their sin.

Ezekiel 7 21 Context

Ezekiel 7 is a pronouncement of God's unwavering judgment against Judah. The chapter is characterized by strong declarations of impending destruction and desolation due to the people's pervasive sin and idolatry. The prophet Ezekiel is given visions and messages directly from God concerning the finality of the judgment upon Jerusalem and its people. This particular verse falls within the latter part of the chapter, solidifying the severity and completeness of the divine retribution that is about to befall them, specifically highlighting the invaders and their actions.

Ezekiel 7 21 Word Analysis

• בָּרָֽא: (bara) - to create, to cut off, to destroy. Here, it signifies God's act of bringing destruction or making something non-existent through judgment.

• פֶּ֥שַׁע: (pesha') - rebellion, transgression, sin. Refers to the deep-seated unfaithfulness and active rebellion against God by the people of Judah.

• שִׁנְאֵ֖יתִי: (shin'ti) - I have hated. Expresses God's righteous abhorrence of their sin.

• שַׁ֣לְוַת: (shalvat) - tranquility, peace, security. Denotes the false sense of security and peace the people relied on, which would be completely shattered.

• חֶבְלֵ֣י: (chevlei) - pains, anguish, sorrows. Here used metaphorically to represent the pangs and torments that will come upon the land.

• אֵימָתִי: (eimati) - terror, dread, fear. Refers to the intense fear and panic that will grip the inhabitants as the judgment arrives.

• מְנֻסָּ֔ה: (menussah) - refuge, escape. Indicates that there will be no place to flee or hide from God's judgment.

• מְרַקְּדִים: (mraqdim) - dancing. Implies their futile activities and rejoicings that will be turned into mourning.

• מַגִּיעַ: (magia') - reaching, coming to. Emphasizes the inevitable arrival of judgment.

• חִלְּלָ֣ה: (chalela) - profaned, defiled. Denotes the desecration of their holy places and the things they held sacred.

• תַּרְגִישׁ: (targish) - to cause to understand, to make know. God will make them understand His judgment.

• חֶרֶב: (cherev) - sword. A primary instrument of warfare and judgment, symbolizing total destruction and death.

• קֶצֶף: (qetzeph) - wrath, anger. God's righteous indignation unleashed upon the people for their transgressions.

• בֵּנֵי: (benei) - sons of. Refers to the people, the offspring of the nation.

• מוֹסָד: (mosad) - foundation, established thing. Represents their innermost securities and most cherished possessions.

• Word Group: "The most ruthless of nations": This refers to the pagan empires sent by God to execute His judgment, such as Babylon, characterized by their brutality and disregard for sacred things.

• Word Group: "my pleasant land": A description of the Land of Israel, a place blessed by God, now destined for destruction due to the sin of its inhabitants.

• Word Group: "they will plunder your most precious possessions... your sanctuary": This highlights the complete devastation that will occur, extending to their homes, their valuables, and even the holy temple in Jerusalem.

• Word Group: "my terror ... I will cut them off ... I will consume them ... my wrath shall be poured out upon them": These phrases collectively depict the overwhelming, relentless, and final nature of God's judgment.

Ezekiel 7 21 Bonus Section

The intensity of the language used in Ezekiel 7, particularly in this verse, reflects the concept of divine retribution for covenant unfaithfulness. God’s justice demands accountability for sin, especially when a people, to whom He has revealed Himself and bestowed blessings, turns away from Him. The actions described are not random acts of violence but are orchestrated by God as a consequence of their actions, as clearly indicated by "I will bring" and "I will cut them off." This foreshadows Jesus' teaching on the consequences of sin and the ultimate judgment, and also how sin defiles all that is precious, including our relationship with God. The destruction of the sanctuary represents the ultimate forfeiture of God's protective presence due to their persistent sin.

Ezekiel 7 21 Commentary

This verse serves as a stark declaration of God's judgment against a sinning people. It moves beyond abstract pronouncements to paint a picture of tangible devastation. The "most ruthless of nations" signifies that God uses even wicked nations as instruments in His righteous judgment. The profaning of the "pleasant land" and the sanctuary underscores the sacredness of the covenant relationship God had with Israel and the severity of their betrayal. The plundering of "most precious possessions" points to the complete loss of everything they held dear, stripping away their worldly comforts and security which they had misplaced their trust in, rather than God. The use of "terror" and "wrath" emphasizes the profound impact of God's displeasure, resulting in fear and destruction. The verse leaves no room for hope of reprieve at this stage, indicating a complete culmination of judgment for persistent unfaithfulness.