Ezekiel 21

The Lord Has Drawn His Sword

1 1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 t "Son of man, u set your face toward Jerusalem and v preach against the sanctuaries. 2 Prophesy against the land of Israel 3 and say to the land of Israel, Thus says the Lord: w Behold, I am against you and will draw x my sword from its sheath and y will cut off from you both righteous and wicked. 4 Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall be drawn from its sheath against all flesh from south to north. 5 z And all flesh shall know that I am the Lord. I have drawn x my sword from its sheath; a it shall not be sheathed again.

6 "As for you, son of man, b groan; with breaking heart and bitter grief, c groan before their eyes. 7 d And when they say to you, 'Why do you groan?' you shall say, 'Because of the news e that it is coming. f Every heart will melt, and g all hands will be feeble; every spirit will faint, and g all knees will be weak as water. h Behold, it is e coming, and it will be fulfilled,'" declares the Lord God.

8 And the word of the Lord came to me:

9 t "Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say:
i "A sword, a sword is sharpened
and also polished,

10 j sharpened for slaughter,
j polished to flash like lightning!
(Or k shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, l with everything of wood.) 3 11 So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished m to be given into the hand of the slayer. 12 n Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people. It is against all the princes of Israel. They are delivered over to the sword with my people. o Strike therefore upon your thigh. 13 For it will not be a testing - what could it do if you despise p the rod?" 4 declares the Lord God.

14 "As for you, q son of man, prophesy. r Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, s yes, three times, 5 the sword for those to be slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter, which surrounds them, 15 that their hearts may melt, and many stumble. 6 At all their gates I have given the glittering sword. Ah, it is made like lightning; t it is taken up 7 for slaughter. 16 Cut sharply to the right; set yourself to the left, wherever your face is directed. 17 I also will r clap my hands, u and I will satisfy my fury; v I the Lord have spoken."

18 The word of the Lord came to me again: 19 "As for you, son of man, mark two ways for w the sword of the king of Babylon to come. Both of them shall come from the same land. And make x a signpost; make it x at the head of the way to a city. 20 Mark a way y for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah, into Jerusalem the fortified. 21 For the king of Babylon stands z at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows; he consults a the teraphim; 8 he looks at the liver. 22 Into his right hand comes the divination for Jerusalem, b to set battering rams, to open the mouth with murder, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, c to cast up mounds, to build siege towers. 23 But to them it will seem like a false divination. d They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, e that they may be taken.

24 "Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have made your guilt to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your deeds your sins appear - because you have come to remembrance, f you shall be taken in hand. 25 And you, O profane 9 g wicked one, prince of Israel, h whose day has come, i the time of your final punishment, 26 thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. j Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted. 27 A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. k This also shall not be, l until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.

28 "And you, m son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God n concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach; say, o A sword, a sword p is drawn for the slaughter. o It is polished to consume and to flash like lightning - 29 while q they see for you false visions, while they divine lies for you - to place you on the necks of the profane wicked, r whose day has come, the time of their final punishment. 30 p Return it to its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, s I will judge you. 31 And t I will pour out my indignation upon you; u I will blow upon you with the fire of my wrath, and I will deliver you into the hands of v brutish men, skillful to destroy. 32 You shall be fuel for the fire. Your blood shall be in the midst of the land. w You shall be no more remembered, x for I the Lord have spoken."

  1. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  2. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:46
    Son of man, set your face toward the southland; preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest land in the Negeb.
  3. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:46
    Son of man, set your face toward the southland; preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest land in the Negeb.
  4. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:8
    Therefore thus says the Lord God : "Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord God.
  5. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:19
    As for you, son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. Both of them shall come from the same land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to a city.
    Ezekiel 21:30
    Return it to its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you.
    Deuteronomy 32:41
    If I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.
    Jeremiah 47:6
    Ah, sword of the Lord! How long till you are quiet? Put yourself into your scabbard; rest and be still!
  6. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:47
    Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the Lord : Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.
    Job 9:22
    It is all one; therefore I say, He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:48
    All flesh shall see that I the Lord have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.
  8. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:3
    And say to the land of Israel, Thus says the Lord : Behold, I am against you and will draw my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.
  9. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:30
    Return it to its sheath. In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you.
  10. Cross References
    Ezekiel 6:11
    Thus says the Lord God : "Clap your hands and stamp your foot and say, Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.
    Ezekiel 12:18
    Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety.
  11. Cross References
    Ezekiel 12:3
    As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself an exile's baggage, and go into exile by day in their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand, though they are a rebellious house.
  12. Cross References
    Ezekiel 12:9
    "Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, 'What are you doing?'
  13. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:5 - 6
    Thus says the Lord God : Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes.
  14. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:5 - 6
    Thus says the Lord God : Disaster after disaster! Behold, it comes.
  15. Cross References
    Joshua 2:11
    And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.
  16. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:17
    All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water.
  17. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:17
    All hands are feeble, and all knees turn to water.
  18. Cross References
    Ezekiel 39:8
    Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the Lord God. That is the day of which I have spoken.
  19. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:2
    Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
  20. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:3
    And say to the land of Israel, Thus says the Lord : Behold, I am against you and will draw my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.
  21. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:15
    That their hearts may melt, and many stumble. At all their gates I have given the glittering sword. Ah, it is made like lightning; it is taken up for slaughter.
    Ezekiel 21:28
    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 -
  22. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:15
    That their hearts may melt, and many stumble. At all their gates I have given the glittering sword. Ah, it is made like lightning; it is taken up for slaughter.
    Ezekiel 21:28
    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 -
  23. Cross References
    James 5:5
    You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
  24. Cross References
    Ezekiel 20:47
    Say to the forest of the Negeb, Hear the word of the Lord : Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree. The blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from south to north shall be scorched by it.
  25. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:19
    As for you, son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. Both of them shall come from the same land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to a city.
  26. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:6
    As for you, son of man, groan; with breaking heart and bitter grief, groan before their eyes.
  27. Cross References
    Jeremiah 31:19
    For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.
  28. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:10
    Sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! (Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood.)
  29. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  30. Cross References
    Ezekiel 22:13
    Behold, I strike my hand at the dishonest gain that you have made, and at the blood that has been in your midst.
    Numbers 24:10
    And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times.
  31. Cross References
    2 Kings 24:1
    In his days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.
    2 Kings 24:10
    At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
    2 Kings 25:1
    And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it.
  32. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:10
    Sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! (Or shall we rejoice? You have despised the rod, my son, with everything of wood.)
  33. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:14
    As for you, son of man, prophesy. Clap your hands and let the sword come down twice, yes, three times, the sword for those to be slain. It is the sword for the great slaughter, which surrounds them.
  34. Cross References
    Ezekiel 5:13
    Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. And they shall know that I am the Lord - that I have spoken in my jealousy - when I spend my fury upon them.
  35. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:24
    And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord ; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord ; I have spoken, and I will do it.
  36. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:11
    So the sword is given to be polished, that it may be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished to be given into the hand of the slayer.
  37. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:21
    For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows; he consults the teraphim; he looks at the liver.
  38. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:21
    For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows; he consults the teraphim; he looks at the liver.
  39. Cross References
    Ezekiel 25:1 - 5
    The word of the Lord came to me:
    Jeremiah 49:1 - 6
    Concerning the Ammonites. Thus says the Lord : "Has Israel no sons? Has he no heir? Why then has Milcom dispossessed Gad, and his people settled in its cities?
    Amos 1:13 - 15
    Thus says the Lord : "For three transgressions of the Ammonites, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have ripped open pregnant women in Gilead, that they might enlarge their border.
  40. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:19
    As for you, son of man, mark two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come. Both of them shall come from the same land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to a city.
  41. Cross References
    Genesis 31:19
    Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
  42. Cross References
    Ezekiel 4:2
    And put siegeworks against it, and build a siege wall against it, and cast up a mound against it. Set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against it all around.
    Ezekiel 26:9
    He will direct the shock of his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers.
  43. Cross References
    Ezekiel 4:2
    And put siegeworks against it, and build a siege wall against it, and cast up a mound against it. Set camps also against it, and plant battering rams against it all around.
  44. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:13
    And he took one of the royal offspring and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath ( the chief men of the land he had taken away).
  45. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:20
    I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against me.
  46. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:20
    I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon and enter into judgment with him there for the treachery he has committed against me.
  47. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:19
    Therefore thus says the Lord God : As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke. I will return it upon his head.
    2 Chronicles 36:13
    He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord, the God of Israel.
    Jeremiah 52:2
    And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
  48. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:29
    While they see for you false visions, while they divine lies for you - to place you on the necks of the profane wicked, whose day has come, the time of their final punishment.
    Ezekiel 22:3 - 4
    You shall say, Thus says the Lord God : A city that sheds blood in her midst, so that her time may come, and that makes idols to defile herself!
  49. Cross References
    Ezekiel 35:5
    Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment.
  50. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:24
    And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord ; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord ; I have spoken, and I will do it.
    Luke 1:52
    He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.
  51. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:13
    For it will not be a testing - what could it do if you despise the rod?" declares the Lord God.
  52. Cross References
    Genesis 49:10
    The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
    Zechariah 6:12 - 13
    And say to him, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord.
    John 1:49
    Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
  53. Cross References
    Ezekiel 2:1
    And he said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.
  54. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:20
    Mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah, into Jerusalem the fortified.
  55. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:9 - 10
    Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say: "A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished.
  56. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:9 - 10
    Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus says the Lord, say: "A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished.
  57. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:5
    And all flesh shall know that I am the Lord. I have drawn my sword from its sheath; it shall not be sheathed again.
  58. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:6
    They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the Lord,' when the Lord has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.
  59. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:25
    And you, O profane wicked one, prince of Israel, whose day has come, the time of your final punishment.
  60. Cross References
    Ezekiel 21:28
    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 -
  61. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:38
    And I will judge you as women who commit adultery and shed blood are judged, and bring upon you the blood of wrath and jealousy.
  62. Cross References
    Ezekiel 7:8
    Now I will soon pour out my wrath upon you, and spend my anger against you, and judge you according to your ways, and I will punish you for all your abominations.
  63. Cross References
    Ezekiel 22:20 - 21
    As one gathers silver and bronze and iron and lead and tin into a furnace, to blow the fire on it in order to melt it, so I will gather you in my anger and in my wrath, and I will put you in and melt you.
  64. Cross References
    Psalms 49:10
    For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
  65. Cross References
    Ezekiel 25:10
    I will give it along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, that the Ammonites may be remembered no more among the nations.
  66. Cross References
    Ezekiel 17:24
    And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord ; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord ; I have spoken, and I will do it.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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