Ezekiel 21:10

⁸ Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

⁹ “Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished—

it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.

¹¹ The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.

¹² Cry out and wail, O son of man, for the sword is wielded against My people; it is against all the princes of Israel! They are tossed to the sword with My people; therefore strike your thigh.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.
KJV: It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
WEB: It is sharpened that it may make a slaughter. It is polished that it may be as lightning. Should we then make mirth? The rod of my son condemns every tree.
ASV: it is sharpened that it may make a slaughter; it is furbished that it may be as lightning: shall we then make mirth? the rod of my son, it contemneth every tree.
DARBY: It is sharpened for sore slaughter, it is furbished that it may glitter. Shall we then make mirth, [saying,] The sceptre of my son contemneth all wood?
BLB: it is sharpened in order to slaughter a slaughter; it is polished in order [that] it may become lightning. Or should we rejoice [in] the scepter of My son? It is despising every such stick?

ÅB: Til å slakte er det hvesset, til å lyne er det slipt. Eller skulle vi glede oss, du min sønns stamme[^1] som forakter alt tre[^2]?
OTB: slipt for slakt, polert for å lyne som lyn! Skal vi glede oss over min sønns septer? Sverdet forakter enhver slik stav.
B1930: Til å slakte er det hvesset, til å lyne er det slipt. Eller skulde vi glede oss, du min sønns stamme som forakter alt tre? / < d.e. Israels folk.> / < d.e. all tukt; ESK 21, 13.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 110:5–6
The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
Read in context
Ezekiel 20:47
Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
Read in context
Luke 21:34–35
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
Read in context
Revelation 2:27
He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery —just as I have received authority from My Father.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:25–27
And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’
Read in context
Psalms 89:26–32
He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father, my God, the Rock of my salvation.’
Read in context
Nahum 3:3
Charging horseman, flashing sword, shining spear; heaps of slain, mounds of corpses, dead bodies without end— they stumble over their dead—
Read in context
Habakkuk 3:11
Sun and moon stood still in their places at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.
Read in context