Ezekiel 21:13
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.
Surely testing will come! And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue?’ declares the Lord GOD.
14 ‘So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike two times, even three. It is a sword that slays, a sword of great slaughter closing in on every side!
15 So that their hearts may melt and many may stumble, I have appointed at all their gates a sword for slaughter. Yes, it is ready to flash like lightning; it is drawn for slaughter.
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
- Surely testing will come! And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue?’ declares the Lord GOD.
- KJV
- Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.
- WEB
- “For there is a trial. What if even the rod that condemns will be no more?” says the Lord GOD.
- ASV
- For there is a trial; and what if even the rod that contemneth shall be no more? saith the Lord Jehovah.
- DARBY
- For the trial [is made]; and what if even the contemning sceptre shall be no [more]? saith the Lord Jehovah.
- BLB
- For there is a testing; and what if even the scepter it is despising does not continue!’ An utterance of the Lord YHWH.
- ÅB
- For en prøvelse er for hånden, og hva skulle den ramme, om ikke den stamme som forakter tukt? sier Herren, Israels Gud.
- OTB
- For det er en prøvelse; og hva om selv septeret som sverdet forakter ikke fortsetter? sier den suverene Herren.
- B1930
- For en prøvelse er for hånden, og hvad skulde den ramme, om ikke den stamme som forakter tukt? sier Herren, Israels Gud.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ezekiel 21:10
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.
Read in context2 Corinthians 8:2
In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.
Read in contextEzekiel 21:25
And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’
Read in contextJob 9:23
When the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.
Read in context