Ezekiel 21:14

Judgment

¹² Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.

¹³ Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.

¹⁵ I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.

¹⁶ Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

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: ‘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!
KJV: Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
WEB: “You therefore, son of man, prophesy, and strike your hands together. Let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the fatally wounded. It is the sword of the great one who is fatally wounded, which enters into their rooms.
ASV: Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thy hands together; and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the deadly wounded: it is the sword of the great one that is deadly wounded, which entereth into their chambers.
DARBY: And thou, son of man, prophesy, and smite thy hands together; for [the strokes of] the sword shall be doubled the third time: it is the sword of the slain, the sword that hath slain the great one, which encompasseth them privily.
BLB: ‘And you, son of man, prophesy and strike together the palm, and let the sword come twice—a third time—the sword of the slain! It [is] the sword of great slaughter that is surrounding them,

ÅB: Og du menneskesønn, spå og slå hendene sammen! Dobbelt, ja tredobbelt kommer sverdet, det sverd som slår mange ihjel, dette sverd som slår den store[^3] ihjel, det som truer dem på alle kanter.
OTB: “Så da, menneskesønn, profetér og klapp hendene. La sverdet slå to ganger, ja, tre ganger. Det er et sverd for slakt, et sverd for stor slakt, som omringer dem.
B1930: Og du menneskesønn, spå og slå hendene sammen! Dobbelt, ja tredobbelt kommer sverdet, det sverd som slår mange ihjel, dette sverd som slår den store ihjel, det som truer dem på alle kanter. / < d.e. kongen; ESK 21, 25.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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.
Read in context
Numbers 24:10
And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
Read in context
2 Kings 24:10–16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
Read in context
Leviticus 26:24
Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins.
Read in context
Ezekiel 6:11
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
Read in context
Leviticus 26:21
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:17
I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.
Read in context
Daniel 3:19
Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
Read in context