Ezekiel 21:15

Judgment

¹³ 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!

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.

¹⁶ Slash to the right; set your blade to the left— wherever your blade is directed.

¹⁷ I too will strike My hands together, and I will satisfy My wrath.’ I, the LORD, have spoken.”

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 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.
KJV: 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.
WEB: I have set the threatening sword against all their gates, that their heart may melt, and their stumblings be multiplied. Ah! It is made as lightning. It is pointed for slaughter.
ASV: I have set the threatening sword against all their gates, that their heart may melt, and their stumblings be multiplied: ah! it is made as lightning, it is pointed for slaughter.
DARBY: In order that the heart may melt, and the stumbling-blocks be multiplied, I have set the threatening sword against all their gates: ah! it is made glittering, it is whetted for the slaughter.
BLB: in order to melt the heart and to increase those stumbling. Against all their gates I have appointed a sword for slaughter. Ah, it is made as lightning; it is grasped for slaughter!

ÅB: For at hjertene skal smelte og anstøtene bli mange, setter jeg et blinkende sverd mot alle dets[^4] porter; akk, det er gjort til å lyne, skjerpet til å slakte.
OTB: Slik at hjerter kan vakle og mange falle ved alle deres porter, har jeg stasjonert sverdet for slakt. Åh! Det er laget for å lyne som lyn, det er slipt for slakt.
B1930: Forat hjertene skal smelte og anstøtene bli mange, setter jeg et blinkende sverd mot alle dets porter; akk, det er gjort til å lyne, skjerpet til å slakte. / < Jerusalems.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Jeremiah 17:27
But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’”
Read in context
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 context
2 Samuel 17:10
Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:22
In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:28
Now prophesy, son of man, and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt: ‘A sword! A sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning—
Read in context
Psalms 22:14
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me.
Read in context
Ezekiel 15:7
And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
Read in context
Ezekiel 21:7
And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”
Read in context