Ezekiel 21:14

God’s Sword of Judgment · Ezekiel 21:1–32
Read Ezekiel 21

Translations

Modern
‘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!
Traditional
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.
Literal
‘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,
Latin
Tu ergo, fili hominis, propheta, et percute manu ad manum: et duplicetur gladius, ac triplicetur gladius interfectorum: hic est gladius occisionis magnæ, qui obstupescere eos facit

Original

Hebrew
English
‘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!

Notes

As the Lord's representative, Ezekiel was to clap his hands in a threatening way and wave the sword three times. This action symbolized the complete massacre to come.

There would be no place to escape. No one could hide from the sword of judgment. When the Lord was ready to act, he would destroy his people. In this way, he would satisfy his fury (his burning anger). They would be filled with terror. Their courage would disappear.

This chapter repeatedly mentions a sword (Ezekiel 21:3–5, 9, 11–12, 14–16, 19, 28–30). Each time, the sword represents God’s judgment.

Events

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of

Topics

The Hands: Smitten Together in Extreme Anger War: Threatens Defeat In