Ezekiel 21:14-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

Here is another prophecy of the sword, which is delivered in a very affecting manner; the expressions here used are somewhat intricate, and perplex interpreters. The sword was unsheathed in the Ezek. 21:1-7; here it is fitted up to do execution, which the prophet is commanded to lament. Observe, I. How the sword is here described. 1. It is sharpened, that it may cut and wound, and make a sore slaughter. The wrath of God will put an edge upon it; and, whatever instruments God shall please to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:14

Thou, therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together ,.... As being in the greatest agony for what is coming upon thy people: or "strike hand to hand" F25 והך כף אל כף "percute manum ad manum", Pagninus, Polanus; "volum ad volam"; Montanus; "feri manum ad manum", Starckius. ; clap them together, as encouraging the enemy with his drawn, sharp, and glittering sword, to make use of it, and do execution with it: and let the sword be doubled the third time ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:15

I have set the point of the sword against all their gates ,.... The word rendered "point" is nowhere else used, and is differently translated: by some the "fear" of the sword F26 אבחת חרב "terrorem gladii", Munster, Pagninus, Montanus. , as Menachem and Kimchi; by others the "cry" of the sword, or of those that are slain with it, as Jarchi; and the Targum paraphrases it, "those that slay with the sword:' some, as both Jarchi and Kimchi, observe, by an inversion of the letters... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:16

Go thee one way or another ,.... Go to some one place: or "unite thyself" F1 התאחדי "unito Montanus", Piscator, Polanus; "unitor te", Starckius; "in unum dirigitor", Cocceius. ; to other swords, or join other soldiers holding swords; the address is to the sword, to steer its course some one way, and slay as it goes along, sparing none: either on the right, or on the left; or south, or north ; so the Targum, "unsheathe, and slay on the south, and destroy on the north:' ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 21:17

I will also smite my hands together ,.... As well as the prophet was bid to do, Ezekiel 21:14 , either expressing a concern for the calamity of the people, or indignation at their sins: or rather as encouraging their enemies to make use of the sword pointed at them, and, as it were, rejoicing at their destruction for the honour of his justice. The Targum is, "and even I will bring vengeance upon vengeance:' and I will cause my fury to rest ; when the sword has done its business, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:14

Let the sword be doubled the third time - The sword has been doubled, and it shall come the third time. Nebuchadnezzar came against Judea Thrice. Against Jehoiakim. Against Jeconiah. Against Zedekiah. The sword had already been doubled; it is to come now the third time, i.e., against Zedekiah. The sword of the slain - חללים חרב chereb chalalim , "the sword of the soldiers," of the Chaldeans. So in the next clause, הגדול חלל חרב היא hi chereb chalal haggadol , "it is the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:15

Wrapped up - It is not a blunt sword, it is carefully sharpened and preserved for the slaughter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 21:16

Go thee one way or other - Thou shalt prosper, O sword, whithersoever thou turnest; against Ammon, or Judea, or Egypt. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:1-17

Irresistible slaughter. The subject matter of this prophecy is substantially the same as the foregoing. The parable is now put into plainest language. There is an advantage in using the parable method. It awakens attention. It leads men to examine and reflect. There is an excitement in discovering a riddle. Yet God will speak also to men in language plain enough tot the simplest understanding. No lost man is able to cast any blame on our God. We have "line upon line, precept upon precept."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 21:8-17

The sword. Among the great powers that have affected human history must be reckoned the sword. As the emblem of physical force, of the superiority of the great of the world, it has special significance for the student of human affairs. The vision of the sword revealed to Ezekiel the impending doom of the land of Israel, and particularly of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. When he saw in imagination the glittering blade and the keen edge, his mind anticipated the awful fate which was about to... read more

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