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Ezekiel 21
Ezekiel 21:1
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:2
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity or "Mortal person" or "Human." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1.
set your face toward Jerusalem
This is a command to stare at Jerusalem as a symbol of punishing the people there. Alternate translation: "stare at Jerusalem" or "stare at Jerusalem so that the people there will be harmed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
set your face toward Jerusalem
Jerusalem was far away, so Ezekiel could not see it, but staring in that direction would be a symbol of harming it. See how you translated a similar phrase in Ezekiel 6:2 Alternate translation: "Turn toward Jerusalem and stare" or "stare toward Jerusalem so that the people there will be harmed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Ezekiel 21:3
I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off both the righteous person and the wicked person from you
This speaks of Yahweh causing these people to die as if he actually killed them with his own sword. Alternate translation: "I am opposed to you, and it will be as though I pull my sword from its sheath to kill both the righteous and the wicked people among you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the righteous person and the wicked person
"righteous people and wicked people." This refers to multiple people, not just one righteous person and one wicked person.
sheath
something that holds and covers a sword when no one is using it
cut off
This is a euphemism that means to kill. Alternate translation: "kill" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
Ezekiel 21:4
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the land of Israel.
cut off
This is a euphemism that means to kill. Alternate translation: "kill" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
the righteous ... the wicked
This refers to righteous and wicked people. Alternate translation: "those who are righteous ... those who are wicked" or "the righteous people ... the wicked people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
from you
"among you"
my sword will go out from its sheath against
This speaks of Yahweh causing these people to die as if he actually killed them with his own sword. Alternate translation: "it will be as though I pull my sword from its sheath and strike" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
all flesh
Here "flesh" is a metonym for "people." Alternate translation: "all people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
from the south to the north
This is a merism that refers to the area to the north, and to the south, and all places in between. Alternate translation: "in every direction" or "everywhere" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
Ezekiel 21:5
that I, Yahweh, have drawn my sword from its sheath
This speaks of Yahweh causing people to die as if he actually killed them with his own sword. Alternate translation: "it is as though I, Yahweh, have struck people with my sword" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
It will no longer hold back
This speaks of Yahweh not holding back his sword from attacking people as if his sword were a person that was no longer holding itself back from attacking. Alternate translation: "and I will not put it back in its sheath again" or "I will not hold back from attacking people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
Ezekiel 21:6
General Information:
Yahweh is speaking to Ezekiel.
groan as your loins break
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to groan as a sign to accompany his message. He tells him to groan deeply as if his abdomen was in great pain. "groan deeply as if your loins were in great pain" or "groan deeply with great sorrow" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
In bitterness groan
"With great grief" or "With great sorrow"
before their eyes
Here the Israelites are referred to by their "eyes" to emphasize what they see. Alternate translation: "before them" or "before the Israelite people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Ezekiel 21:7
the news that is coming
This speaks of the "news" as if it were a person that was soon coming to them. Alternate translation: "the news that they will soon hear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
for every heart will faint away
This speaks of people becoming afraid, as if their hearts were fainting. Also, this speaks of the people fainting as a result of fear. Alternate translation: "for everyone will become fearful" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
will falter
"will be weak"
Every spirit will grow faint
This speaks of people becoming fearful in their spirits as if their spirits were about to faint. Alternate translation: "Everyone will be fearful in their inner being" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
every knee will flow like water
"every knee will be as weak as water." This is a euphemism for people being so afraid that they lose their bladder control and urinate on themselves. Alternate translation: "every leg will be wet with urine" or "everyone will lose control of their urine" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:11. Alternate translation: "this is what the Lord Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Ezekiel 21:8
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:9
A sword! A sword! It will be sharpened and polished!
This passage describes the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for an enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. This metaphor begins here and continues through Ezekiel 21:17. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
It will be sharpened and polished
This phrase indicates that the sword is ready for someone to use it. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It is sharp and polished" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
polished
Someone made the sword smooth, shiny, and clean by rubbing it with a rough material.
Ezekiel 21:10
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues to describe the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for the enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
It will be sharpened ... It will be polished in order to
These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will sharpen it ... I will polish it so that it will" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
in order to be like lightning
This means that the sword will be so shiny that light reflects off of it easily and brightly. Alternate translation: "so that it flashes like lightning" or "so that light reflects off of it as brightly as lightning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Should we rejoice in my son's scepter?
This rhetorical question emphasizes that the people of Israel will not celebrate their king's power, because it cannot resist the "sword." Alternate translation: "The people of Judah will not celebrate about their king's scepter." or "we should not celebrate the power of our king's scepter." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Should we
The word "we" refers to Ezekiel and the people of Israel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)
in my son's scepter
Here Yahweh refers to the king of Judah as his son. The king's scepter represents his rule as king. It is important to maintain the image of the king's scepter here, as the words "every such rod" refer to the scepter. Alternate translation: "in the king's scepter" or "in the power that the king's scepter represents" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
The coming sword hates every such rod
Here the "sword" is personified as coming to attack the people. This speaks of the king not being able to resist the "sword", as if the "sword" were hating the king's scepter. Alternate translation: "the sword will overpower his scepter like that of any other ruler" or "for the king will not be able to resist when the sword is brought against him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
such rod
This phrase is used to mock the king's scepter by calling it a "rod." Alternate translation: "such scepter" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-irony)
Ezekiel 21:11
the sword will be given to be polished
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will polish the sword" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
then to be grasped by the hand
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "then the right person will hold it in his hand" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
it is to be given into the hand of the one who kills
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "it is ready for the killer to use" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 21:12
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues to describe the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for the enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
that sword has come against my people! It is against all
This speaks of Yahweh's sword attacking his people as if the sword itself were the attacker. Alternate translation: "I will use my sword to kill my people! I will bring it against all" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
They are thrown against the sword with my people
This speaks of the leaders of Israel being killed with a sword as if they are thrown against the sword. Alternate translation: "They are killed with the sword along with my people" or "The sword will kill them along with my people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
slap your thigh
In Ezekiel's culture, slapping one's thigh was a sign of grief. Some other translation use the gesture of beating one's breast which is a sign of grief in many cultures. Alternate translation: "beat your chests" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Ezekiel 21:13
the scepter
Here the king of Judah is represented by his scepter. Alternate translation: "the king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
does not last
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "cannot resist" or "is destroyed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:14
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues to describe the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for the enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
hit your two hands together
This means for him to clap his hands as a sign of his grief. Alternate translation: "clap your hands to show that you are very sad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
even a third time
This is an idiom that means multiple times. Alternate translation: "again and again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
A sword for the ones to be slaughtered
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It is a sword for slaughtering people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
It is a sword for the many to be slaughtered
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It is a sword for slaughtering many people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
piercing them everywhere
"attacking them from every side." Some Bibles translate this as "which enters into their rooms." This means no matter where they hide, the sword will kill them.
piercing them
The word "them" refers to the people of Jerusalem and of the land of Israel.
Ezekiel 21:15
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues to describe the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for the enemy army that Yahweh will use to attack Jerusalem. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
to melt their hearts
This speaks of causing the people to be so terrified that it is as if their hearts were melting. Alternate translation: "to fill them with terror" or "to cause them to be terrified" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
to multiply their fallen
Here "fallen" refers to the people killed in battle. This means there will be a greater number of people killed. Alternate translation: "to kill many people among them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
set the sword for slaughter
Here the sword of Yahweh represents men with swords that are to attack Jerusalem. Also, the word "slaughter" can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: "placed soldiers armed with swords at their gates, ready to slaughter the people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
their gates
The word "their" refers to the people of Jerusalem.
It is made like lightning
This compares how the sword is well polished and how it reflects light to appear like lightning. Alternate translation: "My sword is polished and flashes like lightning" or "It is polished and reflects light as being like lightning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
it is grasped for slaughter
The sword of Yahweh represents the men with swords that are to attack Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "released to slaughter the people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 21:16
You, sword! Strike to the right! ... Go wherever your face is turned.
Here Yahweh speaks to those who will attack his people as if they could hear him and as if they were a sword that they would use in the attack. He does this to emphasize that he is in control of what is happening during the attack. The phrase "wherever your face is turned" is an idiom for "wherever you desire to go." Alternate translation: "I tell those attacking with swords, 'Strike to the right! ... Attack in every direction.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-apostrophe and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:17
hit my two hands together
"clap my hands." Here clapping hands is a sign of triumph. Alternate translation: "clap my hands in triumph" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Ezekiel 21:18
The word of Yahweh came to me again
The phrase "the word of Yahweh came" is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 18:1. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke to me again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:19
the sword of the king of Babylon
The word "sword" is a metonym for soldiers who kill people using swords. Alternate translation: "the soldiers of the king of Babylon" or "the Babylonian army" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
a signpost will mark one of them as leading to a city
This is a sign posted where the road divides into two roads. Alternate translation: "a sign will be posted where the road divides into two roads" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Ezekiel 21:20
General Information:
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Ezekiel 21:21
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message.
at the crossroads, at the junction
Both of these phrases refer to the place where the two roads meet. Alternate translation: "at the crossroads" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
He will shake some arrows and ask direction from some idols and he will examine a liver
These are divination practices.
Ezekiel 21:22
In his right hand will be an omen about Jerusalem
This means the he will hold one of the articles of his divination that was read as an omen against Jerusalem in his right hand. Alternate translation: "In his right hand will be an article of divination with an omen against Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
battering rams
A battering ram was a cut tree or large log with a sharpened end or an end covered in metal. It was held by several men who would pound the end against a wall.
to build a ramp
These were large dirt ramps that the Babylonian soldiers built so that they could get onto the walls of Jerusalem.
siege towers
These were wooden towers that the Babylonian soldiers built around Jerusalem to enable them to shoot arrows over the walls of Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 21:23
in the eyes of the ones in Jerusalem
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: "in the thoughts of the people in Jerusalem" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 21:24
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Jerusalem.
Because you have made your guilt to be remembered
"Because you remind me of your iniquity"
you will be taken in hand
This can be stated in active form. The "enemy's hand" represents the enemy's control. Alternate translation: "your enemy will take you in his hand" or "your enemies will capture you and take you into captivity" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 21:25
General Information:
Yahweh gives Ezekiel his message to the ruler of Israel.
whose day of punishment has come
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "whom Yahweh will now punish" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
whose time of committing iniquity has ended
"at the time when Yahweh ends iniquity"
Ezekiel 21:26
the turban
"the king's turban." A turban is a beautiful piece of cloth that kings wore wrapped on their heads as a symbol of their authority.
the lowly ... the exalted
This refers to people with low status and people who are exalted. Alternate translation: "those who are lowly ... those who are exalted" or "those with low status ... those with high status" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
Ezekiel 21:27
It will not be restored
Here the crown represents the position of king. The kingship will not be restored until the Messiah comes. Alternate translation: "There will no longer be a king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the one comes who is assigned
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the one comes who I assign" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 21:28
concerning their coming disgrace
The word "disgrace" can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: "about how he will disgrace them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
A sword, a sword is drawn! It is sharpened for the slaughter
This refers to the sword of Yahweh which is a metaphor for the soldiers that Yahweh uses to kill a large number of people who have been disobedient to him. Alternate translation: "Swords! My soldiers have drawn their swords! They are sharpened for the slaughter" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
is drawn
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "is out of its sheath"
It is sharpened for the slaughter in order to devour
This speaks of the soldiers killing people as if they were animals devouring their prey. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "It is sharp in order to slaughter and to kill people"
so it will be like lightning
This means that the sword is so shiny that light reflects off of it easily and brightly. Alternate translation: "and light reflects off of it as brightly as lightning" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Ezekiel 21:29
empty visions for you ... with lies for you
"empty visions for you Ammonites ... with lies for you Ammonites." The word "you" refers to the people of Ammon. In the original Biblical language, the word "your" is feminine singular and refers to the nation of Ammon. Nations were often thought of as a woman. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
empty visions
This speaks of visions being false and meaningless as if they were empty containers. Alternate translation: "visions that are not true" or "false visions" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the wicked
This refers to wicked people. Alternate translation: "those who are wicked" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj)
who are about to be killed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "who are about to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
whose day of punishment has come and whose time of iniquity is about to end
The phrases "day of" and "time of" are idioms. Alternate translation: "for the time has come for them to be punished and for their iniquity to end" or "for the time has come for me to punish them and for them to no longer be able to commit wickedness" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 21:30
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Ammon.
Return the sword to its sheath
"Later the sword will be put back in its sheath." This speaks of the soldiers withdrawing from attacking Jerusalem, by saying that Yahweh's sword is put back in its sheath. Alternate translation: "But later the soldiers will return their swords to their sheaths, for the time of slaughter will be over" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
sheath
This is something that holds and covers a sword when no one is using it. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 21:3.
In the place of your creation
The word "creation" may be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: "In the place that I created you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Ezekiel 21:31
I will pour out my indignation on you
This speaks of Yahweh punishing the Babylonians because of his indignation against them as if his indignation were a liquid that he poured out of a container upon them. Alternate translation: "I will punish you because of indignation against you" or "Out of my anger I will punish you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
I will fan the fire of my rage against you
This compares Yahweh's rage to a consuming fire. Alternate translation: "I will bring my rage upon you like a blazing fire" or "I will punish you in my fierce anger" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the hand of cruel men
The "hand" of the men refers to their control. Alternate translation: "the control of cruel men" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
craftsmen of destruction
"men who cause great destruction"
Ezekiel 21:32
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to the people of Ammon.
You will become fuel for the fire
"The fire will burn up your bodies"
Your blood will be in the midst of the land
"Your blood will soak into the ground of your land"
You will not be remembered
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "No one will remember you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)