Ezekiel 21:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Shall I cause [it] to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Cause it to return to its scabbard! I will judge you in the place where you were created, in the land of your origin.

Berean Standard Bible:

Return the sword to its sheath! In the place where you were created, in the land of your origin, I will judge you.

American Standard Version:

Cause it to return into its sheath. In the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy birth, will I judge thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Shall I cause it to return^{H7725} into his sheath^{H8593}? I will judge^{H8199} thee in the place^{H4725} where thou wast created^{H1254}, in the land^{H776} of thy nativity^{H4351}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Ezekiel 21:30

Ezekiel 21:30 is part of a larger prophetic oracle found in Ezekiel chapters 20-23, which condemns Israel for its idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The verse is set within the context of the Babylonian exile, a period in the 6th century BCE when many Jews were taken into captivity by the Babylonian Empire, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in 586 BCE.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, using the metaphor of a sword that has been drawn and will not be returned to its sheath—symbolizing impending judgment and destruction. The phrase "I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity" suggests that the judgment will take place in the land of Israel itself, the birthplace of the people. This is a direct message to the Israelites that they will not escape God's judgment by being in exile; rather, the consequences of their actions will be faced in their own land.

The themes present in this verse include divine judgment, the sovereignty of God over nations, and the idea that the covenant between God and Israel entails both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Ezekiel's message is one of severe warning, but also carries an underlying promise that after judgment, there is hope for restoration and a new beginning for those who repent and return to God. This hope is further developed later in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet also speaks of a future restoration of Israel and the coming of a new covenant.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8593
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תַּעַר
   Transliteration: taʻar
   Pronunciation: tah'-ar
   Description: from עָרָה; a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e. empty); (pen-) knife, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8199
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפַט
   Transliteration: shâphaṭ
   Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4725
   There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָקוֹם
   Transliteration: mâqôwm
   Pronunciation: maw-kome'
   Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
   
5. Strong's Number: H1254
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּרָא
   Transliteration: bârâʼ
   Pronunciation: baw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes); choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).
   
6. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4351
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְכוּרָה
   Transliteration: mᵉkûwrâh
   Pronunciation: mek-oo-raw'
   Description: or מְכֹרָה; from the same as כּוּר in the sense of dipping; origin (as if a mine); birth, habitation, nativity.