Ezekiel 17:21

And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it].

And all his fugitives {H4015} with all his bands {H102} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}, and they that remain {H7604} shall be scattered {H6566} toward all winds {H7307}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} it.

The elite troops among his forces will die by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every wind. Then you will know that I, ADONAI, said it.'

All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every wind. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken.’

And all his fugitives in all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward every wind: and ye shall know that I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

Ezekiel 17:21 KJV is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against King Zedekiah and the kingdom of Judah for their rebellion against Babylon, seen as a breach of a solemn oath. This verse brings to a dramatic close the interpretive section of the intricate allegory presented earlier in the chapter.

Context

This verse is found within Ezekiel's detailed allegory of two great eagles and a vine (Ezekiel 17:1-10), followed by its interpretation (Ezekiel 17:11-21). The first eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who had taken King Jehoiachin into captivity and set up Zedekiah as a vassal king in Jerusalem. The vine represents the kingdom of Judah, and its branches are its people. The second eagle symbolizes Pharaoh of Egypt.

King Zedekiah, despite swearing an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar in the name of the Lord, betrayed this covenant by seeking military aid from Egypt (Ezekiel 17:15). God viewed this broken oath as a direct affront to Him, as it was sworn in His name (Ezekiel 17:19). Ezekiel 17:21 prophesies the severe consequences of this rebellion: the complete defeat and dispersion of Zedekiah's forces and remaining supporters.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse unequivocally declares God's righteous judgment against Judah for its infidelity and rebellion.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It highlights the severe repercussions for breaking solemn vows and defying God's established order, even when mediated through earthly rulers.
  • Scattering and Dispersion: The prophecy of the remaining people being "scattered toward all winds" signifies a complete and widespread dispersion, a recurring theme in prophetic books concerning Israel's exile and loss of national cohesion (Ezekiel 12:15).
  • God's Sovereignty and Word: The emphatic declaration, "and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it]," powerfully underscores God's absolute control over historical events and the certain fulfillment of His prophetic word.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "all his fugitives with all his bands" refers to Zedekiah's soldiers who attempt to flee, along with their supporting troops or allied groups. It vividly portrays the utter defeat and disarray of his military strength.
  • "Scattered toward all winds" is an idiom signifying a total and widespread dispersion, leaving no possibility of regrouping or finding refuge. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment.
  • The concluding statement, "and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it]," is a significant and frequently repeated formula throughout the book of Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel 6:10, Ezekiel 25:17). This divine signature serves to affirm the truth, inevitability, and divine origin of the prophecy, reminding both the original audience and future generations of God's ultimate authority and faithfulness to His word, whether in judgment or blessing.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:21 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Integrity and Oaths: The verse serves as a solemn reminder of the gravity of covenants and promises. While Zedekiah's oath was to an earthly king, it was sworn in the Lord's name. This highlights the importance of integrity, faithfulness, and keeping one's word, not only to God but also in all human dealings.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: It illustrates that rebellion against divinely permitted authority and spiritual disobedience carry significant consequences. God is just and ensures that His will is ultimately carried out, even through difficult circumstances and the downfall of human schemes.
  • Certainty of God's Word: The powerful declaration "ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it]" provides both a warning and a comfort. It warns that God's judgments are sure and unavoidable for those who persist in rebellion. Yet, it also assures us that His promises of restoration, forgiveness, and a new covenant (as seen later in Ezekiel, like the promise of a new heart and spirit) are equally certain and will surely come to pass. We can fully trust in the unwavering truth and power of God's declarations.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 25:5

    And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.

  • 2 Kings 25:11

    Now the rest of the people [that were] left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.

  • Ezekiel 12:14

    And I will scatter toward every wind all that [are] about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.

  • Ezekiel 5:12

    A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.

  • Ezekiel 13:14

    So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered [morter], and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 15:7

    And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.

  • Ezekiel 13:23

    Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

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