Ezekiel 21:11

And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

And he hath given {H5414} it to be furbished {H4803}, that it may be handled {H3709}{H8610}: this sword {H2719} is sharpened {H2300}, and it is furbished {H4178}, to give {H5414} it into the hand {H3027} of the slayer {H2026}.

The sword was given to be polished, so that it could be wielded; it was sharpened and polished to be placed in the slaughterer's hand.'

The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.

And it is given to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword, it is sharpened, yea, it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

Context

Ezekiel 21 is a powerful prophetic oracle delivered to the prophet Ezekiel concerning God's impending judgment upon Jerusalem and the land of Israel. The entire chapter uses the vivid metaphor of a sharpened sword to symbolize the divine wrath that will be unleashed, primarily through the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. This specific verse, Ezekiel 21:11, emphasizes the meticulous preparation and absolute readiness of this instrument of judgment. It underscores that this is not a random act of war, but a divinely orchestrated punishment for the nation's idolatry and rebellion, serving as a stark warning of the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Ezekiel 21:3-5.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The verse clearly states "he hath given it to be furbished," highlighting God's active role in preparing and directing the judgment. This is not a human initiative but a divine one, where God Himself is the ultimate orchestrator of historical events and the dispenser of justice.
  • Inevitable and Ready Judgment: The repeated phrases "sharpened" and "furbished" (meaning polished and made ready) emphasize the certainty and immediacy of the impending destruction. The sword is not being prepared; it is prepared, ready to be put into action. This signals that the time for repentance has passed, and the execution of judgment is at hand.
  • The Sword as a Metaphor for Divine Wrath: The sword is a common biblical symbol for God's judgment and warfare (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:41-42). Here, it represents the destructive power God employs through human agents, in this case, the Babylonians, to achieve His righteous purposes. The "slayer" is the appointed instrument of God's righteous anger.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used in this verse reinforce the message of readiness and purpose:

  • The word translated "furbished" (Hebrew: meruhat) means to be polished, gleaming, or made smooth. It suggests a weapon not just sharp, but impeccably prepared for immediate and effective use, perhaps even ceremonially ready for its grim task.
  • "Sharpened" (Hebrew: ḥaddah) refers to the keenness of the blade, indicating its ability to cut deeply and effectively.
  • "Slayer" (Hebrew: yād-ḥōrēg) literally translates to "hand of the killer" or "hand of the executioner." This personifies the instrument of judgment, emphasizing that God has a specific agent (or agents) designated to carry out His will. This aligns with other prophecies where God identifies specific nations or individuals as His instruments of judgment, such as Nebuchadnezzar being called "my servant" in Jeremiah 25:9.

Practical Application

While this prophecy was specifically for ancient Israel, its underlying principles offer timeless lessons:

  • God's Justice is Real: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of justice who will hold nations and individuals accountable for their actions. His warnings are not idle threats, and judgment, though sometimes delayed, is certain for persistent disobedience.
  • Heed Divine Warnings: The readiness of the "sword" implies that there comes a point of no return. It underscores the urgency of responding to God's warnings and calls to repentance before the time of judgment arrives.
  • God's Sovereignty Over History: Even in times of great turmoil and destruction, this verse reminds us that God is ultimately in control. He uses various means, even seemingly destructive ones, to accomplish His divine will and bring about His ultimate purposes, including the purification of His people and the demonstration of His righteousness.
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.

  • Ezekiel 21:19

    Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose [it] at the head of the way to the city.

  • Jeremiah 51:20

    Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

  • Jeremiah 51:23

    I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

  • Jeremiah 25:33

    And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

  • Jeremiah 25:9

    Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

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