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.

Also, thou son {H1121} of man {H120}, appoint {H7760} thee two {H8147} ways {H1870}, that the sword {H2719} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} may come {H935}: both twain {H8147} shall come forth {H3318} out of one {H259} land {H776}: and choose {H1254} thou a place {H3027}, choose {H1254} it at the head {H7218} of the way {H1870} to the city {H5892}.

"Now, human being, designate two roads for the sword of the king of Bavel to follow, both coming out of one country. Put up a signpost at the start of the road leading to the city.

“Now you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same land. And make a signpost where the road branches off to each city.

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

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 21:19

Ezekiel 21 is a powerful prophetic oracle concerning the "sword of the Lord" – a vivid metaphor for divine judgment. In this chapter, God declares His intent to bring devastation upon Israel, specifically Jerusalem, and also upon the Ammonites, using King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as His instrument. Verse 19 initiates a symbolic act that the prophet Ezekiel is commanded to perform, illustrating a crucial decision point for the Babylonian king. Living in exile in Babylon, Ezekiel often communicated God's messages through dramatic, symbolic actions to convey the reality and certainty of God's impending judgment on Judah and its neighbors. This verse sets the stage for the specific choice Nebuchadnezzar faces, as detailed in the subsequent verses, between attacking Jerusalem or Rabbah of Ammon.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: The verse highlights that even the movements and decisions of powerful earthly kings, like Nebuchadnezzar, are ultimately guided and ordained by God to fulfill His purposes. God is not merely reacting to events but orchestrating them.
  • Prophetic Symbolism: Ezekiel's instruction to "appoint thee two ways" is a symbolic representation of a fork in the road, illustrating the strategic choice Nebuchadnezzar would make. It underscores the visual and dramatic nature of Ezekiel's prophetic ministry.
  • Imminent Judgment: The primary message is the certainty of the "sword of the king of Babylon" coming as a tool of God's judgment against those who have sinned against Him. This judgment is precise and unavoidable.
  • Foreshadowing of Decision: This verse serves as a dramatic setup for the Babylonian king's use of divination to decide which city to attack first – Jerusalem or Rabbah of Ammon. God is revealing the process of this fateful decision even before it happens.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam) is God's characteristic address to Ezekiel throughout his book, emphasizing Ezekiel's humanity and mortality in contrast to God's divine majesty. The "sword" (Hebrew: chereb) is a recurring motif in this chapter, representing not just a physical weapon but the instrument of God's righteous wrath and judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 21:19 reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the complex geopolitical maneuvers of nations. While human leaders make choices, God's overarching plan prevails. For believers, this offers comfort that God is in control, even amidst chaos and uncertainty. For those who disregard God's warnings, it serves as a stark reminder of the certainty of divine justice. Just as God used Nebuchadnezzar's "sword" to bring about His will, He continues to work through various means to accomplish His purposes, often bringing about consequences for disobedience, as seen throughout biblical history (e.g., Jeremiah 25:9).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 4:1

    ¶ Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, [even] Jerusalem:

  • Ezekiel 4:3

    Moreover take thou unto thee an iron pan, and set it [for] a wall of iron between thee and the city: and set thy face against it, and it shall be besieged, and thou shalt lay siege against it. This [shall be] a sign to the house of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 1:10

    See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

  • Ezekiel 5:1

    ¶ And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber's razor, and cause [it] to pass upon thine head and upon thy beard: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the [hair].

  • Ezekiel 5:17

    So will I send upon you famine and evil beasts, and they shall bereave thee; and pestilence and blood shall pass through thee; and I will bring the sword upon thee. I the LORD have spoken [it].