Ezekiel 21:22

At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint [battering] rams against the gates, to cast a mount, [and] to build a fort.

At his right hand {H3225} was the divination {H7081} for Jerusalem {H3389}, to appoint {H7760} captains {H3733}, to open {H6605} the mouth {H6310} in the slaughter {H7524}, to lift up {H7311} the voice {H6963} with shouting {H8643}, to appoint {H7760} battering rams {H3733} against the gates {H8179}, to cast {H8210} a mount {H5550}, and to build {H1129} a fort {H1785}.

Into his right hand comes the lot for Yerushalayim, to set up battering rams, give the order for slaughter, raise a shout, set battering rams against the gates, build siege ramps and erect watchtowers.

In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.

In his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounds, to build forts.

Context of Ezekiel 21:22

Ezekiel 21:22 is part of a vivid prophecy concerning King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon's invasion of Judah and the ultimate fall of Jerusalem. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 21:20-21) describe Nebuchadnezzar standing at a crossroads, using various forms of divination—arrows, teraphim (household idols), and inspecting animal livers—to decide which city to attack first: Rabbah of the Ammonites or Jerusalem. Verse 22 reveals the outcome of this pagan ritual: the lot for Jerusalem fell to his right hand, indicating it was the chosen target for immediate siege and destruction. This prophecy underscores God's sovereign control over even the actions of pagan kings and their rituals to bring about His divine judgment on His disobedient people.

Key Themes in Ezekiel 21:22

  • Divine Direction through Pagan Means: Despite Nebuchadnezzar's use of pagan divination, the outcome was precisely what God intended. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating He can orchestrate events and direct human wills, even those unaware of His purposes, to fulfill His prophetic word (Proverbs 21:1).
  • Imminent Judgment on Jerusalem: The verse paints a grim picture of the specific military actions the Babylonian army was divinely directed to take against Jerusalem. This was not a random attack but a targeted, detailed plan of destruction, signifying the inevitable judgment for Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.
  • Detailed Siege Warfare: The description of "appoint captains," "open the mouth in the slaughter," "lift up the voice with shouting," "appoint battering rams against the gates," "cast a mount," and "build a fort" provides a chillingly accurate account of ancient siege tactics. These were not mere threats but precise military instructions for the city's downfall, as historically recorded in 2 Kings 25:1-4 and Jeremiah 52:4-7.

Linguistic Insights

The term "divination" here is from the Hebrew word qesem (קֶסֶם), which refers to various pagan practices used to discern the future or the will of deities. While Israel was strictly forbidden from engaging in such practices (Deuteronomy 18:10), God, in His supreme authority, allowed Nebuchadnezzar's pagan divination to confirm His own predetermined plan. The detailed military terms like "battering rams" (kārîm - siege engines), "cast a mount" (shāpak solelāh - build a siege ramp), and "build a fort" (bānāh dāyēq - erect watchtowers or siege towers) accurately reflect the sophisticated and brutal siege techniques of the Babylonian army, demonstrating the specific nature of the impending doom.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 21:22 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate control over all affairs, even those seemingly orchestrated by human or pagan will. For believers today, it reinforces the truth that God's purposes will prevail, regardless of the apparent chaos or the methods used by those who oppose Him or are ignorant of Him. It also highlights the seriousness of divine judgment for persistent disobedience. While we do not face physical sieges in the same way, the principle remains: ignoring God's warnings and living in rebellion brings consequences. Conversely, for those who trust in God, this verse assures them that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, even utilizing unlikely means to achieve His perfect will.

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 4:2

    And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set [battering] rams against it round about.

  • Ezekiel 26:9

    And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.

  • 1 Samuel 17:20

    And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

  • Jeremiah 52:4

    And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

  • Jeremiah 33:4

    For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;

  • Exodus 32:17

    And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, [There is] a noise of war in the camp.

  • Exodus 32:18

    And he said, [It is] not the voice of [them that] shout for mastery, neither [is it] the voice of [them that] cry for being overcome: [but] the noise of [them that] sing do I hear.

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