Ezekiel 33:21

¶ And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, [that] one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

And it came to pass in the twelfth {H8147}{H6240} year {H8141} of our captivity {H1546}, in the tenth {H6224} month, in the fifth {H2568} day of the month {H2320}, that one that had escaped {H6412} out of Jerusalem {H3389} came {H935} unto me, saying {H559}, The city {H5892} is smitten {H5221}.

In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Yerushalayim came to me with the news, "The city has been struck."

In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!”

And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

Ezekiel 33:21 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Ezekiel, serving as a dramatic turning point in the prophet’s ministry and message. This verse delivers the long-anticipated, devastating news of Jerusalem's fall, shifting the focus from impending judgment to the aftermath and future hope.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel had been living among the exiles in Babylon since the second deportation of Judah (597 BC), specifically by the Chebar Canal. For years, his prophecies had warned of God's impending judgment against Jerusalem due to its idolatry and rebellion. This verse pinpoints the exact date of the messenger's arrival: "the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month." This specific timing is significant because it arrives approximately six months after the actual destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (which occurred in the fifth month of the eleventh year of captivity, according to Jeremiah 52:12). The delay in news reaching Ezekiel underscores the geographical distance and the difficulty of communication during that era.

Prior to this, Ezekiel's mouth had been shut regarding direct prophecies about Jerusalem, symbolizing the impending silence of God's direct communication with the city as its judgment approached (Ezekiel 24:27). With the arrival of the escapee and the confirmation of the city's destruction, Ezekiel's role as a "watchman" takes on a new dimension, moving from warning to explaining the consequences and offering future restoration.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse undeniably confirms the accuracy and reliability of God's word, as spoken through Ezekiel and other prophets like Jeremiah. The news that "The city is smitten" validates all the dire warnings that had been given.
  • Divine Judgment: The fall of Jerusalem was not a random historical event but the culmination of God's righteous judgment against a people who had persistently rejected His covenant and embraced pagan practices. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sustained disobedience.
  • Transition in Ministry: For Ezekiel, this moment marks a profound shift. His prophetic task changes from issuing warnings of impending doom to providing comfort, explaining the reasons for the exile, and prophesying about Judah's future restoration and the new covenant with a new heart and spirit.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The city is smitten" uses the Hebrew verb נָכָה (nakah), which means "to strike," "to smite," or "to hit." In this context, it powerfully conveys the idea of being utterly conquered, defeated, and destroyed. It's a blunt, unvarnished declaration of Jerusalem's complete devastation, leaving no room for doubt about its fate.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 33:21 reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • God's Word is True: Just as God's prophecies concerning judgment were fulfilled, so too will His promises of salvation and restoration be realized. This reinforces the trustworthiness of the entire biblical narrative.
  • Accountability: The destruction of Jerusalem underscores that actions have consequences, especially when we disregard divine warnings. It calls believers to serious reflection on their own obedience and faithfulness.
  • Hope Beyond Despair: While the news of the smitten city was devastating, it cleared the way for God's redemptive plan for His people. Even amidst destruction and loss, God's purposes endure, and His plan for restoration can begin. This verse sets the stage for the glorious prophecies of the Valley of Dry Bones and the promise of a renewed Israel.
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 1:2

    In the fifth [day] of the month, which [was] the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,

  • Ezekiel 24:26

    [That] he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause [thee] to hear [it] with [thine] ears?

  • Ezekiel 24:27

    In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 32:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first [day] of the month, [that] the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

  • 2 Chronicles 36:17

    Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:21

    To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: [for] as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

  • 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.

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