God’s relentless sword of judgment warns that persistent rebellion leads inevitably to devastating consequences.
In this verse, the LORD speaks to His prophet, calling him by the familiar designation “son of man,” which emphasizes his human frailty and distinct role as a messenger of divine revelation. Ezekiel is directed to convey the unmistakable reality of harsh judgment: “You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together; and let the sword come down twice, the third time, the sword for the slain; it is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them” (v.14). The act of clapping hands was often a gesture of finality or emphasis, underscoring the stunning force of the pronouncement. In Ezekiel’s historical timeline (around 593-571 BC), he lived in Babylon during the exile, where he continued to enlighten the Jewish people—all while far away from their homeland of Judah. Even distant captivity did not spare them from hearing about the approaching sword of the LORD’s judgment.
This imagery of the sword magnifies the severity and repetition of the disaster about to descend. It is not simply one wave of conflict or destruction, but multiple waves, symbolizing that the devastation would be decisive and thorough. In the ancient Near East, the sword commonly served as a symbol of warfare, especially in prophetic texts, illustrating the imminent, unstoppable nature of God’s discipline. The repetition, “twice, the third time,” reveals increasing intensification. The reference to “the great one slain” further highlights the extraordinary importance of this judgment, as though God’s wrath would target even the prideful or most secure among the people. The prophet Ezekiel warns that everyone, from leaders to common citizens, would be affected, pointing to God’s absolute sovereignty.
The prophecy also foreshadows the ultimate need for righteousness before God. Although this particular passage is rooted in the circumstances of ancient Israel and the coming onslaught upon rebellious Judah, it contains a principle that resonates throughout Scripture: unrepentant wrongdoing eventually brings divine correction (Romans 2:5). This concept finds its ultimate resolution in Christ’s sacrificial atonement, which invites all to repentance and reconciliation to avoid spiritual judgment (John 3:17). Ezekiel’s role in proclaiming impending disaster parallels the New Testament’s repeated call to turn to the LORD for salvation.
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Ezekiel 21:14 meaning
In this verse, the LORD speaks to His prophet, calling him by the familiar designation “son of man,” which emphasizes his human frailty and distinct role as a messenger of divine revelation. Ezekiel is directed to convey the unmistakable reality of harsh judgment: “You therefore, son of man, prophesy and clap your hands together; and let the sword come down twice, the third time, the sword for the slain; it is the sword for the great one slain, which surrounds them” (v.14). The act of clapping hands was often a gesture of finality or emphasis, underscoring the stunning force of the pronouncement. In Ezekiel’s historical timeline (around 593-571 BC), he lived in Babylon during the exile, where he continued to enlighten the Jewish people—all while far away from their homeland of Judah. Even distant captivity did not spare them from hearing about the approaching sword of the LORD’s judgment.
This imagery of the sword magnifies the severity and repetition of the disaster about to descend. It is not simply one wave of conflict or destruction, but multiple waves, symbolizing that the devastation would be decisive and thorough. In the ancient Near East, the sword commonly served as a symbol of warfare, especially in prophetic texts, illustrating the imminent, unstoppable nature of God’s discipline. The repetition, “twice, the third time,” reveals increasing intensification. The reference to “the great one slain” further highlights the extraordinary importance of this judgment, as though God’s wrath would target even the prideful or most secure among the people. The prophet Ezekiel warns that everyone, from leaders to common citizens, would be affected, pointing to God’s absolute sovereignty.
The prophecy also foreshadows the ultimate need for righteousness before God. Although this particular passage is rooted in the circumstances of ancient Israel and the coming onslaught upon rebellious Judah, it contains a principle that resonates throughout Scripture: unrepentant wrongdoing eventually brings divine correction (Romans 2:5). This concept finds its ultimate resolution in Christ’s sacrificial atonement, which invites all to repentance and reconciliation to avoid spiritual judgment (John 3:17). Ezekiel’s role in proclaiming impending disaster parallels the New Testament’s repeated call to turn to the LORD for salvation.