This verse demonstrates God’s unwavering sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment on wayward nations.
“As for you, son of man, make two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come; both of them will go out of one land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to the city.” (v.19) In this passage, the LORD addresses Ezekiel, called “son of man,” instructing him to prepare a symbolic representation of two paths for the enemy’s sword. The significance of Babylon lies in its historical prominence as an empire centered in the region corresponding to modern-day Iraq, a vital trade and cultural crossroads of the ancient Near East during the 6th century BC. By commanding Ezekiel to create these two ways, the LORD vividly underscores that judgment would be directed specifically and unavoidably, so there is no question which route the destructive force would take.
“As for you, son of man, make two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come…” (v.19) suggests that Ezekiel must illustrate that Babylon, under the rule of its king (often historically linked to Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from approximately 605 BC to 562 BC), will use its military might to bring divine judgment upon the land. The sword represents a decisive and divinely sanctioned instrument of war. The prophet’s act of making a signpost embodies how God’s judgment would not be accidental but carefully directed, resonating with other biblical depictions of judgment that are both forewarned and carried out at God’s command Isaiah 10:5).
By stating, “…both of them will go out of one land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to the city.” (v.19), the verse emphasizes that a singular source of invasion—Babylon—would branch into two possible routes. Ezekiel’s illustrative signpost was meant to serve as a guided indicator, highlighting that the LORD controls the outcome and path of destruction, an idea mirrored throughout Scripture where His sovereignty extends over nations and kings alike Acts 17:26).
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Ezekiel 21:19 meaning
“As for you, son of man, make two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come; both of them will go out of one land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to the city.” (v.19) In this passage, the LORD addresses Ezekiel, called “son of man,” instructing him to prepare a symbolic representation of two paths for the enemy’s sword. The significance of Babylon lies in its historical prominence as an empire centered in the region corresponding to modern-day Iraq, a vital trade and cultural crossroads of the ancient Near East during the 6th century BC. By commanding Ezekiel to create these two ways, the LORD vividly underscores that judgment would be directed specifically and unavoidably, so there is no question which route the destructive force would take.
“As for you, son of man, make two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to come…” (v.19) suggests that Ezekiel must illustrate that Babylon, under the rule of its king (often historically linked to Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from approximately 605 BC to 562 BC), will use its military might to bring divine judgment upon the land. The sword represents a decisive and divinely sanctioned instrument of war. The prophet’s act of making a signpost embodies how God’s judgment would not be accidental but carefully directed, resonating with other biblical depictions of judgment that are both forewarned and carried out at God’s command Isaiah 10:5).
By stating, “…both of them will go out of one land. And make a signpost; make it at the head of the way to the city.” (v.19), the verse emphasizes that a singular source of invasion—Babylon—would branch into two possible routes. Ezekiel’s illustrative signpost was meant to serve as a guided indicator, highlighting that the LORD controls the outcome and path of destruction, an idea mirrored throughout Scripture where His sovereignty extends over nations and kings alike Acts 17:26).