Ezekiel 21:11
Ezekiel 21:11 in Multiple Translations
The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
And it is given to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword, it is sharpened, yea, it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
And I have given it to the polisher so that it may be taken in the hand: he has made the sword sharp, he has had it polished, to put it into the hand of him who gives death.
The sword is being polished right now, ready to be used. It's sharp and polished, ready to be handed over to the killer.
And he hath giuen it to be fourbished, that he may handle it: this sword is sharpe, and is fourbished, that he may giue it into ye hand of the slayer.
And he giveth it for polishing, For laying hold of by the hand. It is sharpened — the sword — and polished, To give it into the hand of a slayer.
It is given to be polished, that it may be handled. The sword is sharpened. Yes, it is polished to give it into the hand of the killer.”’
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: the sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
And I have given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, that it may be in the hand of the slayer.
A sword should be polished, and be grasped in someone’s hand. It should be sharpened and polished, ready for someone to use it to kill people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 21:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 21:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אַתָּ֥ה
בֶן
אָדָ֖ם
הֵֽאָנַ֑ח
בְּ/שִׁבְר֤וֹן
מָתְנַ֨יִם֙
וּ/בִ/מְרִיר֔וּת
תֵּֽאָנַ֖ח
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶֽם
וְ/אַתָּ֥ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Conj | Pron
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
הֵֽאָנַ֑ח
ʼânach
H584
to sigh
V-Niphal-Impv-2ms
בְּ/שִׁבְר֤וֹן
shibrôwn
H7670
breaking
Prep | N-ms
מָתְנַ֨יִם֙
môthen
H4975
loin
N-md
וּ/בִ/מְרִיר֔וּת
mᵉrîyrûwth
H4814
bitterness
Conj | Prep | N-fs
תֵּֽאָנַ֖ח
ʼânach
H584
to sigh
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶֽם
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 21:11
וְ/אַתָּ֥ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Conj | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
הֵֽאָנַ֑ח
ʼânach
H584
"to sigh"
V-Niphal-Impv-2ms
To sigh means to groan or mourn in pain or grief, like an animal moaning, and is used to express deep emotional distress in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Niphal) sigh, groan (in pain or grief), gasp 1a) moan (of cattle)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: groan, mourn, sigh. See also: Exodus 2:23; Lamentations 1:11; Proverbs 29:2.
בְּ/שִׁבְר֤וֹן
shibrôwn
H7670
"breaking"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means a breaking or shattering, and is often used to describe destruction or ruin, like the devastation of a city. It can also mean a pang of pain or a difficult time. In the Bible, it appears in descriptions of wars and natural disasters.
Definition: destruction, breaking, shattering, crushing
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: breaking, destruction. See also: Jeremiah 17:18; Ezekiel 21:11.
מָתְנַ֨יִם֙
môthen
H4975
"loin"
N-md
Refers to the waist or small of the back, often translated as loins or hips, as seen in Proverbs 30:31. It can also describe the sides of an animal. The word is only used in plural form.
Definition: 1) loins, hips 1a) used with zar.zir (זַרְזִיר "greyhound" H2223) in Pr 30:31; perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] greyhound, loins, side. See also: Genesis 37:34; Isaiah 20:2; Psalms 66:11.
וּ/בִ/מְרִיר֔וּת
mᵉrîyrûwth
H4814
"bitterness"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means bitterness, or grief, and is used to describe emotional pain. It is used in various books of the Bible, including Ruth and Job, to convey a sense of sorrow.
Definition: bitterness
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: bitterness. See also: Ezekiel 21:11.
תֵּֽאָנַ֖ח
ʼânach
H584
"to sigh"
V-Niphal-Imperf-2ms
To sigh means to groan or mourn in pain or grief, like an animal moaning, and is used to express deep emotional distress in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Niphal) sigh, groan (in pain or grief), gasp 1a) moan (of cattle)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: groan, mourn, sigh. See also: Exodus 2:23; Lamentations 1:11; Proverbs 29:2.
לְ/עֵינֵי/הֶֽם
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 21:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 21:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:11
- Sermons on Ezekiel 21:11
Context — God’s Sword of Judgment
9“Son of man, prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord says: ‘A sword, a sword, sharpened and polished—
10it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.
11The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped in the hand. It is sharpened and polished, to be placed in the hand of the slayer.
12Cry out and wail, O son of man, for the sword is wielded against My people; it is against all the princes of Israel! They are tossed to the sword with My people; therefore strike your thigh. 13Surely testing will come! And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue?’ declares the Lord GOD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 21:19 | “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. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 25:33 | Those slain by the LORD on that day will be spread from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned, gathered, or buried. They will be like dung lying on the ground. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 51:20–23 | “You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. With you I shatter the shepherd and his flock; with you I shatter the farmer and his oxen; with you I shatter the governors and officials. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 25:9 | behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. |
Ezekiel 21:11 Summary
Ezekiel 21:11 is a verse about God's judgment and preparation for battle, where the sword is polished and sharpened, ready to be used by the slayer. This verse can be understood as a warning to God's people to turn from their sins and return to Him, as seen in Jeremiah 18:7-10. The polishing of the sword is a symbol of God's readiness to act in judgment, and it reminds us that God is a God of justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 119:137. By understanding this verse, we can see the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and being prepared for His coming judgment, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the sword represent in Ezekiel 21:11?
The sword in Ezekiel 21:11 represents God's judgment and the destruction that will come upon Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 21:9-10 and also in Jeremiah 25:29 where God says, 'I will summon all the families of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations.'
Who is the slayer mentioned in Ezekiel 21:11?
The slayer mentioned in Ezekiel 21:11 is likely Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who was used by God as an instrument of judgment against Israel, as seen in Jeremiah 27:6 and Habakkuk 1:6.
Is the polishing of the sword a literal or figurative act?
The polishing of the sword in Ezekiel 21:11 is likely a figurative act, symbolizing the preparation and readiness of God's judgment, similar to the sharpening of the sword in Psalm 7:12 where God is prepared to judge the wicked.
How does this verse relate to God's sovereignty?
Ezekiel 21:11 demonstrates God's sovereignty over all nations and events, as He is the one who appoints the sword and places it in the hand of the slayer, as seen in Isaiah 45:5-7 where God says, 'I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.'
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God's judgment can be seen in the world today, and how can we as believers respond to it?
- How can we balance the idea of God's sovereignty with the reality of human sin and rebellion, as seen in Ezekiel 21:11 and Romans 9:20-21?
- In what ways can we be prepared for the coming judgment, and what role does repentance play in this preparation, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9-14?
- How does the image of the polished sword affect your understanding of God's character and His relationship with His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Hebrews 12:5-11?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:11
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it might be handled,.... Either Nebuchadnezzar, or rather God, or the Son of God, prepared and brightened the sword, that it might be handled and made use
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:11
And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
He hath given it; either God, whose sword it is; or Nebuchadnezzar, God’ s servant herein. Some refer it to Christ, who is Lord and Sovereign of his church, and Governor of the world. That it may be handled; be the fitter for use in the hand of the slayer, i.e. the Chaldean.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
Ezekiel 21:11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.Ver. 11. To give it into the hand of the slayer.] Nebuchadnezzar, who will therewith lay about him lustily, as Eleazar once did till his hand clave unto the sword, or as since Scanderbeg, who killed many hundred Turks with his own hand, and fought oft with so much eagerness, that the very blood brake forth at his lips. Turkish History.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
(11) The slayer is here mentioned indefinitely, but in the next and more circumstantial prophecy (Ezekiel 21:19) is declared to be the king of Babylon.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:11
Verse 11. This sword is sharpened] It is prepared for the slaughter, it is furbished; from the French, foubir, to polish, brighten. He shall have splendid victories every where. Some complain of corruption in the original in this place; but I think without sufficient reason.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:11
8–17. The destroying sword of the Lord. The violent agitation of the prophet at the thought of the coming destruction finds expression in a wild and irregular ode upon the sword of the Lord. The general sense of the poem is discernible, but as in ch. 7 the text is in several places very obscure (e.g. Ezekiel 21:10; Ezekiel 21:13). There appear to be four divisions:— Ezekiel 21:9-11. A sword is furbished that it may glitter terribly in the eyes of men (cf. Ezekiel 32:10); it is sharpened for the slaughter—furbished and sharpened to give it into the hand of the slayer. Ezekiel 21:12-13. The prophet must cry and howl and smite in wild excitement on his thigh, for the princes of Israel and the people are delivered over to the sword.
His agitation is but the reflexion of the carnage which shall be witnessed. Ezekiel 21:14-15. The sword is doubled and tripled; universal shall be the carnage. Ezekiel 21:16-17. Wild apostrophe to the sword to execute its task in all directions. Sympathy of Jehovah with the terrible work.
Sermons on Ezekiel 21:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Horizon of Divine Purpose - Part 8 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a clear understanding of God's purpose in our lives. He warns that if we lose sight of this purpose, our Christian l |
|
(Saved Through the Fire) 13 - God's True Message by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of the day of the Lord, where God will judge and punish all nations based on their actions. He warns that whatever one gives out |
|
God's Agency in War by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes God's sovereignty and agency in the affairs of nations, particularly in times of war and judgment. He argues that just as God punished nations in the Old Testa |