Ezekiel 21:18
Ezekiel 21:18 in Multiple Translations
Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
The word of Jehovah came unto me again, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me again, saying,
Another message from the Lord came to me, saying,
The worde of the Lord came vnto mee againe, saying,
And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,
The LORD’s word came to me again, saying,
The word of the LORD came to me again, saying,
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
Yahweh gave me another message. He said,
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 21:18
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 21:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֣י
בֹ֔חַן
וּ/מָ֕ה
אִם
גַּם
שֵׁ֥בֶט
מֹאֶ֖סֶת
לֹ֣א
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
נְאֻ֖ם
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
יְהוִֽה
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בֹ֔חַן
bâchan
H974
to test
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
וּ/מָ֕ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Conj | Part
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
שֵׁ֥בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
N-ms
מֹאֶ֖סֶת
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
V-Qal
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
utterance
N-ms
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
YHWH/God
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 21:18
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בֹ֔חַן
bâchan
H974
"to test"
V-Pual-Perf-3ms
To test or examine something, like gold or a person's heart, is what this word means. It appears in stories like Job's trials, where his faith is tested by God, and in Proverbs 17:3, which talks about refining silver.
Definition: 1) to examine, try, prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to examine, scrutinise 1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God) 1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved 1c) (Pual) to make a trial
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: examine, prove, tempt, try (trial). See also: Genesis 42:15; Psalms 81:8; Psalms 7:10.
וּ/מָ֕ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
שֵׁ֥בֶט
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
N-ms
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
מֹאֶ֖סֶת
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
V-Qal
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
נְאֻ֖ם
nᵉʼum
H5002
"utterance"
N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
אֲדֹנָ֥/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִֽה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
"YHWH/God"
N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 21:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — God’s Sword of Judgment
16Slash to the right; set your blade to the left— wherever your blade is directed.
17I too will strike My hands together, and I will satisfy My wrath.’ I, the LORD, have spoken.”
18Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
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. 20Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem.Ezekiel 21:18 Summary
This verse tells us that God spoke directly to Ezekiel, giving him a message to share with the people. It's like when we hear a voice, and we know who it is because we recognize the sound. For Ezekiel, it was the same - he knew it was God speaking. Just like how God spoke to Ezekiel, He also speaks to us today through the Bible (as seen in 2 Timothy 3:16-17) and the Holy Spirit. We can learn to listen to God's voice by reading His word and being still before Him, as seen in Psalm 46:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the 'word of the LORD' to come to Ezekiel?
This phrase indicates that God is directly communicating with Ezekiel, giving him a message to share with the people, as seen in other instances like Jeremiah 1:4 and Isaiah 38:4.
How did Ezekiel know it was the Lord speaking to him?
The Bible doesn't explicitly state how Ezekiel knew, but it's likely that Ezekiel recognized God's voice through his previous experiences and the Holy Spirit's guidance, similar to how Samuel recognized God's voice in 1 Samuel 3:10.
Why is this verse significant in the context of Ezekiel's prophecy?
This verse serves as a transition, indicating that God is about to give Ezekiel a new message, which in this case is related to the sword of the king of Babylon, as seen in the following verses, Ezekiel 21:19-20.
How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Ezekiel's book?
This verse contributes to the theme of God's judgment and redemption, as Ezekiel is called to proclaim God's messages of warning and hope to the people, as seen in Ezekiel 3:17 and Ezekiel 33:7-9.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to hear the 'word of the Lord' in my own life, and how can I be more attentive to His voice?
- How can I, like Ezekiel, be a faithful messenger of God's word to those around me?
- What are some ways that God communicates with me, and how can I distinguish His voice from other influences?
- In what ways can I apply the principle of listening to God's word, as seen in this verse, to my daily life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:18
The word of the Lord came unto me again,.... Immediately after the former; for this respects the same prophecy about the sword, and the way of its coming, and the cause of it: saying; as follows:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:18
The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:18
Ezekiel 21:18 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,Ver. 18. The word of the Lord.] See on Ezekiel 18:1.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:18
18–27. The prophet is commanded to represent a way which parts into two ways. At the parting of the ways he is to set up two guideposts, the one pointing to Rabbath Ammon, the other to Jerusalem. The king of Babylon, coming to the parting of the ways, hesitates which he shall take. He consults the oracle, draws lots by means of the arrows, and the arrow that he draws out in his right hand is the one inscribed “Jerusalem.”
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 21:18
The third word of judgment. The king of Babylon’s march upon Judaea and upon the Ammonites. Destruction is to go forth not on Judah only, but also on such neighboring tribes as the Ammonites (compare Jeremiah 27:2-3).