Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryEzekiel 21

Threatenings against Israel; Judgments Predicted.In this passage, God answers the people’s complaint that Ezekiel’s earlier message was hard to understand. God now explains the meaning of the parable about the forest fire: it is a warning of real judgment coming upon Judah and Jerusalem. God tells Ezekiel to speak very clearly, so that no one can say they did not understand. These warnings show that when people reject God’s messages, he still tries to make the truth plain to them, so that everyone is without excuse.v. 1: The word of the Lord

v. 2: Ezekiel is told to prophesy against the holy places—the land of Israel, Jerusalem, and the temple itself. Though these places were once honored by God, now they are targets of his judgment because the people have defiled them. Set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places .

v. 3: God warns that he is against the land of Israel. He will draw his sword, meaning he will bring war and destruction. This sword will strike both the righteous and the wicked. The troubles coming will affect everyone, though God still cares for his faithful people in other ways .

v. 4: The sword will go out “from the south to the north,” meaning the whole land will be swept with judgment, and no area will be safe. All flesh shall know that I the Lord

v. 5: God says that everyone will know he has brought this judgment. The sword will not be put away until God’s purpose is complete. It shall not return any more .

v. 6: God tells Ezekiel to sigh deeply and bitterly in front of the people. This is to show how serious and sad these coming troubles are. Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins .

v. 7: When people see Ezekiel sighing, they will ask why he is doing this. He must tell them it is because of the terrible news that is coming. Everyone will feel fear and lose courage when judgment arrives. Every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble . This shows that the disaster is real and will truly happen.

Judgments Predicted.This section continues the warning about God’s coming judgment, using the image of a sword. The prophecy is very emotional and serious. Ezekiel describes the sword as sharp and ready to strike, showing that God’s punishment will be swift and powerful. The message is meant to make the people feel the seriousness of their situation and to move them to repentance. Even though the language is sometimes difficult, the main point is clear: God’s judgment is certain, and no one can escape it unless they turn back to him.v. 8: God gives Ezekiel another prophecy about the sword. This time, the sword is not just unsheathed, but prepared for action. The prophet is told to mourn for what is coming .

v. 9: The sword is described as sharpened and polished. It is ready to cut and to bring a terrible slaughter. God’s anger gives it power, and it shines brightly to strike fear into those who see it .

v. 10: The sword is so strong that it ignores the “rod” of Israel, treating it like any other tree. This means that even the rulers and leaders of Israel cannot protect themselves from God’s judgment. The sword is also called the “rod of my son,” showing that God uses it to correct His people, not just to destroy . The "rod" refers to the royal scepter of Judah, symbolizing its rulers, but even this is powerless against God's judgment. The sword despises the rod as if it were just another tree, emphasizing that no earthly power can stand against God's will.v. 10 (parenthesis): Ezekiel asks, “Should we then make mirth?” This means, should people be happy and celebrate when God’s judgment is coming? The answer is no. When God’s warnings are so serious, it is a time for sorrow and repentance, not for laughter (Ezekiel 21:10 ). The sword is sharpened and polished, not for display, but for a “sore slaughter,” showing the seriousness of the coming judgment.

v. 11: The sword is given to the one who will use it for punishment. It is not just for show, but for real destruction. God’s judgment will be carried out fully . The sword is prepared and ready to be wielded by the agent of God's judgment, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the coming punishment.

v. 12: The sword will strike God’s people and their leaders. Even those who seem important or powerful will not escape. The people will be filled with terror because of the sword and their own guilt . This highlights that no one is exempt from God's judgment, and the fear of punishment will overwhelm the nation.

v. 13: Some people fear that the sword will go beyond correction and completely destroy Israel. But God says this is a test or trial. For His people, the sword is meant to correct, not to wipe them out. God sets limits to His judgment . This shows God's mercy even in judgment, as He disciplines rather than annihilates His people.

v. 14: Ezekiel is told to cry out, “A sword! a sword!” and to strike his hands together. This is to show how serious and urgent the warning is. The sword will come again and again, bringing ruin, especially to the leaders who have sinned the most . The repeated cry and the striking of hands symbolize the intensity and persistence of God's judgment.

v. 15: The sword will reach even into the secret places where people think they are safe. No gate or barrier can stop it. People’s hearts will fail with fear, and many will be killed . This emphasizes the inescapability of God's judgment and the terror it will cause.

v. 16: The sword is sent everywhere, turning to the right and to the left. No one is free from guilt, so the sword will find its target wherever it goes . This shows the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting all directions and all people without exception.

v. 17: God himself will strike his hands together in anger, showing his holy indignation at the people’s sins. When God says he will do something, no one can stop him. His judgment will be complete and final . This act of striking hands symbolizes God's decisive and unstoppable wrath against sin.

Judgments Predicted.In this passage, Ezekiel shows that the sword of judgment is not just coming in general, but is specifically coming against Jerusalem. God makes it clear that the disaster will not be avoided or turned aside. The prophet uses a picture of two roads to show that the king of Babylon will be guided by God’s will to attack Jerusalem first, even though he might consider attacking another city. This prophecy also explains that the people and their leaders are bringing this trouble on themselves because of their sins. Even when people try to ignore God’s warnings, his plans will still happen.v. 18: God tells Ezekiel to act out a scene showing the coming attack. The prophet must draw two roads, one leading to Rabbath of the Ammonites and the other to Jerusalem. This is to show that the king of Babylon will have to choose which city to attack (Ezekiel 21:18-19 ).

v. 20: Both roads come from the same land, but at the crossroads, the king of Babylon will pause and decide which way to go. Jerusalem is called “Judah in Jerusalem the defenced,” because many people have taken shelter there and the city is strongly fortified .

v. 21: The king of Babylon uses different ways of seeking guidance, like casting lots with arrows, consulting idols, and looking at animal livers. Even though these are superstitious practices, God uses them to direct the king to attack Jerusalem first .

v. 22: The decision is made for Jerusalem. The king prepares for battle, appoints commanders, and gets ready for a siege with battering rams and forts. This shows how determined he is to destroy the city .

v. 23: The people of Jerusalem do not believe the warning. They think the prophecy is false because they trust in their alliances and promises. But their unbelief does not stop God’s plan. Their sins are exposed, and they will be captured by the enemy .

v. 24: God says that because their sins are so obvious and they have not repented, he will remember their wickedness and punish them. Their actions have brought this judgment upon themselves .

v. 25: God speaks directly to Zedekiah, the prince of Israel, calling him a “profane and wicked prince.” His time of punishment has come because of his sins .

v. 26: God commands that the crown and diadem be removed from Zedekiah. He will lose his position and honor because of his wickedness. Everything will be turned upside down, and those who were low will be raised up, while those who were high will be brought down .

v. 27: God says, I will overturn, overturn, overturn it. This means there will be great confusion and change, and no one will be able to restore the kingdom until the true king comes. This true king is the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who has the right to rule, and God will give the kingdom to him (Ezekiel 21:27; Luke 1:32 ).

The Destruction of the Ammonites.This section predicts the coming destruction of the Ammonites, who were neighbors and sometimes enemies of Israel. After Nebuchadnezzar chose to attack Jerusalem instead of Rabbath, the capital of Ammon, the Ammonites became proud and mocked Israel. However, this delay did not mean they escaped judgment. God warns that their turn for punishment is coming soon, and they should not take comfort in being spared for a little while. God’s justice will reach them, too.v. 28: The main sin of the Ammonites is their pride and mockery. They listen to their false prophets who tell them they will be safe, but these are lies. They also insult God’s people, thinking they are better because they were not yet attacked .

v. 29: The Ammonites trust in these false promises and are proud when Israel falls. They are happy when others suffer, and this makes their own punishment worse. Their arrogance is remembered by God, and they will be judged for it .

v. 30: God says that the sword will not return to its sheath until it has finished its work. The judgment will happen where the Ammonites live, in their own land. No one can stop God’s plan .

v. 31: God will pour out his anger on the Ammonites. He will use cruel and skillful destroyers—brutish men—to bring about their ruin. This shows that God sometimes uses even wicked people to carry out his judgment .

v. 32: The destruction will be complete. The Ammonites will become fuel for God’s fire, and their memory will be lost. They will not recover from this judgment. Thou shalt be no more remembered (Ezekiel 21:32 ). This is a warning that mocking God’s people and trusting in lies leads to ruin.