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Ezekiel 21:1

Ezekiel 21:1 in Multiple Translations

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

A message from the Lord came to me, saying,

The word of ye Lord came to me againe, saying,

And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Yahweh gave me another message. He said,

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 21:1

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 21:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יְהִ֥י דְבַר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלַ֥/י לֵ/אמֹֽר
וַ/יְהִ֥י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
דְבַר dâbâr H1697 Chronicles N-ms
יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
אֵלַ֥/י ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff
לֵ/אמֹֽר ʼâmar H559 to say Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 21:1

וַ/יְהִ֥י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-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.
דְבַר dâbâr H1697 "Chronicles" N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֵלַ֥/י ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
לֵ/אמֹֽר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 21:1

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Ezekiel 21:1 Summary

This verse tells us that Ezekiel received a message directly from God. It's like getting a letter or a phone call from someone important, but instead, it's from the all-powerful God of the universe. Just like Moses in Exodus 3:4-6, Ezekiel is being called to listen to and obey God's voice. As we read this verse, we can remember that God still speaks to His people today, and we can listen to His voice through the Bible and prayer, just like we see in Psalm 119:105 and John 10:27.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the phrase 'the word of the LORD came to me' in Ezekiel 21:1?

This phrase indicates that Ezekiel is receiving a direct revelation from God, similar to other prophets in the Bible, such as Isaiah 1:1 and Jeremiah 1:4. It emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message that follows.

Why does Ezekiel receive these messages from God?

Ezekiel receives these messages because he has been called by God to be a prophet, as seen in Ezekiel 2:1-3, where God commissions him to speak to the people of Israel. His role is to proclaim God's words and warnings to the people.

What can we learn from Ezekiel's experience of receiving the word of the Lord?

We can learn about the importance of listening to and obeying God's voice, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:1 and Proverbs 1:7. This verse also highlights the role of prophets and messengers in communicating God's message to His people.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of Ezekiel's prophecy?

This verse serves as an introduction to the specific prophecy that follows in Ezekiel 21:2-3, where God instructs Ezekiel to preach against Jerusalem and the land of Israel. It sets the stage for the judgment and warning that God is about to pronounce through Ezekiel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to receive a 'word from the Lord' in my own life, and how can I be more attentive to His voice?
  2. In what ways can I, like Ezekiel, be a messenger of God's word to those around me?
  3. What are some ways that I can prepare myself to hear and respond to God's message, as Ezekiel did?
  4. How does the idea of God speaking to His people through prophets like Ezekiel impact my understanding of God's relationship with His people?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:1

And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying. Upon the above excuse or complaint about speaking in parables; wherefore the prophet is ordered to speak in plainer language to the people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:1

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1

EZEKIEL CHAPTER 21 Ezekiel prophesieth the sword of the Lord against all flesh in the land of Israel, sighing bitterly for a sign, . Another prophecy of a bright and sharp sword, commissioned to destroy, . The sword of the king of Babylon, in suspense which of two ways to take, by divination is directed the way to Jerusalem, . The fall of the profane prince of Israel and of his kingdom for a time, . The destruction of the Ammonites, . A command or direction to speak plainly, that none might quarrel with his obscurity.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1

Ezekiel 21:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ver. 1. And the word of the Lord.] See Ezekiel 18:1.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:1

CHAPTER XXI The prophet goes on to denounce the fate of Jerusalem and Judea; using signs of vehement grief, to denote the greatness of the calamity, 2-7. He then changes the emblem to that of a sharp and bright sword, still denoting the same sad event, 8-17; and, becoming yet more explicit, he represents the king of Babylon, who was to be employed by God in this work, as setting out to take vengeance on both the Jews and the Ammonites, for joining with Egypt in a confederacy against him. He is described as standing at the parting of the roads leading to the respective capitals of the Jews and Ammonites; and doubting which to attack first, he commits the decision of the matter to his arts of divination, performed by mingling arrows inscribed with the names of the different nations or cities, and then marching against that whose name was written on the arrow first drawn from the quiver. In this case the name Jerusalem comes forward; and therefore he proceeds against it, 18-24. History itself could scarcely be more explicit than this prophecy. The profane prince Zedekiah as then declared to be given up by God, and his kingdom devoted to utter destruction, for that breach of oath of which the prophet foretells he should be guilty, 25-27. The remaining verses form a distinct prophecy relating to the destruction of the Ammonites, which was fulfilled about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem, 28-32. NOTES ON CHAP. XXI

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:1

Ezekiel 21:1-5. These verses, though still figurative, are plainer than the preceding, of which they furnish the explanation. The sword of the Lord is drawn finally from its sheath, to which it shall not return (Ezekiel 21:5); it is drawn against Jerusalem and its sanctuaries (Ezekiel 21:2); it shall slay indiscriminately righteous and wicked (Ezekiel 21:3, cf. Ezekiel 20:47), and all flesh shall know that it is the sword of the Lord, and that it is his hand that wields it (Ezekiel 21:5).—Even to-day the study of Israel’s history occupies men, and its lessons are not yet exhausted.

Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 21:1

The first word of judgment Ezekiel 21:1-7. Ezekiel speaks first to the people of Israel, shows the universality of the coming destructions, and indicates by a sign (that of sighing) the sadness of the calamity.

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