Ezekiel 21:4
Ezekiel 21:4 in Multiple Translations
Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Because I am going to have the upright and the evil cut off from you, for this cause my sword will go out from its cover against all flesh from the south to the north:
Because I'm going to destroy both the good and the bad, I will attack everyone from the north to the south.
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee both the righteous and wicked, therefore shall my sworde goe out of his sheath against all flesh from the South to the North,
Because that I have cut off from thee righteous and wicked, Therefore go out doth My sword from its scabbard, Unto all flesh, from south to north.
Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore my sword will go out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north.
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth from its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
And forasmuch as I have cut off in thee the just, and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south even to the north.
Sowhat I will do to you will be as though [MET] I will pull my sword from its sheath and strike you. I will kill everyone, including righteous people and wicked people [DOU]. I will get rid of everyone, from the south to the north.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 21:4
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 21:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/רָאוּ֙
כָּל
בָּשָׂ֔ר
כִּ֛י
אֲנִ֥י
יְהוָ֖ה
בִּֽעַרְתִּ֑י/הָ
לֹ֖א
תִּכְבֶּֽה
וְ/רָאוּ֙
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
בָּשָׂ֔ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
כִּ֛י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Pron
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
בִּֽעַרְתִּ֑י/הָ
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Piel-Perf-1cs | Suff
לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִּכְבֶּֽה
kâbâh
H3518
to quench
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 21:4
וְ/רָאוּ֙
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בָּשָׂ֔ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
כִּ֛י
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.
אֲנִ֥י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
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.
בִּֽעַרְתִּ֑י/הָ
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs | Suff
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
לֹ֖א
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.
תִּכְבֶּֽה
kâbâh
H3518
"to quench"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To quench means to put out or extinguish something, like a fire or a flame, as seen in Ezekiel 20:47 where God warns of a fire that will not be quenched. It can also refer to satisfying a desire or need.
Definition: 1) to quench, put out, be put out, be quenched, be extinguished 1a) (Qal) to be quenched, be extinguished 1b) (Piel) to quench, extinguish
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: go (put) out, quench. See also: Leviticus 6:5; Isaiah 34:10; Proverbs 26:20.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 21:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 21:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:4
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 21:4
- Sermons on Ezekiel 21:4
Context — God’s Sword of Judgment
2“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel
3and tell her that this is what the LORD says: ‘I am against you, and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.
4Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.
5Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’ 6But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 20:47 | Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 7:2 | “O son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says to the land of Israel: ‘The end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 6:11–14 | This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel, who will fall by sword and famine and plague. He who is far off will die by the plague, he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains will die by famine. So I will vent My fury upon them. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and leafy oak—the places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols. I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’” |
Ezekiel 21:4 Summary
This verse, Ezekiel 21:4, tells us that God's judgment will come on everyone, whether they are doing good or bad, because of the sin that has spread throughout the land. It's like God is saying, 'I have to step in and stop the sin because it's hurting My people and dishonoring Me.' This is similar to what we see in Jeremiah 25:29, where God says He will start with His own people if they do not turn back to Him. God loves us, but He is also just and must deal with sin, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4. We should take this as a reminder to turn to God and ask for His mercy and forgiveness, as encouraged in Psalm 51:1-2 and 1 John 1:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God say He will cut off both the righteous and the wicked in Ezekiel 21:4?
This verse emphasizes God's judgment on all people, regardless of their moral standing, because of the widespread sin and rebellion against Him, as seen in Ezekiel 21:3 and Jeremiah 25:29.
What does it mean for God's sword to be unsheathed against everyone from south to north?
This phrase symbolizes God's judgment extending to all parts of the land, leaving no one unaffected, similar to the description of God's judgment in Isaiah 5:25 and Jeremiah 12:12.
How can a loving God bring judgment on His people, including the righteous?
While God loves His people, He is also a just God who must address sin, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4 and Romans 3:26, and sometimes this involves allowing or sending judgment to bring about repentance and restoration, as in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should this impact my understanding of His love and justice?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of God's judgment on sin to my own life, recognizing the importance of repentance and obedience to God?
- How does the image of God's sword being unsheathed against all people challenge my perspective on the severity of sin and the importance of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness?
- What role does faith and trust in God play in the face of judgment and uncertainty, as described in this verse and supported by verses like Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 21:4
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked,.... Some by the sword, some by famine, some by pestilence, and others by captivity; and, upon the whole, none spared, but the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 21:4
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: Therefore shall my sword go
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
I will cut off; it is both my purpose and threat, to do that by the Chaldeans in such manner as that it shall appear I did it. The righteous, signified by the green tree, . The wicked; the dry tree, . Go forth; have a commission, such as I gave Nebuchadnezzar, as large as is necessary for this work. All flesh; all the Jews that dwell in the land; it may somewhat reflect upon the nations near about the Jews, as Moab and Ammon. From the south; as it doth certainly denote the whole of the land of Judea, it may intimate the rise and spring of this evil from the south, i.e. Babylon, and its progress northward.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:Ver. 4. Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteons.] Velut eodem contubernio deprehensos. This is repeated for more assurance, because it might seem strange. The Septuagint hath it, The unrighteous and the wicked. The Chaldee, I will make the righteous flee, and destroy the wicked. But the Hebrew verity is as before; neither need we wonder, since the best have their infirmities.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
(3, 4) The righteous and the wicked.—This explains the green tree and the dry of Eze 20:47; and “all flesh” of Ezekiel 21:4-5, corresponds to “all faces” of the same. These expressions are meant to show the universality of the approaching desolation. The actual separation in God’s sight between the righteous and the wicked has already been plainly set forth in 9:4-6. But still in this, as in all national judgments, the innocent must of necessity be involved in the same temporal sufferings with the guilty. The general terms of this prophecy are to be limited by what is elsewhere said of the mercy which shall be shown to a remnant.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 21:4
Verse 4. From the south to the north] The whole land shall be ravaged from one end to the other.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 21:4
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 21:4
The righteous and the wicked - take the place of “every green tree and every dry tree” Ezekiel 20:47; “all faces” that of “all flesh:” to show the universality of the destructions.
Sermons on Ezekiel 21:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jehovah Raphi-the Lord That Heals by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that there is something of God that will not let go of us. He speaks of God's love, mercy, and compassion, and how He sends His servants to |