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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 21:4 Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/26_Ezk_21_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 21:4 - The LORD's Sword of Judgment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/21-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/21-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm" title="Ezekiel 21:3">◄</a> Ezekiel 21:4 <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm" title="Ezekiel 21:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall be drawn from its sheath against all flesh from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Because I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you, therefore My sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south <i>to</i> north,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out from its sheath against humanity from south <i>to</i> north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go forth from its sheath against all flesh from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Because I shall cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword shall go forth from its sheath against all flesh from south <i>to</i> north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out from its sheath against all flesh from south <i>to</i> north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go from its sheath against all flesh from south to north,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will therefore come out of its sheath against all humanity from the south to the north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will therefore come out of its sheath against everyone from the south to the north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />From south to north, people will die, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I'm going to kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you. That is why my sword will come out of its scabbard to be used against everyone from the south to the north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I will use my sword against everyone from south to north. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Since I'm going to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you, I'll be unsheathing my sword against everyone from south to north. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will go out from its sheath against everyone from the south to the north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the Negev to the north:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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:<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Because that I have cut off righteous and wicked from you, "" Therefore My sword goes out from its scabbard, "" To all flesh, from south to north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Because that I cut off from thee the just and the unjust, for this my sword shall go forth from its sheath against all flesh, from south to north.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But in as much as I have slain among you the just and the impious, for this reason my sword will go forth from its sheath against all flesh, from the south even to the north.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus my sword shall come out from its scabbard against all flesh from south to north<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Seeing then that I will destroy from you the righteous and the sinner, therefore my sword shall go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And because I have destroyed from you righteous and sinner, therefore my sword shall go out from its sheath against everybody from the south, and unto the north<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Because I will destroy out of thee the unrighteous and the transgressor, <i>therefore</i> so shall my sword come forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=5643" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm">The LORD's Sword of Judgment</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>and 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. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3282.htm" title="3282: ya·‘an (Adv) -- From an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose; used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause.">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: hiḵ·rat·tî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">I will cut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·mêḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">both the righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: wə·rā·šā‘ (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">and the wicked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">My sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: lā·ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: tê·ṣê (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/8593.htm" title="8593: mit·ta‘·rāh (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- A razor, sheath. From arah; a knife or razor: also a scabbard.">unsheathed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">everyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bā·śār (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5045.htm" title="5045: min·ne·ḡeḇ (Prep-m:: N-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to be parched; the south; specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt.">from south</a> <a href="/hebrew/6828.htm" title="6828: ṣā·p̄ō·wn (N-fs) -- North. Or tsaphon; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, i.e. Dark; used only of the north as a quarter.">to north.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-29.htm">Jeremiah 25:29</a></span><br />For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-16.htm">Isaiah 66:16</a></span><br />For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/21-14.htm">Jeremiah 21:14</a></span><br />I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-18.htm">Jeremiah 25:18-19</a></span><br />to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials; / Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his leaders, and all his people;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</a></span><br />When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-25.htm">Jeremiah 9:25-26</a></span><br />“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh— / Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-10.htm">Amos 9:10</a></span><br />All the sinners among My people will die by the sword—all those who say, ‘Disaster will never draw near or confront us.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3</a></span><br />“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-12.htm">Jeremiah 12:12</a></span><br />Over all the barren heights in the wilderness the destroyers have come, for the sword of the LORD devours from one end of the earth to the other. No flesh has peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-25.htm">Isaiah 3:25-26</a></span><br />Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle. / And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34</a></span><br />Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-49.htm">Luke 12:49-53</a></span><br />I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! / But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! / Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Revelation 19:15</a></span><br />And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Matthew 24:21-22</a></span><br />For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. / If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-9.htm">Romans 2:9</a></span><br />There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:</p><p class="hdg">against</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/6-11.htm">Ezekiel 6:11-14</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-2.htm">Ezekiel 7:2</a></b></br> Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm">Ezekiel 20:47</a></b></br> And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-37.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-48.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm">North</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Scabbard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Sheath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm">South</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/21-12.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-25.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-24.htm">North</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Scabbard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Sheath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-2.htm">South</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-25.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/21-1.htm">Ezekiel prophesies against Jerusalem with a sign of sighing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/21-8.htm">The sharp and bright sword</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/21-18.htm">against Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/21-25.htm">against the kingdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/21-28.htm">and against the Ammonites</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine judgment that is indiscriminate, affecting both the righteous and the wicked. In the context of Ezekiel, this reflects the severity of God's judgment on Jerusalem and Judah due to their persistent sin and rebellion. The inclusion of the righteous in this judgment highlights the communal nature of sin and its consequences, as well as the idea that the righteous may suffer alongside the wicked in times of national judgment. This can be compared to the story of Noah, where the righteous were preserved through judgment, and to the intercession of Abraham for Sodom, where the presence of the righteous could have spared the city.<p><b>My sword will be unsheathed</b><br>The imagery of the sword is a common biblical metaphor for divine judgment and warfare. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sword was a symbol of power and authority. The unsheathing of the sword signifies the readiness and imminence of God's judgment. This metaphor is also seen in other prophetic books, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, where the sword represents God's instrument of punishment. The unsheathing of the sword can be seen as a precursor to the coming of Christ, who will ultimately judge the nations with the sword of His mouth, as described in Revelation.<p><b>Against everyone from south to north</b><br>This phrase indicates the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting the entire land of Israel from south to north. Geographically, this encompasses the whole territory, signifying that no part of the nation will be spared. Historically, this reflects the invasions by Babylon, which came from the north and swept through the land. The phrase also underscores the totality of God's judgment, leaving no one untouched. This can be connected to the Day of the Lord, a theme in prophetic literature where God's judgment is universal and all-encompassing. The direction from south to north may also symbolize the reversal of Israel's fortunes, as they were initially brought into the land from the south during the Exodus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous_and_the_wicked.htm">The Righteous and the Wicked</a></b><br>This phrase refers to all people, regardless of their moral standing, indicating the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword_of_the_lord.htm">The Sword of the Lord</a></b><br>Symbolizes God's impending judgment and wrath, which is impartial and all-encompassing.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/south_to_north.htm">South to North</a></b><br>This geographical reference indicates the totality of the judgment, covering the entire land of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a time of great turmoil and divine judgment for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Universality of God's Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment is impartial and affects all people, regardless of their perceived righteousness. This calls for humility and self-examination.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>The imagery of the sword underscores the seriousness with which God views sin. Believers are called to repentance and holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God's control over nations and history is evident. Trust in His sovereignty, even when His actions are beyond human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The impending judgment serves as a warning and a call to repentance. Believers should live in a state of readiness and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a></b><br>While judgment is severe, it is also just. Believers can find hope in the fact that God will ultimately set things right.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_destroy_both_justly.htm">In Ezekiel 21:3-4, how can God threaten to destroy both the righteous and the wicked without contradicting other texts that portray Him as just?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_2_culturally_biased.htm">Does the association of the wise with the 'right' and fools with the 'left' (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ai's_destruction_just_and_loving.htm">How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_outside_bible_for_ezekiel_21.htm">Is there any evidence outside the Bible supporting the military and political tumult depicted throughout Ezekiel 21?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Because</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֛עַן</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3282.htm">Strong's 3282: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will cut off</span><br /><span class="heb">הִכְרַ֥תִּי</span> <span class="translit">(hiḵ·rat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both the righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֣יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the wicked,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרָשָׁ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥar·bî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּצֵ֨א</span> <span class="translit">(tê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unsheathed</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתַּעְרָ֛הּ</span> <span class="translit">(mit·ta‘·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8593.htm">Strong's 8593: </a> </span><span class="str2">A knife, razor, a scabbard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everyone</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from south</span><br /><span class="heb">מִנֶּ֥גֶב</span> <span class="translit">(min·ne·ḡeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5045.htm">Strong's 5045: </a> </span><span class="str2">South country, the Negeb, south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to north.</span><br /><span class="heb">צָפֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·p̄ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6828.htm">Strong's 6828: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:4 Seeing then that I will cut off (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>