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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 21:16 Slash to the right; set your blade to the left--wherever your blade is directed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/26_Ezk_21_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 21:16 - The LORD's Sword of Judgment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Slash to the right; set your blade to the left--wherever your blade is directed." /><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'; 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set yourself to the left, wherever your face is directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Slash to the right; set your blade to the left—wherever your blade is directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Go thee one way or other, <i>either</i> on the right hand, <i>or</i> on the left, whithersoever thy face <i>is</i> set.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Swords at the ready! Thrust right! Set your blade! Thrust left— Wherever your edge is ordered!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Prove yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your edge is ordered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Show yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Show yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Show yourself sharp, go to the right; set yourself; go to the left, wherever your edge is appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Turn O sword and cut right or cut left, whichever way your thirst for blood <i>and</i> your edge direct you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Slash to the right; turn to the left — wherever your blade is directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Slash to the right; turn to the left— wherever your blade is directed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Gather thee together, go to the right, set thyself in array, go to the left, whithersoever thy face is set.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />It will slash right and left, wherever the blade is pointed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Gather thee together, go to the right; set thyself in array, go to the left; whithersoever thy face is set.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Sword, cut to the right. Cut to the left or wherever your blade is turned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Cut to the right and the left, you sharp sword! Cut wherever you turn. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Be sharp! Attack on the right, or parry to your left, wherever you point your sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Slash to the right; set your blade to the left?wherever your blade is directed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Cut sharply on the right! Swing to the left, wherever your edge is appointed to strike. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />'Gather yourselves together, go to the right, set yourselves in array, go to the left, wherever your face is set.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Gather yourselves together. Go to the right. Set yourselves in array. Go to the left, wherever your face is set. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Take possession of the right, place yourself at the left, "" To where your face is appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Take possession of the right, place thyself at the left, Whither thy face is appointed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Unite thyself to the right, set thyself to the left, where thy face wavers.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Be thou sharpened, go to the right hand, or to the left, which way soever thou hast a mind to set thy face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Be sharpened! Go to the right or to the left, whichever way is the desire of your face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Slash to the right! turn to the left, Wherever your edge is directed! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Attack to the right! Engage to the left! —wherever your edge is directed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take hold firmly my right hand, take hold firmly my left hand, wherever my face is turned;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Grasp firmly my right hand and grasp firmly my left hand, to the place that my face is prepared<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Go thee one way to the right, or direct thyself to the left; whither is thy face set?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And do thou go on, sharpen thyself on the right and on the left whithersoever thy face may set itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/21-16.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=5789" 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">15</span>So that their hearts may melt and many may stumble, I have appointed at all their gates a sword for slaughter. Yes, it is ready to flash like lightning; it is drawn for slaughter. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/258.htm" title="258: hiṯ·’a·ḥă·ḏî (V-Hitpael-Imp-fs) -- Go one way or other. Perhaps a primitive root; to unify, i.e. collect.">Slash</a> <a href="/hebrew/3231.htm" title="3231: hê·mi·nî (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- A primitive root; to be right; but used only as denominative from yamiyn and transitive, to be right-handed or take the right-hand side.">to the right;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: hā·śî·mî (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">set your blade</a> <a href="/hebrew/8041.htm" title="8041: haś·mî·lî (V-Hifil-Imp-fs) -- To take the left. A primitive root; to use the left hand or pass in that direction).">to the left—</a> <a href="/hebrew/575.htm" title="575: ’ā·nāh (Interrog) -- Where? whither?. Or manah; contracted from 'aiyn; where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither.">wherever</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·na·yiḵ (N-mpc:: 2fs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">your blade</a> <a href="/hebrew/3259.htm" title="3259: mu·‘ā·ḏō·wṯ (V-Hofal-Prtcpl-fp) -- To appoint. A primitive root; to fix upon; by implication, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage.">is directed.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>I too will strike My hands together, and I will satisfy My wrath.’ I, the LORD, have spoken.”…<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="/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/47-6.htm">Jeremiah 47:6-7</a></span><br />‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’ / How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-41.htm">Deuteronomy 32:41-42</a></span><br />when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me. / I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”<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/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="/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="/jeremiah/25-31.htm">Jeremiah 25:31</a></span><br />The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-1.htm">Isaiah 27:1</a></span><br />In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-16.htm">Revelation 1:16</a></span><br />He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-35.htm">Jeremiah 50:35-37</a></span><br />A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. / A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. / A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/31-8.htm">Isaiah 31:8</a></span><br />“Then Assyria will fall, but not by the sword of man; a sword will devour them, but not one made by mortals. They will flee before the sword, and their young men will be put to forced labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-16.htm">Revelation 2:16</a></span><br />Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Zechariah 13:7</a></span><br />Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a></span><br />For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-2.htm">Isaiah 49:2</a></span><br />He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand. He made Me like a polished arrow; He hid Me in His quiver.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Go you one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, wherever your face is set.</p><p class="hdg">Go</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Ezekiel 21:4,20</a></b></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: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/14-17.htm">Ezekiel 14:17</a></b></br> Or <i>if</i> I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-46.htm">Ezekiel 16:46</a></b></br> And thine elder sister <i>is</i> Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, <i>is</i> Sodom and her daughters.</p><p class="hdg">either</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-9.htm">Genesis 13:9</a></b></br> <i>Is</i> not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if <i>thou wilt take</i> the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if <i>thou depart</i> to the right hand, then I will go to the left.</p><p class="hdg">or on the left.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/21-11.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-42.htm">Array</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-20.htm">Blade</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-21.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-2.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-2.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-20.htm">Either</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-11.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-27.htm">Ordered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-15.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-29.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-11.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-13.htm">Sharply</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-41.htm">Show</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-14.htm">Together</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-5.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-46.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-14.htm">Wherever</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Whither</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-20.htm">Whithersoever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/32-23.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-24.htm">Array</a> <a href="/hosea/8-7.htm">Blade</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-25.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/matthew/1-24.htm">Directed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-13.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-10.htm">Either</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-17.htm">Face</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-19.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-18.htm">Ordered</a> <a href="/john/4-44.htm">Pointed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-4.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Right</a> <a href="/ezekiel/28-24.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/matthew/9-30.htm">Sharply</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-2.htm">Show</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-19.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-3.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-17.htm">Together</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-26.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-19.htm">Way</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-13.htm">Wherever</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-13.htm">Whither</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm">Whithersoever</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>Slash to the right;</b><br>This phrase indicates a command for decisive action, reflecting the judgment of God through the sword. In the context of Ezekiel, the sword represents the Babylonian army, which God uses as an instrument of His judgment against Jerusalem and Judah. The direction to "slash to the right" suggests a comprehensive and thorough execution of this judgment, leaving no area untouched. This imagery of the sword is consistent with other biblical passages where God uses nations as instruments of His wrath, such as in <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Isaiah 10:5-6</a>, where Assyria is described as the rod of God's anger.<p><b>set your blade to the left—</b><br>The instruction to set the blade to the left complements the previous command, emphasizing the totality of the impending destruction. The left and right directions symbolize the all-encompassing nature of the judgment, sparing neither side. This reflects the seriousness of Israel's sin and the completeness of the divine retribution. Historically, the Babylonian conquest was indeed thorough, leading to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The imagery of the sword cutting in all directions can also be seen as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of God's judgment, as echoed in <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>, where the Word of God is described as sharper than any double-edged sword.<p><b>wherever your blade is directed.</b><br>This phrase underscores the sovereignty of God in directing the course of history. The sword goes wherever it is directed, signifying that the judgment is not random but divinely ordained. This aligns with the biblical theme of God's control over nations and events, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>, where the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. The direction of the blade also implies that the judgment is purposeful and targeted, aimed at bringing about repentance and restoration. In a broader theological context, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is both the judge and the redeemer, executing justice while offering salvation, as seen in <a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Revelation 19:15</a>, where Christ wields a sharp sword to strike down the nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet of God during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The empire that conquered Jerusalem and took the Israelites into exile, serving as an instrument of God's judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The holy city of the Israelites, which faced destruction due to the people's disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>Symbolizes God's judgment and the impending destruction that would come upon Jerusalem and its people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>God's chosen people, who were in a covenant relationship with Him but had turned to idolatry and sin.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Certainty of God's Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment is inevitable for those who persist in sin. The imagery of the sword in <a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16</a> serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The passage urges us to examine our lives and turn away from sin. Just as the Israelites were called to repentance, we too must heed God's warnings and seek His forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>God directs the sword, demonstrating His control over nations and events. We can trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He is just and righteous in His judgments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>The sword symbolizes the power of God's Word to convict and transform. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture, allowing it to guide and shape our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_obedience.htm">The Urgency of Obedience</a></b><br>The command to "slash to the right; set your blade to the left" highlights the urgency of responding to God's commands. We must be diligent in our obedience, recognizing the immediacy of His call.<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/does_job_21_19-21_clash_with_individual_sin.htm">In Job 21:19-21, does the idea of children suffering for a parent's wrongdoing clash with other biblical teachings on individual responsibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_37_25-28_fulfilled_today.htm">How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_a_nation_for_one_king's_acts.htm">Why does 2 Chronicles 28:19 say God directly punishes an entire nation for one king's actions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_biblical_prophecy's_meaning.htm">What is the meaning of Biblical prophecy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Go thee one way or other.</span>--An address to the sword, the animation of which is singularly lost in our version; the sword is addressed as a host, to be prepared for instant action in every quarter: "Gather thyself up (close up ranks) right; set thyself, left."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Go thee one way or another, etc</span>.; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. as in the following, <span class="accented">to the right hand or the left</span> - to the north or the south. Whichever way the prophet turned (<a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm">Ezekiel 20:47</a>), he would see nothing but the sword and its work of slaughter. Jehovah had given that command with the gesture of supreme authority. He would not rest till he had appeased his wrath by letting it work itself out even to the end. With these words the "Lay of the Sword of Jehovah" ends, and there is again an interval of silence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/21-16.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">Slash</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְאַחֲדִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·’a·ḥă·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_258.htm">Strong's 258: </a> </span><span class="str2">Go one way or other </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the right;</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵימִ֖נִי</span> <span class="translit">(hê·mi·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3231.htm">Strong's 3231: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go to or choose the right, to use the right hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">set your blade</span><br /><span class="heb">הָשִׂ֣ימִי</span> <span class="translit">(hā·śî·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the left—</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְׂמִ֑ילִי</span> <span class="translit">(haś·mî·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8041.htm">Strong's 8041: </a> </span><span class="str2">To use the left hand, pass in that direction)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wherever</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֖נָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> </span><span class="str2">Where?, whither?, when?, hither and thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your blade</span><br /><span class="heb">פָּנַ֥יִךְ</span> <span class="translit">(pā·na·yiḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is directed.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֻעָדֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(mu·‘ā·ḏō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3259.htm">Strong's 3259: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Ezekiel 21:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:16 Gather you together go to the right (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/21-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:17" /></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>