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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 21:23 It will seem like a false omen to the eyes of those who have sworn allegiance to him, but it will draw attention to their guilt and take them captive.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/26_Ezk_21_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 21:23 - The LORD's Sword of Judgment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="It will seem like a false omen to the eyes of those who have sworn allegiance to him, but it will draw attention to their guilt and take them captive." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><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/21-23.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/21-23.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 23</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="/ad1.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/21-22.htm" title="Ezekiel 21:22">◄</a> Ezekiel 21:23 <a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm" title="Ezekiel 21:24">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The people of Jerusalem will think it is a false omen, because of their treaty with the Babylonians. But the king of Babylon will remind the people of their rebellion. Then he will attack and capture them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will seem like a false omen to the eyes of those who have sworn allegiance to him, but it will draw attention to their guilt and take them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it will be to them like a false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn oaths with them; but he will bring their iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And it will be to them like a false divination in their eyes; they have <i>sworn</i> solemn oaths. But he makes guilt known, so that they may be seized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And it will be to them like a false divination in their eyes; they have sworn solemn oaths. But he brings iniquity to remembrance, that they may be seized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And it will be to them like a false divination in their eyes; they have <i>sworn</i> solemn oaths. But he brings iniquity to remembrance, that they may be seized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it will be to them like a worthless divination in their eyes; they have <i>sworn</i> solemn oaths. But he brings iniquity to remembrance, that they may be seized.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It will seem like a false divination in their eyes, those who have sworn solemn oaths [of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar]. But he will remind them of their guilt [by rebelling and violating their oath], that they may be caught.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will seem like false divination to those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians, but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will seem like false divination in the eyes of those who have sworn an oath to the Babylonians, but it will draw attention to their guilt so that they will be captured.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths unto them; but he bringeth iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Everyone in Jerusalem had promised to be loyal to Babylonia, and so none of them will believe that this could happen to them. But Babylonia's king will remind them of their sinful ways and warn them of their coming captivity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it shall be unto them as a vain divination in their sight, which have sworn oaths unto them: but he bringeth iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people won't believe this because they have made treaties with other nations. But the king of Babylon will remind them of their sins, and they will be captured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people of Jerusalem won't believe this because of the treaties they have made. But this prediction is to remind them of their sins and to warn them that they will be captured. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In their view, it will seem to be a false prophecy, but because they swore allegiance, he'll make them remember their guilt as he takes them captive."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will seem like a false omen to the eyes of those who have sworn allegiance to him, but it will draw attention to their guilt and take them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But those in Jerusalem will view it as a false omen. They have sworn solemn oaths, but the king of Babylon will accuse them of violations in order to seize them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It shall be to them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths to them; but he brings iniquity to memory, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it shall be to them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It will be to them as a false divination in their sight, who have sworn oaths to them; but he brings iniquity to memory, that they may be taken. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it has been to them as a false divination in their eyes, "" Who have sworn oaths to them, "" But he is causing iniquity to be remembered [so they] are caught.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it hath been to them as a false divination in their eyes, Who have sworn oaths to them, And he is causing iniquity to be remembered to be caught.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it was to them as a divination of falsehood in their eyes, swearing an oath to them, remembering iniquity to be taken.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he shall be in their eyes as one consulting the oracle in vain, and imitating the leisure of sabbaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity that they may be taken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he shall be, in their eyes, like someone consulting an oracle in vain, or imitating the leisure of Sabbaths. But he will call to mind iniquities, so that it will be captured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the eyes of those bound by oath this seems like a false omen; yet the lot taken in hand exposes the wickedness for which they, still bound by oath, will be taken in hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But to them it will seem like a false divination; they have sworn solemn oaths; but he brings their guilt to remembrance, bringing about their capture.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And it shall be as a false divination to them; but he will call to remembrance their iniquity, that they may be captured.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it shall be to them as a worthless oracle before their eyes, and he shall remember the evil, and it shall be taken captive<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, who have weeks upon weeks! but it bringeth iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he was to them as one using divination before them, and he himself recounting his iniquities, that they might be borne in mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=5865" 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">22</span>In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">It will seem</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/7723.htm" title="7723: šāw (N-ms) -- Or shav; from the same as show' in the sense of desolating; evil, literally or morally; figuratively idolatry, uselessness.">a false</a> <a href="/hebrew/7080.htm" title="7080: kiq·sōm (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to distribute, i.e. Determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine.">omen</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê·hem (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">to the eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: šə·ḇu·‘ê (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">of those who have sworn</a> <a href="/hebrew/7621.htm" title="7621: šə·ḇu·‘ō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- An oath, curse. Feminine passive participle of shaba'; properly, something sworn, i.e. An oath.">allegiance</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū- (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">but it</a> <a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: maz·kîr (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">will draw attention</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ā·wōn (N-cs) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">to their guilt</a> <a href="/hebrew/8610.htm" title="8610: lə·hit·tā·p̄êś (Prep-l:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably.">and take them captive.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you have drawn attention to your guilt, exposing your transgressions, so that your sins are revealed in all your deeds—because you have come to remembrance—you shall be taken in hand.…<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/21-2.htm">Jeremiah 21:2</a></span><br />“Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a></span><br />who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/27-9.htm">Jeremiah 27:9-10</a></span><br />But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ / For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-6.htm">2 Kings 25:6-7</a></span><br />The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him. / And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/37-7.htm">Jeremiah 37:7-10</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt. / Then the Chaldeans will return and fight against this city. They will capture it and burn it down. / This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves by saying, ‘The Chaldeans will go away for good,’ for they will not! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Isaiah 47:12-13</a></span><br />So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-8.htm">Jeremiah 29:8-9</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them. / For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a></span><br />Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a></span><br />“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">2 Chronicles 36:13</a></span><br />He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a></span><br />For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a></span><br />Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:9-12</a></span><br />The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-14.htm">Revelation 16:14</a></span><br />These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22-23</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it shall be to them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.</p><p class="hdg">as a</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/11-3.htm">Ezekiel 11:3</a></b></br> Which say, <i>It is</i> not near; let us build houses: this <i>city is</i> the caldron, and we <i>be</i> the flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/12-22.htm">Ezekiel 12:22</a></b></br> Son of man, what <i>is</i> that proverb <i>that</i> ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm">Isaiah 28:14,15</a></b></br> Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which <i>is</i> in Jerusalem… </p><p class="hdg">to them that have sworn oaths.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/17-13.htm">Ezekiel 17:13-19</a></b></br> And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">2 Chronicles 36:13</a></b></br> And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/24-20.htm">2 Kings 24:20</a></b></br> For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1-7</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth <i>day</i> of the month, <i>that</i> Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/52-3.htm">Jeremiah 52:3-11</a></b></br> For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon… </p><p class="hdg">call</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm">Ezekiel 21:24</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, <i>I say</i>, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/29-16.htm">Ezekiel 29:16</a></b></br> And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth <i>their</i> iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I <i>am</i> the Lord GOD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/5-15.htm">Numbers 5:15</a></b></br> Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth <i>part</i> of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it <i>is</i> an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/17-18.htm">Allegiance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-6.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-9.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-8.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-8.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Divination</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-6.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-20.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-43.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-16.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Omen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-20.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Remind</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-21.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-12.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-41.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-6.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-22.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-42.htm">Sworn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-24.htm">Weeks</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Allegiance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">Arts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-30.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-9.htm">Captive</a> <a href="/daniel/11-33.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/amos/3-4.htm">Caught</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-3.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/micah/3-6.htm">Divination</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-23.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-16.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-8.htm">Omen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm">Remembrance</a> <a href="/john/14-26.htm">Remind</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/nahum/2-4.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-10.htm">Seized</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-16.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-38.htm">Solemn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-7.htm">Sworn</a> <a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Weeks</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ezekiel/21.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>It will seem like a false omen</b><br />The phrase "false omen" in Hebrew is "שָׁוְא" (shav), which can mean vanity, emptiness, or falsehood. In the context of Ezekiel, this refers to the deceptive nature of the signs or predictions that the people of Judah might have relied upon. Historically, the people often turned to divination and false prophets for guidance, which led them astray. This highlights the futility of trusting in anything other than God's word. The false omen represents the misguided hope that their alliances and strategies would protect them, but ultimately, these were empty promises.<p><b>to those who have sworn allegiance to them</b><br />The Hebrew word for "sworn allegiance" is "נִשְׁבָּעוּ" (nishba'u), which means to swear or take an oath. This phrase indicates a formal commitment or covenant, often made with foreign nations or idols, rather than with God. Historically, Judah made alliances with surrounding nations like Egypt and Babylon, hoping for security and protection. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament where God's people are warned against placing their trust in human alliances instead of in God. The allegiance sworn to these nations was ultimately misplaced and led to their downfall.<p><b>but it will draw attention to their guilt</b><br />The phrase "draw attention to their guilt" in Hebrew is "יַזְכִּיר עָוֹן" (yazkir avon), where "עָוֹן" (avon) means iniquity or guilt. This suggests that the false security they sought would ultimately expose their sinfulness and rebellion against God. The historical context here is the Babylonian invasion, which was a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The exposure of their guilt serves as a divine judgment, reminding them and us that sin cannot be hidden from God. It is a call to repentance and a return to faithfulness.<p><b>and take them captive</b><br />The Hebrew word for "captive" is "שָׁבָה" (shavah), meaning to capture or take away. This phrase prophetically points to the Babylonian exile, where the people of Judah were taken from their homeland as captives. This was a fulfillment of God's warning through the prophets that disobedience would lead to exile. The captivity serves as both a punishment and a means of purification, intended to bring the people back to a place of dependence on God. It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, but also of His desire to restore and redeem His people through discipline.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">As a false divination in their sight.</span>--The divination of the Babylonians seemed false to the Jews, primarily, because they were determined not to believe it; yet, doubtless, there was mingled with this a secret consciousness of the worthlessness of the idolatries which they themselves practised, and a consequent readiness to cast them aside when opposed to their wishes.<p><span class= "bld">To them that have sworn oaths.</span>--These words have been very variously interpreted, but the simplest meaning seems the best; the resolution of Nebuchadnezzar to attack Jerusalem seemed impossible to the Jews, because they were his vassals, and under oaths of fidelity to him. They must have been conscious of their own violation of those oaths, and yet have persuaded themselves that their intrigues with Egypt were not known to Nebuchadnezzar, and that therefore he would not attack them.<p><span class= "bld">But he will call to remembrance the iniquity.</span>--The pronoun is here understood by many as referring to the Lord, and "iniquity" as expressing the general sinfulness of the people. It is better to refer the pronoun <span class= "ital">to </span>Nebuchadnezzar, who will call to remembrance and punish the violation of their oaths to him. It is constantly to be remembered that Zedekiah was placed upon the throne by him under a solemn oath of fidelity to himself (<a href="/2_chronicles/36-10.htm" title="And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.">2Chronicles 36:10</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm" title="And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning to the LORD God of Israel.">2Chronicles 36:13</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/52-3.htm" title="For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.">Jeremiah 52:3</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/17-15.htm" title="But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that does such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?">Ezekiel 17:15</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/17-18.htm" title="Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, see, he had given his hand, and has done all these things, he shall not escape.">Ezekiel 17:18</a>, &c). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - The whole verse is obscure, and has been very variously interpreted. I follow the translation of the Revised Version, and explain it by inserting words which are needed to bring out its meaning: <span class="accented">It</span> (what Nebuchadnezzar has done) <span class="accented">shall be as a vain divination in their sight</span> (<span class="accented">sc</span>. in that of the men of Jerusalem), <span class="accented">which have sworn unto them</span> (<span class="accented">sc</span>. have taken oaths of fealty to the Chaldeans, and are ready to take them again), <span class="accented">but he</span> (Nebuchadnezzar) <span class="accented">brings iniquity to remembrance</span>. The fact represented is that when the people of Jerusalem heard of the divination at the parting of the ways, they still lulled themselves in a false security. They and Zedekiah had sworn obedience, and that oath would protect them. "Not so," rejoins the prophet; "the Chaldean king knows how those oaths have been kept." The LXX. omits all reference to "oaths." The Vulgate. taking the word for "oath" in its ether sense of "sabbath," gives the curious rendering, <span class="accented">Eritque quasi consulens frustra oraculum in eorum oculis, et sabbatorum otium imitans</span>. In spite of the reports that reached them, the men of Jerusalem thought themselves as safe as if the Chaldean king were keeping a sabbath day. Ewald partly follows the Vulgate, and renders, <span class="accented">They believe they have weeks on weeks</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. will not believe that the danger is close at hand. Keil and Havernick: <span class="accented">Oaths of oaths are theirs</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. they count on the oath of Jehovah, on his promises of protection, but he (Jehovah) brings iniquity to remembrance. <span class="cmt_word">That they may be taken</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. be seized by the invader and either slain or made prisoners <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/21-23.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">It will seem</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָיָ֨ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">a false</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁוְא֙</span> <span class="translit">(šāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7080.htm">Strong's 7080: </a> </span><span class="str2">To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">omen</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּקְסָם־</span> <span class="translit">(kiq·sām-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7080.htm">Strong's 7080: </a> </span><span class="str2">To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of those who have sworn</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁבֻעֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḇu·‘ê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seven oneself, swear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">allegiance to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁבֻע֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḇu·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7621.htm">Strong's 7621: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something sworn, an oath</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but it</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֽוּא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will draw attention</span><br /><span class="heb">מַזְכִּ֥יר</span> <span class="translit">(maz·kîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to their guilt</span><br /><span class="heb">עָוֺ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·wōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and take them captive.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהִתָּפֵֽשׂ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hit·tā·p̄êś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8610.htm">Strong's 8610: </a> </span><span class="str2">To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Ezekiel 21:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/21-23.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:23 It shall be to them as (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/21-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:24" /></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>