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Ezekiel 21:3 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.
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I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Tell her, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am your enemy, O Israel, and I am about to unsheath my sword to destroy your people—the righteous and the wicked alike.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am against you and will draw my sword from its sheath and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I <i>am</i> against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I <i>am</i> against you, and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off both righteous and wicked from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Behold, I am against you; and I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you; and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you; and I shall draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I am against you; and I will bring out My sword from its sheath and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am against you and will draw My sword out of its sheath and I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and say to it, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and say to it: This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will draw My sword from its sheath and cut off both the righteous and the wicked from you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, Thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />that I am about to punish them. I will pull out my sword and have it ready to kill everyone, whether good or evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Tell the land of Israel, 'This is what the LORD says: I am against you. I will take my sword out of its scabbard and kill the righteous people and the wicked people among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />that I, the LORD, am saying: I am your enemy. I will draw my sword and kill all of you, good and evil alike. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Declare to Israel, 'This is what the LORD says: "Watch out! I'm against you! I'm going to unsheathe my sword to kill both the righteous and the wicked among you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and say to them, 'This is what the LORD says: Look, I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and tell the land of Israel, 'Thus says the LORD: "Look, I am against you, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Tell the land of Israel, ‘Yahweh says: “Behold, I am against you, and will draw my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you have said to the ground of Israel, Thus said YHWH: Behold, I [am] against you, "" And have brought out My sword from its scabbard, "" And have cut off righteous and wicked from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and thou hast said unto the ground of Israel: Thus said Jehovah: Lo, I am against thee, And have brought out My sword from its scabbard, And have cut off from thee righteous and wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel, Thus said Jehovah: behold me against thee, and I brought forth my sword from its sheath, and I cut off from thee the just and the unjust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold I come against thee, and I will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off in thee the just, and the wicked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you shall say to the land of Israel: Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, and I will cast my sword from its sheath, and I will slay the just and the impious among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Say to the land of Israel: Thus says the LORD: See! I am coming against you; I will draw my sword from its scabbard and cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to the land of Israel, Thus says the LORD: I am coming against you, and will draw my sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel, Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I am against you; I will draw my sword out of its sheath and will destroy from you the righteous and the sinner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And say to the land of Israel: ’Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS, behold, I am against you, and I shall bring out my sword from its sheath and I shall destroy from you the righteous and the sinner<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />say to the land of Israel: Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth My sword out of its sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and thou shalt say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I am against thee, and I will draw forth my sword out of its sheath, and I will destroy out of thee the transgressor and unrighteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/21-3.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=5630" 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">2</span>“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mar·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: lə·’aḏ·maṯ (Prep-l:: N-fsc) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">her</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">that this is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·la·yiḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- To, into, towards. ">‘I am against you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: wə·hō·w·ṣê·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">and I will draw</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/8593.htm" title="8593: mit·ta‘·rāh (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- A razor, sheath. From arah; a knife or razor: also a scabbard.">from its sheath</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: wə·hiḵ·rat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">and 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.">from you</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> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.…<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/21-5.htm">Jeremiah 21:5-7</a></span><br />And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. / I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’ / ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’<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/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="/lamentations/2-4.htm">Lamentations 2:4</a></span><br />He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion.<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/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="/amos/9-4.htm">Amos 9:4</a></span><br />Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.”<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/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 12:49-51</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/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="/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/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="/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="/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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And say to the land of Israel, Thus said the LORD; Behold, I am against you, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked.</p><p class="hdg">Behold</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/5-8.htm">Ezekiel 5:8</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, <i>am</i> against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/26-3.htm">Ezekiel 26:3</a></b></br> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I <i>am</i> against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/21-13.htm">Jeremiah 21:13</a></b></br> Behold, I <i>am</i> against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, <i>and</i> rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?</p><p class="hdg">will draw</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/21-9.htm">Ezekiel 21:9-11,19</a></b></br> Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/5-12.htm">Ezekiel 5:12</a></b></br> A third part of thee shall die with the pestilence, and with famine shall they be consumed in the midst of thee: and a third part shall fall by the sword round about thee; and I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/14-17.htm">Ezekiel 14:17,21</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="hdg">the righteous</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/9-5.htm">Ezekiel 9:5,6</a></b></br> And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> one <i>thing</i>, therefore I said <i>it</i>, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:2</a></b></br> All <i>things come</i> alike to all: <i>there is</i> one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as <i>is</i> the good, so <i>is</i> the sinner; <i>and</i> he that sweareth, as <i>he</i> that feareth an oath.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-18.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-17.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-17.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-23.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-44.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-38.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-26.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-6.htm">Scabbard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/47-6.htm">Sheath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-21.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-26.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-44.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Cover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-16.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-4.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-7.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Scabbard</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Sheath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-9.htm">Words</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'; 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In the context of Ezekiel, God often speaks directly to the prophet, who then conveys His words to the people. This reflects the role of prophets as intermediaries between God and His people. The phrase underscores the divine origin of the message, which demands attention and obedience.<p><b>‘I am against you,</b><br>This declaration signifies God's opposition to the people of Israel due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. Historically, Israel had entered into a covenant with God, promising to follow His laws. However, their repeated failures led to divine judgment. This phrase echoes similar pronouncements found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, where God expresses His displeasure with Israel's actions.<p><b>and I will draw My sword from its sheath</b><br>The imagery of God drawing a sword signifies impending judgment and warfare. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a drawn sword was a symbol of active engagement in battle. This metaphor indicates that God is preparing to execute judgment. The sword is often used in scripture as a symbol of divine justice and retribution, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</a> and <a href="/revelation/19-15.htm">Revelation 19:15</a>.<p><b>and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked.</b><br>This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment. It suggests that the impending calamity will affect all people, regardless of their individual righteousness. This can be understood in the context of the Babylonian exile, where both the faithful and unfaithful were taken into captivity. Theologically, it raises questions about collective judgment and individual responsibility, themes explored in other parts of Ezekiel, such as chapter 18. This also foreshadows the ultimate separation of the righteous and wicked at the final judgment, as seen in <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet of God, called to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land_of_israel.htm">The Land of Israel</a></b><br>The geographical and spiritual center of the Jewish people, representing the nation and its covenant relationship with God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is both just and merciful, delivering messages through His prophets.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sword.htm">The Sword</a></b><br>A symbol of divine judgment and warfare, representing God's impending judgment on Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous_and_the_wicked.htm">The Righteous and the Wicked</a></b><br>The people of Israel, both those who follow God's laws and those who do not, indicating the comprehensive nature of the coming judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_sin.htm">The Seriousness of Sin</a></b><br>God's judgment is a response to the pervasive sin in the land. We must recognize the gravity of sin in our own lives and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/impartiality_of_god's_judgment.htm">Impartiality of God's Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment does not discriminate between the righteous and the wicked. We must live with integrity, knowing that God sees all.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The impending judgment serves as a call to repentance. We should examine our hearts and turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Prophets like Ezekiel are God's messengers, calling people to awareness and change. We should heed the warnings and teachings of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_beyond_judgment.htm">Hope Beyond Judgment</a></b><br>While this passage focuses on judgment, the broader account of Ezekiel includes restoration. We can trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption.<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/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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_21's_judgment_align_with_god's_mercy.htm">How can the severe judgment imagery in Ezekiel 21 be reconciled with teachings elsewhere in Scripture about God's mercy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_four_horsemen.htm">Who are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse?</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>(3, 4) <span class= "bld">The righteous and the wicked.</span>--This explains <span class= "ital">the green tree </span>and <span class= "ital">the dry </span>of <a href="/ezekiel/20-47.htm" title="And say to the forest of the south, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burned therein.">Ezekiel 20:47</a>; and "all flesh" of <a href="/context/ezekiel/21-4.htm" title="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:">Ezekiel 21:4-5</a>, corresponds to "all faces" of the same. These expressions are meant to show the universality of the approaching desolation. The actual separation in God's sight between the righteous and the wicked has already been plainly set forth in 9:4-6. But still in this, as in all national judgments, the innocent must of necessity be involved in the same temporal sufferings with the guilty. The general terms of this prophecy are to be limited by what is elsewhere said of the mercy which shall be shown to a remnant.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/21-3.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">and tell</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָמַרְתָּ֞</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mar·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[her]</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that this is what</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֚ה</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says:</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘I am against you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלַ֔יִךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·la·yiḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<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">and I will draw</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוֹצֵאתִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hō·w·ṣê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common 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">My sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חַרְבִּ֖י</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">from its sheath</span><br /><span class="heb">מִתַּעְרָ֑הּ</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">and cut off</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hiḵ·rat·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive 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">from you</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֵּ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mim·mêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both the righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֥יק</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">וְרָשָֽׁע׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/21-3.htm">Ezekiel 21:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/21-3.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:3 And tell the land of Israel Thus (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/21-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/21-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 21:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 21:4" /></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>