Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 21

Verses 1-2

The first word of judgment Ezekiel 21:1-7. Ezekiel speaks first to the people of Israel, shows the universality of the coming destructions, and indicates by a sign (that of sighing) the sadness of the calamity.

The words and order of words are identical with Ezekiel 20:45-46, except that for “south,” there are substituted:

(1) “Jerusalem;”

(2) “the holy place,” i. e., the temple and its various parts;

(3) “the land of Israel.”

No subterfuge is left for the people to pretend misunderstanding.

Verse 4

The righteous and the wicked - take the place of “every green tree and every dry tree” Ezekiel 20:47; “all faces” that of “all flesh:” to show the universality of the destructions. National judgment involves the innocent in the temporal ruin of the guilty. The equity of God is vindicated by the ruin being only temporal.

From the south to the north - From one end of the holy land to the other; the seer is in the north, and looks at once on the whole extent of the ruin.

Verse 6

The prophet was directed to let the people see him sighing and prostrate, as a sign of the sorrow and weakness about to come upon the people.

The breaking of thy loins - The prostration of strength; the loins being the seat of strength.

Verses 8-17

The Lord smites together His hands in anger (marginal reference), man in consternation.

Verses 18-32

Shall I cause it to return ... - Or, Back to its sheath! The work of the sword is over.