Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
EZEKIEL 21:14KJVWhat does Ezekiel 21:14 mean?
Ezekiel 21:14 describes God commanding Ezekiel to prophesy dramatically about coming judgment, using the image of a sword that strikes again and again, even reaching powerful people in their private rooms. The verse emphasizes the certainty and severity of the destruction that is about to come upon the people.
In this verse, God speaks to Ezekiel (called "son of man") and tells him to clap his hands and announce that the sword of judgment will strike not just once, but repeatedly—“doubled the third time.” The setting is a warning to Jerusalem and its leaders, showing that no one, not even the “great men,” will escape this coming disaster.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:14
- "son" (בֵּן, ben) and "man" (אָדָם, adam): God addresses Ezekiel as "son of man," a phrase that highlights Ezekiel’s humanity and his role as a representative for the people.
- "smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or hit, and here it refers to Ezekiel clapping his hands together as a sign of emphasis or alarm, not physical violence.
- "sword" (חֶרֶב, cherev): The repeated mention of the sword underlines the instrument of judgment—often understood as war or invasion.
- "doubled" (שָׁנָה, shanah) and "third" (שְׁלִישִׁי, shelishi): The doubling and tripling language intensifies the warning, suggesting repeated or escalating blows, not just a single event.
- "chambers" (חֶדֶר, cheder): This word means inner rooms or private chambers, showing that even those who hide in the most secure places will not be safe from judgment.
Why Ezekiel 21:14 matters
- Ezekiel 21:14 clarifies that God’s judgment is thorough and unstoppable, reaching even the most powerful and protected individuals.
- The verse uses vivid actions and repetition to make the warning memorable and urgent, showing how seriously God takes the coming judgment.
- This verse connects to the wider passage by reinforcing the theme of inescapable judgment on Jerusalem and its leaders, setting the tone for the rest of Ezekiel’s prophecy in this chapter.