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 21:14KJV
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Ezekiel 21:14 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“doubled” Hebrew H3717 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 26:9 And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.
  • Exodus 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
  • Exodus 39:9 It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.

“slain” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • Judges 20:30 And the children of Israel went up against the children of Benjamin on the third day, and put themselves in array against Gibeah, as at other times.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:23 And the sons of Hebron; Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth.

“prophesy” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;