I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

EZEKIEL 21:27KJV
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Ezekiel 21:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 21:27 mean?

Ezekiel 21:27 describes how God will repeatedly overturn or disrupt the current order, removing the existing leadership, until the rightful ruler arrives, to whom God will give authority. The verse points to a time of upheaval that will not end until the one with the legitimate right to rule appears.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Judah, warning them about the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the end of their monarchy. The repeated use of "overturn" emphasizes the total and repeated nature of the coming changes. The final part of the verse hints at a future hope: after all the chaos, someone with a true claim to rule—often understood as a reference to a future, divinely appointed king—will receive the kingdom.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:27

  • "Overturn" (עַוָּה, avvah, H5754) is used three times in a row, stressing the thoroughness and repetition of the upheaval God promises. This word often means to twist, pervert, or overthrow, highlighting how completely God will disrupt the current situation.
  • "Right" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat, H4941) means justice, judgment, or legal right. Here, it refers to the rightful claim to rule, showing that the future leader will have a legitimate, God-given authority.
  • "Give" (נָתַן, natan, H5414) means to give or grant. God is the one who will hand over authority, making it clear that the future ruler's power comes directly from God, not from human effort.

Why Ezekiel 21:27 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the coming upheaval is not random but directed by God, with a specific purpose and endpoint.
  • The triple repetition of "overturn" reveals the depth and seriousness of the judgment against the current rulers, showing that no human leader will be able to stop what God has decided.
  • By pointing to a future ruler with the true right to rule, Ezekiel 21:27 connects the immediate judgment to a larger hope, tying this prophecy to the theme of a coming, divinely appointed king found elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.