And thou, son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the Ammonites, and concerning their reproach; even say thou, The sword, the sword is drawn: for the slaughter it is furbished, to consume because of the glittering:

EZEKIEL 21:28KJV
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Ezekiel 21:28 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 21:28 mean?

Ezekiel 21:28 declares that God commands Ezekiel to prophesy against the Ammonites, warning them that a sword—symbolizing coming judgment and destruction—is ready and shining, prepared for slaughter because of their reproach. The verse makes clear that the Ammonites, like others, will face consequences for their actions and insults.

In this verse, God speaks to Ezekiel (called "son of man") and tells him to announce a message about the Ammonites, a neighboring nation often hostile to Israel. The "sword" represents war or disaster, and the "glittering" shows it is sharpened and ready. The focus is on the certainty and seriousness of the judgment coming to the Ammonites for their mocking and hostility.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 21:28

  • "Reproach" (חֶרְפָּה, ḥerpah) means insult or disgrace. The verse singles out the Ammonites' mocking attitude toward Israel, showing that their words and actions have consequences.
  • "Sword" (חֶרֶב, ḥerev) is repeated for emphasis, stressing the certainty and severity of the coming judgment.
  • "Furbished" (מָרַט, marat) means polished or made bright, suggesting the sword is not just ready but also threatening and visible—there is no hiding from what is coming.
  • "Glittering" (בָּרָק, baraq) literally means "lightning" or "flashing," painting a vivid picture of a weapon that is both dangerous and impossible to ignore.

Why Ezekiel 21:28 matters

  • Ezekiel 21:28 shows that God's judgment is not limited to Israel; neighboring nations like the Ammonites are also held accountable for their actions and attitudes.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of mocking or rejoicing over another nation's downfall, which the Ammonites did toward Israel.
  • This prophecy connects to the wider passage where God uses the image of a sword to describe coming judgment, making it clear that no nation is beyond God's reach or justice.

Where else these words appear

“furbished” Hebrew H4803 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 13:40 And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
  • Ezra 9:3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
  • Ezekiel 21:9 Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:

“slaughter” Hebrew H2874 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 43:16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
  • Isaiah 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
  • Jeremiah 48:15 Moab is spoiled, and gone up out of her cities, and his chosen young men are gone down to the slaughter, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

“glittering” Hebrew H1300 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
  • Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
  • Ezekiel 21:10 It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.

“reproach” Hebrew H2781 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 30:23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
  • Psalms 71:13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
  • Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.