What does Ezekiel 21:15 mean?
"I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter." - Ezekiel 21:15

Ezekiel 21:15 (KJV) says, "I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter." This verse comes from the book of Ezekiel, which is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the time of the Babylonian exile and was called by God to bring messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.
In this particular verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel and delivering a message of impending judgment and destruction upon the Israelites. The "point of the sword" represents the instrument of destruction that God has ordained to come against the people. This sword is set against all their gates, indicating that there is no escape or refuge from the judgment that is coming. The phrase "their heart may faint" suggests that the people will be overcome with fear and despair as they face the inevitable devastation. The use of the word "ruins" implies that the destruction will be so complete that it will leave behind only desolation and devastation.
The exclamation "ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter" emphasizes the inevitability and decisiveness of the impending judgment. The bright or polished appearance of the sword symbolizes its sharpened and lethal nature, ready to carry out the slaughter. The image of something being wrapped up for slaughter evokes the sense of finality and completion, as if the destruction is already prepared and imminent.
The themes present in this verse are those of judgment, destruction, and the consequences of disobedience. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, the prophet delivers messages of warning and judgment to the Israelites, who have turned away from God and embraced idolatry and injustice. The impending destruction is a result of their disobedience and unfaithfulness, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. At the time of Ezekiel, the nation of Israel was facing the imminent threat of invasion and destruction by the Babylonian empire. The people had repeatedly turned away from God and had failed to heed the warnings of the prophets. As a result, God's judgment was about to come upon them in the form of a devastating military conquest.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and powerful. The sword is a potent symbol of judgment and warfare throughout the Bible. It represents the power and authority of God to bring about justice and punishment. The mention of gates symbolizes the defenses and security of the city, which will be unable to withstand the impending destruction. The bright and polished appearance of the sword conveys its readiness and inevitability, while the image of something being wrapped up for slaughter evokes the sense of finality and completion.
Overall, Ezekiel 21:15 (KJV) is a vivid and dramatic portrayal of the impending judgment and destruction that the Israelites are about to face. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God to execute justice. The verse also prompts reflection on the broader themes of sin, judgment, and the enduring faithfulness of God in the face of human unfaithfulness. Ultimately, it points to the need for repentance and the possibility of restoration through turning back to God.
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Ezekiel 21:15 Artwork
Ezekiel 21:15 - "I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter."
"I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter." - Ezekiel 21:15
Ezekiel 21:7
Ezekiel 21:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 12:21 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Luke 15:21
Luke 15:21
Genesis 15:21
Exodus 15:21
Genesis 21-15
Ezekiel 21:18 - "¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,"
Ezekiel 21:8 - "¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
John 14:15-21
John 21:15-19
Luke 21:15-19
Ezekiel 15:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 28:21 - "Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,"
Ezekiel 37:15 - "¶ The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"
Genesis 15:21 - "And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."
Ezekiel 21:21 - "For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver."
Ezekiel 41:21 - "The posts of the temple were squared, and the face of the sanctuary; the appearance of the one as the appearance of the other."
Ezekiel 21:20 - "Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced."
Ezekiel 44:21 - "Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court."
Ezekiel 47:21 - "So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel."
Ezekiel 24:15 - "¶ Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 7:21 - "And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it."
1 Samuel 21:10-15
Joshua 21:15 - "And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,"
Ezekiel 27:21 - "Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats: in these were they thy merchants."
Ezekiel 21:6 - "Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes."