What does Ezekiel 21:11 mean?
"And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer." - Ezekiel 21:11

Ezekiel 21:11 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer."
This verse is part of a larger passage in which the prophet Ezekiel speaks on behalf of God, delivering a message of judgment and destruction against the nation of Judah. In this particular verse, God is depicted as giving a sword to be polished, sharpened, and prepared for the hand of the slayer. The image of a sharpened sword symbolizes the impending judgment that God will bring upon the wicked.
The context of this passage is important for understanding the meaning and significance of this verse. In the preceding verses, Ezekiel outlines the judgment that will come upon Judah for their rebellion and idolatry. God, through Ezekiel, warns the people of Judah that they will face the sword of the Babylonian army as a consequence of their sins. The sword in this passage represents the instrument of divine judgment, wielded by the Babylonians as a punishment for Judah's disobedience.
One of the key themes in this verse is the concept of divine judgment. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as a just and righteous judge who holds people accountable for their actions. In this passage, the sharpened sword represents the swift and decisive judgment that will be carried out against Judah. It serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of sin and disobedience, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment upon those who reject Him.
The imagery of the polished and sharpened sword also conveys the idea of preparation and readiness. The meticulous process of polishing and sharpening a sword reflects the deliberate and careful planning of God's judgment. It emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of the judgment that will come upon Judah. This imagery serves as a warning to the people, urging them to repent and turn back to God before it is too late.
Furthermore, the mention of the sword being given into the hand of the slayer highlights the role of the Babylonian army as the instrument of God's judgment. In this context, the Babylonians are portrayed as the agents of divine punishment, carrying out God's will to bring about the downfall of Judah. This serves as a reminder that God works through human agents to accomplish His purposes, even in the execution of judgment.
Ultimately, Ezekiel 21:11 serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance, while also highlighting the justice and righteousness of God. The imagery of the sharpened sword and the hand of the slayer serves as a powerful and vivid symbol of the impending judgment that will befall the nation of Judah.
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Ezekiel 21:11 Artwork
Ezekiel 21:11 - "And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer."
"And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer." - Ezekiel 21:11
Ezekiel 11:21 - "But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 21:7
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Ezekiel 39:11
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Ezekiel 39:11
Luke 2:1-20
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,"
1 Timothy 2:1-7
1 Timothy 2:1-7
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,"
Ezekiel 1:10-11
"But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 11:21
Revelation 21:11
Revelation 21:11
Genesis 21-11
Ezekiel 28:21 - "Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,"
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 11:11 - "This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel:"
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."