What does Ezekiel 7:21 mean?
"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." - Ezekiel 7:21
Ezekiel 7:21 (KJV) says, "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."
This verse is part of a larger prophecy in the book of Ezekiel, which was written during the time of the Babylonian exile. In this chapter, Ezekiel prophesies against the people of Israel for their idolatry, violence, and oppression. The verse specifically refers to the city of Jerusalem and the impending destruction and desolation that will be brought upon it.
The theme of the verse is judgment and divine retribution. The "strangers" and "wicked of the earth" refer to the Babylonians and other nations who will come and conquer Jerusalem, taking it as a spoil for themselves. This is a consequence of the Israelites' disobedience and turning away from God.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. The people of Israel had turned from God and embraced idolatry, moral corruption, and social injustice. These sins had attracted the judgment of God, and Ezekiel's prophecy announces the impending doom that will befall the city of Jerusalem. The "strangers" and "wicked" mentioned in the verse are instruments of God's judgment, bringing about the punishment that the people of Israel deserve.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and evocative. Jerusalem, the holy city and the center of Israelite worship, represents the covenant relationship between God and His people. The fact that it is given into the hands of strangers and the wicked symbolizes the severe judgment and desolation that will befall the people of Israel. This verse serves as a stark warning to the people, illustrating the consequences of turning away from God and breaking the covenant.
The verse also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. The Babylonians, though they are the ones who will conquer Jerusalem, are merely tools in the hands of God, executing His judgment upon the people. This emphasizes the idea that God is in control of all events, even those that may seem destructive or chaotic to human eyes.
Ezekiel's prophecy and the message of this verse also have broader implications for humanity. It serves as a warning against the dangers of moral corruption, injustice, and spiritual unfaithfulness. The consequences that befall the people of Israel serve as a cautionary tale for all people, emphasizing the importance of obedience, righteousness, and fidelity to God.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 7:21 is a powerful and sobering verse that carries a message of divine judgment, consequence, and warning. It serves as a potent reminder of the importance of fidelity to God and the repercussions of turning away from Him. The verse's themes of judgment, retribution, and the sovereignty of God make it a poignant and thought-provoking passage with relevance for both ancient Israel and contemporary readers.
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Ezekiel 7:21 Artwork
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."
"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." - Ezekiel 7:21
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,"
Ezekiel 21:18 - "¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,"
Ezekiel 37:7
Ezekiel 21:8 - "¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 21:7 - "And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh: and every heart shall melt, and all hands shall be feeble, and every spirit shall faint, and all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 28:21 - "Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,"
Ezekiel 37 1-7
proverbs 21 7
Genesis 21-7
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 34:7 - "¶ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;"
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."
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."
Ezekiel 21:13 - "Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 7:7 - "The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains."
Ezekiel 7:25 - "Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none."
Ezekiel 16:21 - "That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?"
Ezekiel 21:9 - "Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:"
Matthew 21:21 Philippians 4:6-7 Ephesians 6:10-18 Put the words on the photo
Ezekiel 21:25 - "¶ And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,"
Ezekiel 21:16 - "Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set."