King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 21:19 Mean?

Ezekiel 21:19 in the King James Version says “Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come fort...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.”

Ezekiel 21:19 · King James Version


Context

17

I will also smite mine hands together, and I will cause my fury to rest: I the LORD have said it.

18

The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,

19

Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

20

Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites , and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

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. parting of: Heb. mother of arrows: or, knives images: Heb. teraphim


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
'Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.' Ezekiel must diagram Nebuchadnezzar's decision-making—two possible invasion routes from Babylon, both leading from 'one land.' 'Choose thou a place...at the head of the way to the city' depicts a crossroads where direction will be chosen. This sets up the divination scene in the next verses.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings used divination to make military decisions. Nebuchadnezzar could attack either Ammon (Rabbah) or Judah (Jerusalem). The prophet visually depicts this decision point, showing that even pagan divination serves God's sovereign purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty work through even pagan decision-making processes?
  2. What does this teach about the relationship between human choices and divine control?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאַתָּ֨ה1 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בֶן2 of 21

“Also thou son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֜ם3 of 21

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

שִׂים4 of 21

“appoint”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְךָ֣׀5 of 21
H0
שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם6 of 21

“both twain”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

דֶּֽרֶךְ7 of 21

“of the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

לָבוֹא֙8 of 21

“may come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֶ֣רֶב9 of 21

“that the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

מֶֽלֶךְ10 of 21

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל11 of 21

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ12 of 21

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶחָ֖ד13 of 21

“out of one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

יֵצְא֣וּ14 of 21

“shall come forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם15 of 21

“both twain”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

וְיָ֣ד16 of 21

“thou a place”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בָּרֵֽא׃17 of 21

“and choose”

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)

בְּרֹ֥אשׁ18 of 21

“it at the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

דֶּֽרֶךְ19 of 21

“of the way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

עִ֖יר20 of 21

“to the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בָּרֵֽא׃21 of 21

“and choose”

H1254

(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 21:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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