King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 21:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 21:22 in the King James Version says “At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort. captains: or, battering rams: Heb. rams”

Ezekiel 21:22 · King James Version

Context

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

22

At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort. captains: or, battering rams: Heb. rams

23

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken. to them: or, for the oaths made unto them

24

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because, I say, that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand.

Read Ezekiel 21 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem (בִּימִינוֹ הָיָה קֶסֶם יְרוּשָׁלִָם, biymino hayah qesem Yerushalaim)—the right hand position indicates divine favor in pagan divination. Nebuchadnezzar, standing at the crossroads deciding whether to attack Ammon or Jerusalem, casts lots using קֶסֶם (qesem, divination). Ironically, God directs the pagan king's occult practices to execute divine judgment.

To appoint captains (לָשׂוּם כָּרִים, lasum karim), to open the mouth in the slaughter (לִפְתֹּחַ־פֶּה בְּרֶצַח, lifto'akh-peh b'retzakh)—military language for siege preparation. Battering rams (כָּרִים, karim) were massive wooden beams capped with bronze ram heads, used to breach city walls. God's sovereignty extends even to pagan divination—He can direct arrows, idols, and livers (21:21) to accomplish His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In 588 BC, Nebuchadnezzar reached the fork where roads led to Jerusalem or Rabbah (Ammon's capital). Ancient Near Eastern kings used belomancy (arrow divination), teraphim (household idols), and hepatoscopy (liver reading) to make military decisions. God manipulated these practices to direct Babylon against covenant-breaking Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over pagan divination demonstrate His control over all human systems and powers?
  2. What modern equivalents of divination do people consult instead of seeking God's will?

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בִּֽימִינ֞וֹ1 of 20

“At his right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

הָיָ֣ה׀2 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הַקֶּ֣סֶם3 of 20

“was the divination”

H7081

a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם4 of 20

“for Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לָשׂ֤וּם5 of 20

“to appoint”

H7760

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

כָּרִים֙6 of 20

“battering rams”

H3733

a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)

לִפְתֹּ֤חַ7 of 20

“to open”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

פֶּה֙8 of 20

“the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

בְּרֶ֔צַח9 of 20

“in the slaughter”

H7524

a crushing; specifically, a murder-cry

לְהָרִ֥ים10 of 20

“to lift up”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ק֖וֹל11 of 20

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה12 of 20

“with shouting”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

לָשׂ֤וּם13 of 20

“to appoint”

H7760

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

כָּרִים֙14 of 20

“battering rams”

H3733

a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)

עַל15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׁעָרִ֔ים16 of 20

“against the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

לִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ17 of 20

“to cast”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

סֹלְלָ֖ה18 of 20

“a mount”

H5550

a military mound, i.e., rampart of besiegers

לִבְנ֥וֹת19 of 20

“and to build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

דָּיֵֽק׃20 of 20

“a fort”

H1785

a battering-tower

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 21:22 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 21:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 4:2Ezekiel 26:9Jeremiah 51:14Jeremiah 52:4Joshua 6:20Exodus 32:17-18

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 21 →

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