King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 21:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 21:4 in the King James Version says “Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his she... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:

Ezekiel 21:4 · KJV


Context

2

Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,

3

And say to the land of Israel, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth my sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked.

4

Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:

5

That all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.

6

Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:" The comprehensive scope "from south to north" (mi-negev ad-tzafon, מִנֶּגֶב עַד־צָפוֹן) covers entire land—no region escapes. "Against all flesh" (el-kol-basar, אֶל־כָּל־בָּשָׂר) universalizes judgment. The drawn sword remains unsheathed until judgment completes—no premature mercy interrupts God's determined purpose. This totality ensures no one escapes through geography or strategy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's conquest indeed affected the entire land from southern Negev to northern borders. Archaeological surveys document comprehensive destruction across Judah. No city or region avoided devastation. The totality fulfilled this prophecy—the drawn sword didn't return to its sheath until judgment was complete. This geographic comprehensiveness demonstrated that covenant violation brought universal consequences, not localized problems.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does geographic totality (south to north) illustrate judgment's inescapability?
  2. What does the unsheathed sword (not returning until complete) teach about God's determined purposes?
  3. In what ways does comprehensive judgment prevent presuming some areas are safe from divine discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יַ֛עַן1 of 15

Seeing

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁר2 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִכְרַ֥תִּי3 of 15

then that I will cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִמֵּ֖ךְ4 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

צַדִּ֣יק5 of 15

from thee the righteous

H6662

just

וְרָשָׁ֑ע6 of 15

and the wicked

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

לָ֠כֵן7 of 15
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תֵּצֵ֨א8 of 15

go forth

H3318

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

חַרְבִּ֧י9 of 15

therefore shall my sword

H2719

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

מִתַּעְרָ֛הּ10 of 15

out of his sheath

H8593

a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)

אֶל11 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל12 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּשָׂ֖ר13 of 15

against all flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

מִנֶּ֥גֶב14 of 15

from the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

צָפֽוֹן׃15 of 15

to the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)


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 21:4 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 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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