Ezekiel 21:10
It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree.
Original Language Analysis
לְמַ֨עַן
H4616
לְמַ֨עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
טְבֹ֤חַ
to make a sore
H2874
טְבֹ֤חַ
to make a sore
Strong's:
H2874
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
הוּחַ֔דָּה
It is sharpened
H2300
הוּחַ֔דָּה
It is sharpened
Strong's:
H2300
Word #:
4 of 16
to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe
לְמַעַן
H4616
לְמַעַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
הֱיֵה
H1961
הֱיֵה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּ֖רָק
that it may glitter
H1300
בָּ֖רָק
that it may glitter
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
8 of 16
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
מֹרָ֑טָּה
H4803
מֹרָ֑טָּה
Strong's:
H4803
Word #:
9 of 16
to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen
א֣וֹ
should
H176
א֣וֹ
should
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
10 of 16
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
שֵׁ֥בֶט
the rod
H7626
שֵׁ֥בֶט
the rod
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
12 of 16
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
בְּנִ֖י
of my son
H1121
בְּנִ֖י
of my son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֹאֶ֥סֶת
it contemneth
H3988
מֹאֶ֥סֶת
it contemneth
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
14 of 16
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
Historical Context
Despite Ezekiel's repeated warnings, many exiles and Jerusalem residents continued normal life, celebrating festivals, conducting business, presuming safety. This denial persisted until Babylon's siege made judgment undeniable. The prophetic question 'should we make mirth?' indicts those celebrating when they should be repenting, revealing human capacity for self-deception even facing clear warnings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'making mirth' despite warnings illustrate spiritual denial and hardness?
- What does the sharpened sword's purpose (slaughter) teach about judgment's terrible reality?
- In what ways do people today celebrate or conduct business-as-usual despite clear biblical warnings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, as every tree." The sword's purpose is explicit—"sore slaughter" (tevach tebach, טֶבַח טָבַח), emphatic intensification meaning massive killing. "Should we then make mirth?" (o nasis, אוֹ נָשִׂישׂ) suggests some were celebrating despite warnings—tragic denial of imminent danger. The obscure phrase about "rod of my son" likely refers to Judah's scepter (Genesis 49:10) being despised—royal authority rejected, making judgment inevitable.