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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֹ֔חַן
Because it is a trial
H974
בֹ֔חַן
Because it is a trial
Strong's:
H974
Word #:
2 of 12
to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate
וּמָ֕ה
H4100
וּמָ֕ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 12
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
שֵׁ֥בֶט
even the rod
H7626
שֵׁ֥בֶט
even the rod
Strong's:
H7626
Word #:
6 of 12
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
מֹאֶ֖סֶת
and what if the sword contemn
H3988
מֹאֶ֖סֶת
and what if the sword contemn
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
7 of 12
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֑ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Zedekiah was the last Davidic king in the pre-exilic period. His removal ended the monarchy for centuries. The 'scepter being no more' seemed to contradict God's promises to David, creating theological crisis resolved through messianic hope. Post-exilic Judaism developed expectation of coming Davidic king who would restore the throne. Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1; Luke 3) and messianic claims fulfilled this hope—the scepter that ended in 586 BC was restored eternally in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the rod/scepter's ending create tension with divine promises to David?
- What does this apparent contradiction teach about waiting for messianic fulfillment?
- In what ways does Christ's eternal kingship fulfill and surpass Davidic monarchy?
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Analysis & Commentary
"Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD." Judgment serves as divine trial or testing (bochan, בֹּחַן). The rhetorical question asks what happens when the sword (Babylon) despises the rod (Judah's scepter)—answer: the scepter ends ("it shall be no more"). This predicts Davidic monarchy's cessation through Babylonian conquest, fulfilled when Zedekiah's sons were executed and he was exiled (2 Kings 25:7). Yet God promised David's line would endure (2 Samuel 7:16), fulfilled ultimately in Christ, the eternal King.