Ezekiel 21:19
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.
Original Language Analysis
בֶן
Also thou son
H1121
בֶן
Also thou son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֜ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֜ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 21
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שִׂים
appoint
H7760
שִׂים
appoint
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
דֶּֽרֶךְ
of the way
H1870
דֶּֽרֶךְ
of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
חֶ֣רֶב
that the sword
H2719
חֶ֣רֶב
that the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
9 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
11 of 21
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
אֶחָ֖ד
out of one
H259
אֶחָ֖ד
out of one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יֵצְא֣וּ
shall come forth
H3318
יֵצְא֣וּ
shall come forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְיָ֣ד
thou a place
H3027
וְיָ֣ד
thou a place
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 21
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׃
and choose
H1254
בָּרֵֽא׃
and choose
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
17 of 21
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
בְּרֹ֥אשׁ
it at the head
H7218
בְּרֹ֥אשׁ
it at the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
18 of 21
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
דֶּֽרֶךְ
of the way
H1870
דֶּֽרֶךְ
of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
19 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty work through even pagan decision-making processes?
- What does this teach about the relationship between human choices and divine control?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'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.