Ezekiel 21:20
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.
Original Language Analysis
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
a way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
תָּשִׂ֔ים
Appoint
H7760
תָּשִׂ֔ים
Appoint
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
2 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
חֶ֔רֶב
that the sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
that the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
4 of 12
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
אֵ֖ת
H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רַבַּ֣ת
to Rabbath
H7237
רַבַּ֣ת
to Rabbath
Strong's:
H7237
Word #:
6 of 12
rabbah, the name of two places in palestine, east and west
בְּנֵֽי
of the Ammonites
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
of the Ammonites
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
7 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַמּ֑וֹן
H5983
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוּדָ֥ה
and to Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֥ה
and to Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
10 of 12
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Jeremiah 49:2Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will cause an alarm of war to be heard in Rabbah of the Ammonites; and it shall be a desolate heap, and her daughters shall be burned with fire: then shall Israel be heir unto them that were his heirs, saith the LORD.Amos 1:14But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour the palaces thereof, with shouting in the day of battle, with a tempest in the day of the whirlwind:Deuteronomy 3:11For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.Ezekiel 25:5And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar chose to attack Jerusalem first (588-586 BC), postponing Ammon's judgment. Later, Babylon also conquered Ammon, fulfilling prophecies in Ezekiel 25:1-7, Jeremiah 49:1-6. Both nations opposed God and suffered judgment, though at different times according to divine sovereignty.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's judgment on multiple nations teach about His universal justice?
- How do we understand timing differences in judgment while maintaining confidence in its certainty?
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Analysis & Commentary
'Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.' The two targets: Rabbath (Ammon's capital) and Jerusalem. Both are 'defenced' (fortified), but neither defense will prevent God's judgment. Nebuchadnezzar must choose which to attack first. Both will eventually fall, but the order matters for the narrative and theological purposes.