Ezekiel 21:22
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.
Original Language Analysis
בִּֽימִינ֞וֹ
At his right hand
H3225
בִּֽימִינ֞וֹ
At his right hand
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
1 of 20
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
הָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
הָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַקֶּ֣סֶם
was the divination
H7081
הַקֶּ֣סֶם
was the divination
Strong's:
H7081
Word #:
3 of 20
a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
for Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם
for Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
לָשׂ֤וּם
to appoint
H7760
לָשׂ֤וּם
to appoint
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
5 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
כָּרִים֙
battering rams
H3733
כָּרִים֙
battering rams
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
6 of 20
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ
to open
H6605
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ
to open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
7 of 20
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
פֶּה֙
the mouth
H6310
פֶּה֙
the mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
8 of 20
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לְהָרִ֥ים
to lift up
H7311
לְהָרִ֥ים
to lift up
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
10 of 20
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה
with shouting
H8643
בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה
with shouting
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
12 of 20
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
לָשׂ֤וּם
to appoint
H7760
לָשׂ֤וּם
to appoint
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
כָּרִים֙
battering rams
H3733
כָּרִים֙
battering rams
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
14 of 20
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
to cast
H8210
לִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
to cast
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
17 of 20
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
Cross References
Historical Context
In 588 BC, Nebuchadnezzar reached the fork where roads led to Jerusalem or Rabbah (Ammon's capital). Ancient Near Eastern kings used belomancy (arrow divination), teraphim (household idols), and hepatoscopy (liver reading) to make military decisions. God manipulated these practices to direct Babylon against covenant-breaking Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty over pagan divination demonstrate His control over all human systems and powers?
- What modern equivalents of divination do people consult instead of seeking God's will?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem (בִּימִינוֹ הָיָה קֶסֶם יְרוּשָׁלִָם, biymino hayah qesem Yerushalaim)—the right hand position indicates divine favor in pagan divination. Nebuchadnezzar, standing at the crossroads deciding whether to attack Ammon or Jerusalem, casts lots using קֶסֶם (qesem, divination). Ironically, God directs the pagan king's occult practices to execute divine judgment.
To appoint captains (לָשׂוּם כָּרִים, lasum karim), to open the mouth in the slaughter (לִפְתֹּחַ־פֶּה בְּרֶצַח, lifto'akh-peh b'retzakh)—military language for siege preparation. Battering rams (כָּרִים, karim) were massive wooden beams capped with bronze ram heads, used to breach city walls. God's sovereignty extends even to pagan divination—He can direct arrows, idols, and livers (21:21) to accomplish His purposes.