Ezekiel 21:30
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
Original Language Analysis
הָשַׁ֖ב
Shall I cause it to return
H7725
הָשַׁ֖ב
Shall I cause it to return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תַּעְרָ֑הּ
into his sheath
H8593
תַּעְרָ֑הּ
into his sheath
Strong's:
H8593
Word #:
3 of 10
a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)
בִּמְק֧וֹם
thee in the place
H4725
בִּמְק֧וֹם
thee in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִבְרֵ֛את
where thou wast created
H1254
נִבְרֵ֛את
where thou wast created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
6 of 10
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
Historical Context
Ammon's territory was roughly modern-day Amman, Jordan. After Nebuchadnezzar's 582 BC conquest, Ammonite identity largely disappeared from history. Archaeological evidence shows massive destruction of Ammonite cities in the early 6th century BC, confirming Ezekiel's prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's refusal to 'sheath the sword' teach about the certainty of judgment?
- How does judging nations 'in their own land' demonstrate God's omnipresence?
- Are there sins or situations you're trying to escape rather than face before God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath?—A rhetorical question expecting 'No.' Once God's sword of judgment is drawn (v. 28), it will not be sheathed until the sentence is fully executed. This contrasts with potential repentance scenarios elsewhere (Jeremiah 18:7-8).
I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity—Ammon would not escape by fleeing; judgment would find them in their homeland east of Jordan. The Hebrew מְכוֹרוֹתַיִךְ (mĕkôrôtayik, 'origins/nativity') and מוֹלַדְתֵּךְ (môladetēk, 'birthplace') emphasize that their ancestral land would become their graveyard. God judges nations where they sinned, removing any illusion of sanctuary. This principle appears throughout Scripture: judgment comes to the sinner's own territory (Obadiah 15-16).