Ezekiel 21:31
And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁפַכְתִּ֤י
And I will pour out
H8210
וְשָׁפַכְתִּ֤י
And I will pour out
Strong's:
H8210
Word #:
1 of 13
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
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
H5921
עָלַ֙יִךְ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
זַעְמִ֔י
mine indignation
H2195
זַעְמִ֔י
mine indignation
Strong's:
H2195
Word #:
3 of 13
strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)
אָפִ֣יחַ
upon thee I will blow
H6315
אָפִ֣יחַ
upon thee I will blow
Strong's:
H6315
Word #:
6 of 13
to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff
עָלָ֑יִךְ
H5921
עָלָ֑יִךְ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּנְתַתִּ֗יךְ
and deliver
H5414
וּנְתַתִּ֗יךְ
and deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּיַד֙
thee into the hand
H3027
בְּיַד֙
thee into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 13
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
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Isaiah 30:33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.Psalms 18:15Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.Jeremiah 4:7The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Ezekiel 7:8Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.Ezekiel 14:19Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast:Haggai 1:9Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.Isaiah 40:7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.Isaiah 37:7Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army was infamous for systematic, professional destruction. Archaeological excavations show Babylonian siege techniques were brutally efficient, including starvation tactics, systematic burning, and complete demolition of city walls and gates.
Questions for Reflection
- How can God righteously use 'brutish men' as instruments of His judgment?
- What does God's 'blowing on' judgment fires teach about His active involvement?
- When have you seen God use difficult circumstances as refining fire in your life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I will pour out mine indignation upon thee—The Hebrew זַעְמִי (zaʿmî, 'indignation/wrath') describes God's burning anger at persistent covenant violation. The 'pouring out' (שָׁפַךְ, shāphak) metaphor suggests overwhelming, inescapable judgment like a flood.
I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath—God Himself becomes the bellows (פּוּחַ, pûaḥ, 'to blow/breathe'), intensifying judgment like a blacksmith fans flames. And deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy—The Babylonians are described as בֹּעֲרִים (bōʿărîm, 'brutish/burning'), and חָרָשֵׁי מַשְׁחִית (ḥārāshê mashḥît, 'artisans of destruction'). This chilling phrase depicts professional destroyers—soldiers whose craft was devastation. God uses ungodly nations as instruments of His righteous judgment (Isaiah 10:5-6).