Ezekiel 21:13

13 Because it is a trial,[a] and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 21:13

Because it is a trial
As all afflictions and calamities are, especially to the people of God they try their faith and patience, and every other grace; and also to wicked men, they try them, whether they will repent or not: and what if the sword contemn even the rod?
the sceptre: the king of Judah, and his family; not only come upon and cut off the people and the princes, but the royal family also; and even overturn the tribe of Judah, as the word also signifies; and subvert the government of it, of which the rod or sceptre is an ensign; this would be a sore trial indeed, and yet it is intimated that so it should be: it shall be no more, saith the Lord God;
the rod or sceptre shall be no more in one of David's line, of the tribe Judah, until the Messiah comes, ( Ezekiel 21:27 ) . I should choose to render the words thus, "for it is a trial, but what?" F23 what an one is it? or for what is it? what will be the fruit, effect, and issue of it? if also the sceptre despises;
the king despises the trial, the affliction, the calamity, and is not brought to repentance by it: it shall be no more,
or "it shall not be" F24, saith the Lord God;
it, the sceptre, shall be taken away, and not restored to the house of David, until the Messiah comes.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 (hmw Nxb yk) "quum fuit probatio quid tandem fuit?" Junius & Tremellius, Polanus.
F24 (hyhy al) , "non erit", V. L. "scilicet sceptrum", Mariana.

Ezekiel 21:13 In-Context

11 And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.
12 Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh.
13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.
14 Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers.
15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Because...: or, When the trial hath been, what then? shall they not also belong to the despising rod?
The King James Version is in the public domain.