Ezekiel 21 Study Notes

21:18-20 Rabbah was the capital of Ammon (Jr 49:2). It is the location of modern Amman, the capital of Jordan. The combined conspiracy of Judah and Ammon against Babylonia in 589 BC undoubtedly precipitated this coming of the Babylonian army (Jr 27:3).

21:21-22 The practice of shaking marked arrows in a quiver, letting them fall to the ground or shooting them into the distance and then interpreting the pattern, was known as belomancy (2Kg 13:15-19). It was a form of casting lots. The idols (Hb teraphim) appear to have been miniature household gods that were consulted even by Israelites (Gn 31:30; Hs 3:4; Zch 10:2). The examination of the liver of a sacrificial animal—called hepatoscopy and the best known of these practices in Mesopotamian literature—is mentioned only here in the OT. Though God did not condone divination in any form, as sovereign over the earth he controls all things; thus, in some sense even pagan practices could, by God’s choice, reveal his will (Jnh 1:7).

21:23 Divination is expressly prohibited in Dt 18:10 and 2Kg 17:17. The phrase sworn an oath to the Babylonians probably refers to the treaty oaths made by Babylonia and Judah.

21:24-25 Wicked prince of Israel refers to King Zedekiah.

21:26 The turban was worn by priests, but it also served as a setting for the crown (Ex 28:36-37; 29:6; 39:31; Lv 8:9). The removal of these signs of dignity signifies degradation, as in Jb 19:9 and Lm 5:16. The removal of the priesthood and the kingship from Judah is symbolized by the removal of the high priest’s turban (Ex 28:4,37,39; 29:6) and the king’s crown.

21:27 The turban and the crown would not be worn again until he comes—a clear reference to Gn 49:10 and the king-priest Messiah (cp. Heb 5-7). Ezekiel used this reference with its messianic overtones to emphasize that the kingship (and priesthood) would be removed in judgment but returned ultimately in the Messiah’s coming in accord with Gn 49:10 (Ps 2:6; Jr 23:5-6; Ezk 37:24; Zch 6:12-15).

21:28-30 The Ammonites, who participated in the judgment of Jerusalem, would themselves be objects of wrath.

21:31-32 The fire of the Lord’s fury reflects the covenant curses. Fire was a symbol of divine judgment (Dt 28:24; 32:22).