Ezekiel 21:1

God Uses Babylonia to Judge Israel

1 A message came to me from the Lord. He said,

Ezekiel 21:1 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 1. And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying.
] Upon theEzekiel 21:2

Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem
Which shows that this city was meant by "the south", ( Ezekiel 20:46 ) : and drop thy word toward the holy places;
which also are meant by the south in the passage referred to, even the holy land, holy city, and holy temple; or the temple itself is only meant, with the courts adjoining to it; or as consisting of three parts, as Kimchi, the porch, the temple, and the oracle; or the outward court, the holy place, and the holy of holies; and it may respect all other places for sacred worship, as their synagogues, both in city and country; which were not to be spared any more than the temple, nor were they, ( Psalms 74:7 Psalms 74:8 ) . Jarchi thinks that the destruction both of the first and second temple is here intended; and which sense Kimchi also mentions. And prophesy against the land of Israel:
by which it appears that this is intended by the "forest of the south field": even the numerous inhabitants of it in general, as well as the city of Jerusalem, ( Ezekiel 20:46 ) .

Ezekiel 21:1 In-Context

1 A message came to me from the Lord. He said,

2 "Son of man, turn your attention to Jerusalem. Preach against the temple. Prophesy against the land of Israel.

3 "Tell them, 'The LORD says, "I am against you. I will pull out my sword. I will cut off from you godly people and sinful people alike.

4 Because I am going to cut them off, my sword will be ready to use. I will strike everyone down from south to north.

5 Then all people will know that I have pulled out my sword. I will not put it back. I am the Lord." '