New International VersionThen all people will know that I the LORD have drawn my sword from its sheath; it will not return again.’
New Living TranslationEveryone in the world will know that I am the LORD. My sword is in my hand, and it will not return to its sheath until its work is finished.’
English Standard VersionAnd all flesh shall know that I am the LORD. I have drawn my sword from its sheath; it shall not be sheathed again.
Berean Standard BibleThen all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’
King James BibleThat all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.
New King James Versionthat all flesh may know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath; it shall not return anymore.” ’
New American Standard BibleSo humanity will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword from its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again.”’
NASB 1995“Thus all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again."’
NASB 1977 “Thus all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have drawn My sword out of its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again.”’
Legacy Standard Bible Thus all flesh will know that I, Yahweh, have brought out My sword from its sheath. It will not return to its sheath again.”’
Amplified Bibleand all living will know [without any doubt] that I the LORD have drawn My sword out of its sheath; it will not be sheathed again.”’
Christian Standard BibleSo all humanity will know that I, the LORD, have taken my sword from its sheath—it will not be sheathed again.’
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo all the people will know that I, Yahweh, have taken My sword from its sheath—it will not be sheathed again.”
American Standard Versionand all flesh shall know that I, Jehovah, have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more.
Contemporary English Versionknowing that my sword will never be put away.
English Revised Versionand all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen everyone will know that I, the LORD, have taken my sword from its scabbard, and I will not put it back again.'
Good News TranslationEveryone will know that I, the LORD, have drawn my sword and that I will not put it away.
International Standard VersionThen everyone will know that I am the LORD, who unsheathed my sword, and who won't have to unsheathe it again."'
NET BibleThen everyone will know that I am the LORD, who drew my sword from its sheath--it will not be sheathed again!'
New Heart English Bibleand all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more."'
Webster's Bible TranslationThat all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn my sword out of its sheath: it shall not return any more. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’
World English BibleAll flesh will know that I, Yahweh, have drawn my sword out of its sheath. It will not return any more.”’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd all flesh has known that I, YHWH, "" Have brought out My sword from its scabbard, "" It does not turn back anymore.
Young's Literal Translation And known have all flesh that I, Jehovah, Have brought out My sword from its scabbard, It doth not turn back any more.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd all flesh knew that I Jehovah brought forth my sword from its sheath: it shall no more turn back. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat all flesh may know that I the Lord have drawn my sword out of its sheath not to be turned back.
Catholic Public Domain VersionSo may all flesh know that I, the Lord, have led my sword out of its sheath irrevocably.
New American Bibleand all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, have drawn my sword from its scabbard. It cannot return again.
New Revised Standard Versionand all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn my sword out of its sheath; it shall not be sheathed again. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThat all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd everybody shall know that I, LORD JEHOVAH, have brought out my sword from its sheath, and it shall not return again OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and all flesh shall know that I the LORD have drawn forth My sword out of its sheath; it shall not return any more.
Brenton Septuagint Translationand all flesh shall know that I the Lord have drawn forth my sword out of its sheath: it shall not return any more.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The LORD's Sword of Judgment… 4Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. 5Then all flesh will know that I, the LORD, have taken My sword from its sheath, not to return it again.’ 6But you, son of man, groan! Groan before their eyes with a broken heart and bitter grief.…
Cross References Isaiah 45:23By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Jeremiah 25:29For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’
Isaiah 55:11so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.
Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Isaiah 14:24The LORD of Hosts has sworn: “Surely, as I have planned, so will it be; as I have purposed, so will it stand.
Jeremiah 44:28Those who escape the sword will return from Egypt to Judah, few in number, and the whole remnant of Judah who went to dwell in the land of Egypt will know whose word will stand, Mine or theirs!
Isaiah 40:8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Jeremiah 30:24The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this.
Isaiah 46:10I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Romans 14:11It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”
Revelation 19:15And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
John 12:48There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Ezekiel 20:48
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched. Numbers 14:21-23
But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD… Deuteronomy 29:24-28
Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? … it shall 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. 1 Samuel 3:12
In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Jump to Previous Cover Drawn Flesh Forth Scabbard Sheath Sheathed Sword TurnJump to Next Cover Drawn Flesh Forth Scabbard Sheath Sheathed Sword TurnEzekiel 21 1. Ezekiel prophesies against Jerusalem with a sign of sighing8. The sharp and bright sword18. against Jerusalem25. against the kingdom28. and against the AmmonitesThen all flesh will knowThis phrase emphasizes the universality of God's actions and the recognition of His sovereignty. In biblical context, "all flesh" often refers to all humanity, indicating that God's judgment and power are not limited to Israel but extend to all nations. This echoes themes found in Isaiah 45:23, where every knee shall bow, and Philippians 2:10-11, where every tongue will confess the Lordship of Christ. that I, the LORD,
The use of "I, the LORD" underscores the personal involvement and authority of God in the events described. It is a reminder of the covenant name of God, Yahweh, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. This phrase is a declaration of His identity and His role as the ultimate judge and ruler, as seen throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic books. have taken My sword from its sheath,
The imagery of God taking His sword from its sheath symbolizes the initiation of divine judgment. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sword was a common symbol of power and authority, often associated with kings and warriors. This metaphor indicates that God is actively engaging in judgment, similar to the imagery found in Revelation 19:15, where Christ wields a sword to execute judgment. not to return it again.’
This phrase suggests the finality and completeness of God's judgment. Once God's sword is drawn, it will not be sheathed until His purposes are fulfilled. This can be connected to the concept of God's irreversible decrees, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where God's word accomplishes what He desires. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment at the end of the age, as described in Revelation 20:11-15. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is executing judgment. 3. SwordSymbolizes God's impending judgment and wrath against Jerusalem and the nations. 4. IsraelThe primary audience of Ezekiel's prophecy, facing judgment due to their disobedience. 5. Babylonian ExileThe historical context in which Ezekiel prophesied, a period of punishment and reflection for Israel. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod's actions are purposeful and demonstrate His ultimate authority over all nations. The Certainty of God's WordWhen God declares judgment, it is certain and irrevocable, emphasizing the seriousness of His pronouncements. Call to RepentanceUnderstanding the certainty of God's judgment should lead to repentance and a turning back to Him. The Universality of God's Judgment"All flesh" indicates that God's judgment is not limited to Israel but extends to all humanity, underscoring the need for global accountability. Hope in God's JusticeWhile the sword represents judgment, it also assures us that God will ultimately set things right, providing hope for the oppressed. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 21:5?
2. How does Ezekiel 21:5 emphasize God's sovereignty over judgment and justice?
3. What does "the LORD has drawn His sword" reveal about divine intervention?
4. How can we apply God's impartial judgment in Ezekiel 21:5 to our lives?
5. Connect Ezekiel 21:5 with Hebrews 4:12 on the power of God's word.
6. How should Ezekiel 21:5 influence our understanding of God's authority in Scripture?
7. What does Ezekiel 21:5 reveal about God's judgment and sovereignty?
8. How does Ezekiel 21:5 challenge our understanding of divine justice?
9. What historical context is essential for interpreting Ezekiel 21:5?
10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 21?
11. How can the severe judgment imagery in Ezekiel 21 be reconciled with teachings elsewhere in Scripture about God's mercy?
12. Is there any evidence outside the Bible supporting the military and political tumult depicted throughout Ezekiel 21?
13. In Ezekiel 21:3-4, how can God threaten to destroy both the righteous and the wicked without contradicting other texts that portray Him as just?
14. In Ezekiel 5:11-12, how can we reconcile the promised devastating punishment (famine, sword, and scattering) with accounts from other biblical or secular sources?What Does Ezekiel 21:5 Mean Then all flesh will know- The scope is universal—“all flesh” means every human being, echoing prophecies like Isaiah 45:23, “Every knee will bow,” and Revelation 1:7, “Every eye will see Him.” - God’s judgments are never hidden in a corner; they are designed to reveal His character publicly (Psalm 9:16). - When God moves in history, He does so in ways that make it unmistakable that He, not chance or human power, is at work (Exodus 14:31).
that I, the LORD- The focus shifts to His covenant name, reminding us He is the same “I AM” who spoke to Moses (Exodus 3:14). - By repeating “I, the LORD,” He underscores His unique authority, distinguishing Himself from every false deity (Isaiah 42:8). - The people of Judah—and ultimately the nations—will be forced to acknowledge that the God of Scripture is the living God (1 Kings 18:39).
have taken My sword from its sheath- The sword is a vivid picture of divine judgment. Similar imagery appears in Deuteronomy 32:41, “I will sharpen My flashing sword,” and in Revelation 19:15 where Christ “strikes down the nations” with a sharp sword. - This “unsheathing” tells us the judgment has moved from warning to action; mercy’s door is closing for those who persist in rebellion (Nahum 1:2–3). - It is God’s sword, not Babylon’s or any human empire’s. Earthly armies are merely instruments in His hand (Isaiah 10:5–6).
not to return it again- Once God’s sword is unsheathed, the judgment will run its full course; no power can halt or reverse it (Ezekiel 20:48; Ezekiel 24:14). - Jeremiah 23:19–20 speaks of a storm of the LORD that “will not turn back until He has fully performed the intents of His heart.” The same finality is in view here. - For Judah, this meant the coming Babylonian conquest was certain and complete; for the world, it foreshadows the ultimate, irreversible judgment at Christ’s return (Matthew 25:31–46).
summaryEzekiel 21:5 declares that God will act in undeniable, decisive judgment so that every person recognizes His sovereign lordship. By unsheathing His sword, He signals that warnings are over and the sentence will be carried out to the end. The verse calls us to humble ourselves before the One whose judgments are just, certain, and universally revealing of His glory. (5) It shall not return any more-- i.e., until it has fully accomplished its purpose. Other judgments upon Israel had been arrested in mercy--the sword had been returned to the scabbard while its work was still incomplete. This will go on to the end.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then allכָּל־ (kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, everyfleshבָּשָׂ֔ר (bā·śār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, manwill knowוְיָֽדְעוּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To knowthatכִּ֚י (kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunctionI,אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: Ithe LORD,יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhave takenהוֹצֵ֥אתִי (hō·w·ṣê·ṯî)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proximMy swordחַרְבִּ֖י (ḥar·bî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordfrom its sheath,מִתַּעְרָ֑הּ (mit·ta‘·rāh)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8593: A knife, razor, a scabbardnotלֹ֥א (lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, noto return itתָשׁ֖וּב (ṯā·šūḇ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, againagain.’עֽוֹד׃ (‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more
Links Ezekiel 21:5 NIVEzekiel 21:5 NLTEzekiel 21:5 ESVEzekiel 21:5 NASBEzekiel 21:5 KJV
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:5 And all flesh shall know that (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
