Lectionary Calendar
Monday, April 27th, 2026
the Fourth Week after Easter
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

JPS Old Testament

Ezekiel 21:4

And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.'

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Judgments;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Sword, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Repentance;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Sword;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ezekiel;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Since I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will therefore come out of its sheath against all people from the south to the north.
Hebrew Names Version
Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
King James Version
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
English Standard Version
Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall be drawn from its sheath against all flesh from south to north.
New American Standard Bible
"Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out from its sheath against humanity from south to north.
New Century Version
Because I am going to cut off the wicked and those who do right, my sword will come out from its holder and attack all people from south to north.
Amplified Bible
"Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go from its sheath against all flesh from south to north,
World English Bible
Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Geneva Bible (1587)
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee both the righteous and wicked, therefore shall my sworde goe out of his sheath against all flesh from the South to the North,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go forth from its sheath against all flesh from south to north.
Legacy Standard Bible
Because I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore My sword will go out from its sheath against all flesh from south to north.
Berean Standard Bible
Because I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked, My sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north.
Contemporary English Version
From south to north, people will die,
Complete Jewish Bible
All humanity will see that I, Adonai , lit it; it will not be put out."'"
Darby Translation
Seeing that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north;
Easy-to-Read Version
I will cut off both good people and evil people from you. I will pull my sword from its sheath and use it against all people from south to north.
George Lamsa Translation
Seeing then that I will destroy from you the righteous and the sinner, therefore my sword shall go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north,
Good News Translation
I will use my sword against everyone from south to north.
Lexham English Bible
Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword will go out from its sheath to all creatures from south to north.
Literal Translation
Because I will cut off the righteous and the wicked from you, therefore, My sword shall go out from its sheath against all flesh, from the Negeb to the north.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Seinge then that I will rote out of the both the rightuous & wicked, therfore shal my swearde go out of his sheth, agaynst all flesh from the north to the south:
American Standard Version
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Bible in Basic English
Because I am going to have the upright and the evil cut off from you, for this cause my sword will go out from its cover against all flesh from the south to the north:
King James Version (1611)
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword goe forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the South to the North:
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Seyng then that I wyll cut of from thee both the righteous and the wicked: therfore shall my sworde go out of his sheath agaynst all fleshe from the south to the north,
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Because I will destroy out of thee the unrighteous and the transgressor, therefore so shall my sword come forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
English Revised Version
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe for that that Y haue slayn in thee a iust man and a wickid man, therfor my swerd schal go out of his schethe to ech man, fro the south til to the north;
Update Bible Version
Seeing then that I will cut off from you the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
Webster's Bible Translation
Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth from its sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:
New English Translation
Because I will cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked, my sword will go out from its sheath against everyone from the south to the north.
New King James Version
Because I will cut off both righteous and wicked from you, therefore My sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north,
New Living Translation
Yes, I will cut off both the righteous and the wicked! I will draw my sword against everyone in the land from south to north.
New Life Bible
Because I will destroy from you both the good and the sinful, My sword will go out against everyone from south to north.
New Revised Standard
Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Because I have cut off from thee the righteous and the lawless, Therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And forasmuch as I have cut off in thee the just and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south even to the north.
Revised Standard Version
Because I will cut off from you both righteous and wicked, therefore my sword shall go out of its sheath against all flesh from south to north;
Young's Literal Translation
Because that I have cut off from thee righteous and wicked, Therefore go out doth My sword from its scabbard, Unto all flesh, from south to north.

Contextual Overview

1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying: 2 'Son of man, set thy face toward the South, and preach toward the South, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South; 3 and say to the forest of the South: Hear the word of the LORD: Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree, it shall not be quenched, even a flaming flame; and all faces from the south to the north shall be seared thereby. 4 And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.' 5 Then said I: 'Ah Lord GOD! they say of me: Is he not a maker of parables?' 6 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying: 7 'Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and preach toward the sanctuaries, and prophesy against the land of Israel;

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

against: Ezekiel 6:11-14, Ezekiel 7:2, Ezekiel 20:47

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:25 - will bring Job 9:22 - He destroyeth Isaiah 34:6 - filled Jeremiah 25:27 - because Ezekiel 14:17 - I bring Ezekiel 21:16 - Go Ezekiel 21:30 - Shall I cause it to return Zechariah 13:7 - O sword Luke 23:31 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 21:10
Wherefore she said unto Abraham: 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.'
Genesis 21:12
And God said unto Abraham: 'Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall seed be called to thee.
Genesis 21:22
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spoke unto Abraham, saying: 'God is with thee in all that thou doest.
Genesis 21:23
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son; but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.'
Exodus 12:48
And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Leviticus 12:3
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Deuteronomy 12:32
span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jps" data-ref="deu.12.1" class="versetxt"> These are the statutes and the ordinances, which ye shall observe to do in the land which the LORD, the God of thy fathers, hath given thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree. And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His name there, even unto His habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come; and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock; and there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee. Ye shall not do after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth thee. But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God causeth you to inherit, and He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; then it shall come to pass that the place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD. And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest; but in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh within all thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which He hath given thee; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart. Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thine oil, or the firstlings of thy herd or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill-offerings, nor the offering of thy hand; but thou shalt eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates; and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon thy land. When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee, and thou shalt say: 'I will eat flesh', because thy soul desireth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, after all the desire of thy soul. If the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to put His name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat within thy gates, after all the desire of thy soul. Howbeit as the gazelle and as the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat thereof; the unclean and the clean may eat thereof alike. Only be stedfast in not eating the blood; for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh. Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD. Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose; and thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, the flesh and the blood, upon the altar of the LORD thy God; and the blood of thy sacrifices shall be poured out against the altar of the LORD thy God, and thou shalt eat the flesh. Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the eyes of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest in to dispossess them, and thou dispossessest them, and dwellest in their land; take heed to thyself that thou be not ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying: 'How used these nations to serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.' Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God; for every abomination to the LORD, which He hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked,.... Some by the sword, some by famine, some by pestilence, and others by captivity; and, upon the whole, none spared, but the land left desolate:

therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh, from the south to the north; the Chaldean army shall go out of their own land against all the inhabitants of Judea, from Beersheba to Dan; this explains what is meant by all faces being burnt from the south to the north, Ezekiel 20:47, namely, the general destruction of the Jews by the Chaldeans.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The righteous and the wicked - take the place of “every green tree and every dry tree” Ezekiel 20:47; “all faces” that of “all flesh:” to show the universality of the destructions. National judgment involves the innocent in the temporal ruin of the guilty. The equity of God is vindicated by the ruin being only temporal.

From the south to the north - From one end of the holy land to the other; the seer is in the north, and looks at once on the whole extent of the ruin.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ezekiel 21:4. From the south to the north — The whole land shall be ravaged from one end to the other.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile