Ezekiel 21:1
New International Version
The word of the LORD came to me:

New Living Translation
Then this message came to me from the LORD:

English Standard Version
The word of the LORD came to me:

Berean Standard Bible
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

King James Bible
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

New King James Version
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

New American Standard Bible
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

NASB 1995
And the word of the LORD came to me saying,

NASB 1977
And the word of the LORD came to me saying,

Legacy Standard Bible
And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying,

Amplified Bible
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Christian Standard Bible
The word of the LORD came to me again:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The word of the LORD came to me again:”

American Standard Version
And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said:

English Revised Version
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD spoke his word to me. He said,

Good News Translation
The LORD spoke to me.

International Standard Version
This message came to me from the LORD:

NET Bible
The word of the LORD came to me:

New Heart English Bible
The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

World English Bible
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there is a word of YHWH to me, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And there is a word of Jehovah unto me, saying,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the word of Jehovah will be to me, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

New American Bible
Then the word of the LORD came to me:

New Revised Standard Version
The word of the LORD came to me:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the word of LORD JEHOVAH was upon me, saying:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD's Sword of Judgment
1And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuaries. Prophesy against the land of Israel…

Cross References
Jeremiah 21:1-14
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” / But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that ...

Isaiah 34:5-6
When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Jeremiah 25:15-29
This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. / And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.” / So I took the cup from the LORD’s hand and made all the nations drink from it, each one to whom the LORD had sent me, ...

Lamentations 2:1-8
How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with the cloud of His anger! He has cast the glory of Israel from heaven to earth. He has abandoned His footstool in the day of His anger. / Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob. In His wrath He has demolished the fortified cities of the Daughter of Judah. He brought to the ground and defiled her kingdom and its princes. / In fierce anger He has cut off every horn of Israel and withdrawn His right hand at the approach of the enemy. He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire that consumes everything around it. ...

Amos 7:7-9
This is what He showed me: Behold, the Lord was standing by a wall true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. / “Amos, what do you see?” asked the LORD. “A plumb line,” I replied. “Behold,” said the Lord, “I am setting a plumb line among My people Israel; I will no longer spare them: / The high places of Isaac will be deserted, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste; and I will rise up against the house of Jeroboam with My sword.”

Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.

Matthew 10:34
Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Luke 12:49-53
I have come to ignite a fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! / But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! / Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. ...

Revelation 19:15
And 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.

Isaiah 66:16
For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.

Jeremiah 47:6-7
‘Alas, O sword of the LORD, how long until you rest? Return to your sheath; cease and be still!’ / How can it rest when the LORD has commanded it? He has appointed it against Ashkelon and the shore of its coastland.”

Hosea 6:5
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

Zephaniah 1:4-6
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests— / those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, / and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”

Matthew 24:6-7
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. / Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Luke 21:9-11
When you hear of wars and rebellions, do not be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end is not imminent.” / Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. / There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.


Treasury of Scripture

And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

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Word
Ezekiel 21
1. Ezekiel prophesies against Jerusalem with a sign of sighing
8. The sharp and bright sword
18. against Jerusalem
25. against the kingdom
28. and against the Ammonites














And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
*Biblical Context:* This phrase is a common introduction in the prophetic books, indicating that the message is a direct revelation from God. It underscores the authority and divine origin of the prophecy that follows. Ezekiel, a prophet during the Babylonian exile, often received such messages to convey God's will to the Israelites.

*Historical and Cultural Context:* Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon after the first deportation in 597 BC. The phrase reflects the communication between God and His prophets, a critical aspect of Israelite religion, where prophets served as intermediaries between God and His people.

*Connections to Other Scripture:* Similar phrases are found throughout the Old Testament, such as in Jeremiah and Isaiah, emphasizing the consistency of God's communication with His prophets. This phrase also connects to the New Testament, where Jesus is seen as the ultimate Word of God (John 1:1), fulfilling and embodying the messages delivered by the prophets.

*Prophecy:* The phrase introduces a prophetic message, often containing warnings, judgments, or promises. In Ezekiel 21, the prophecy concerns the impending judgment on Jerusalem and the sword of the LORD, symbolizing divine retribution.

*Types of Jesus Christ:* While this specific phrase does not directly typify Christ, the role of the prophet as a messenger of God's word can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fulfills the role of conveying God's message to humanity.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of God's message. His role is to convey God's warnings and judgments to the people of Israel.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will and judgments through His prophets. In this context, He is delivering a message of impending judgment.

3. Babylonian Exile
The historical backdrop of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites are in captivity in Babylon due to their disobedience to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of Prophets
Prophets are chosen by God to deliver His messages, often involving warnings and calls to repentance. Understanding their role helps us appreciate the seriousness of God's communication.

God's Sovereignty
The phrase "the word of the LORD came" underscores God's active involvement in history and His authority over nations and events.

Listening to God's Word
Just as Ezekiel received God's word, we are called to be attentive to God's voice through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

Judgment and Mercy
While Ezekiel's message often involves judgment, it is also a call to repentance, reflecting God's desire for His people to return to Him.

Historical Context
Understanding the historical context of the Babylonian exile helps us grasp the gravity of the message and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 21:1?

2. How does Ezekiel 21:1 demonstrate God's communication through His prophets today?

3. What role does prophecy play in understanding God's will in Ezekiel 21:1?

4. How can we discern God's messages in our lives like Ezekiel 21:1?

5. How does Ezekiel 21:1 connect with other prophetic warnings in Scripture?

6. How should believers respond to God's warnings as seen in Ezekiel 21:1?

7. What is the significance of God speaking directly to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 21:1?

8. How does Ezekiel 21:1 fit into the broader narrative of God's judgment?

9. Why does God choose Ezekiel as His messenger in Ezekiel 21:1?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 21?

11. What does the Bible say about watchmen?

12. How does Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21-24 align or conflict with other biblical teachings on monotheism?

13. How do modern scholars address perceived moral and ethical issues surrounding the use of a personal tragedy (Ezekiel 24:15-24) as a prophetic sign?

14. Ezekiel 44:2 says the East Gate is permanently shut due to the Lord's presence--what historical or archaeological evidence supports the idea of a gate sealed forever?
What Does Ezekiel 21:1 Mean
And the word

• Ezekiel begins this oracle with the familiar phrase “And the word,” underscoring that what follows is not his own invention but divine communication.

• Scripture repeatedly testifies that God speaks with clarity and purpose: “So is My word that goes out from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11).

Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that God’s word is “living and active,” and this living word now breaks into Ezekiel’s life, setting the stage for a fresh revelation.

• By opening with this phrase, the prophet signals that the message is as binding and trustworthy as any previous word God has given (compare 1 Samuel 3:1, Jeremiah 1:2).


of the LORD

• The source is “the LORD”—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).

• Because the message originates with Him, it carries absolute authority. “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), so Ezekiel’s audience must listen.

• God’s covenant name here also signals both justice and mercy: the same LORD who rescued Israel from Egypt now warns of judgment for their persistent rebellion (Deuteronomy 32:4).

• Cross-references like Amos 3:7 show that the Lord consistently reveals His plans through prophets so His people are without excuse.


came to me

• The phrase highlights God’s initiative; Ezekiel did not seek this word—it “came” unbidden.

• Personal encounter: “came to me” stresses that God deals with individual servants (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

• It indicates prophetic responsibility. Once the word arrives, Ezekiel must act (compare Jonah 1:1-2, where disobedience brings consequences).

• The verb “came” suggests arrival with purpose, much like the Spirit’s empowering in Acts 1:8; the prophet becomes a conduit of divine truth.


saying

• This final word clarifies that the revelation is articulated: God speaks in intelligible sentences, not vague impressions.

• “Saying” introduces the exact content to follow (Ezekiel 21:2-7), where God details the coming “sword” against Jerusalem.

• The pattern matches other prophetic commissions: “The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, ‘Stand in the gate… and proclaim this message’” (Jeremiah 7:1-2).

2 Peter 1:21 affirms that “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit,” so Ezekiel’s forthcoming words are Spirit-borne, not self-generated.


summary

Ezekiel 21:1 serves as the divine heading for a solemn oracle. Every element—“the word,” “of the LORD,” “came to me,” “saying”—emphasizes that the forthcoming message about God’s sword of judgment is authoritative, personal, and verbal. The verse reassures readers that what follows is the infallible voice of the covenant God, delivered through His chosen prophet for the warning and instruction of His people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the word
דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

came
וַיְהִ֥י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

to me,
אֵלַ֥י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

saying,
לֵאמֹֽר׃ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:1 The word of Yahweh came to me (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 20:49
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