Ezekiel 21:11 — Meaning and Application

Son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD; Say, A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished:

It is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of my son, {as} every tree. {it contemneth...: or, it is the rod of my son, it despiseth every tree}

And he hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.

Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it {shall be} upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon {thy} thigh. {terrors...: or, they are thrust down to the sword with my people}

Because {it is} a trial, and what if {the sword} contemn even the rod? it shall be no {more}, saith the Lord GOD. {Because...: or, When the trial hath been, what then? shall they not also belong to the despising rod?}