Ezekiel 21:20
New International Version
Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites and another against Judah and fortified Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
one road going to Ammon and its capital, Rabbah, and the other to Judah and fortified Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
Mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah, into Jerusalem the fortified.

Berean Standard Bible
Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

King James Bible
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

New King James Version
Appoint a road for the sword to go to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah, into fortified Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
You shall mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
“You shall mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
“You shall mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall mark a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
You shall point out a way for the [Babylonian] sword to come to Rabbah [the capital] of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
Mark out a road that the sword can take to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Mark out a road that the sword can take to Rabbah of the Ammonites and to Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt appoint a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.

Contemporary English Version
Clearly mark where the two roads lead. One goes to Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, and the other goes to Jerusalem, the fortified capital of Judah.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt appoint a way, for the sword to come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Mark the road that the king and his sword can take to the Ammonite city of Rabbah, and mark the road that leads to Judah and the fortified city of Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
One will show the king the way to the Ammonite city of Rabbah, and the other the way to Judah, to the fortified city, Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
Set it to point one way for bringing the sword against Rabbah, the descendants of Ammon, and the other way against Judah and fortified Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Mark out the routes for the sword to take: "Rabbah of the Ammonites" and "Judah with Jerusalem in it."

New Heart English Bible
You shall appoint a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the people of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem, the fortified.

Webster's Bible Translation
Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbah of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.

World English Bible
You shall appoint a way for the sword to come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Appoint a way for the coming of the sword, "" To Rabbath of the sons of Ammon, "" And to Judah, in fortified Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
A way appoint for the coming of the sword, Unto Rabbath of the sons of Ammon, And to Judah, in Jerusalem -- the fenced.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt set the way for the sword to come to Rabbath of the sons of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt make a way that the sword may come to Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and to Juda unto Jerusalem the strong city.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall appoint a way, so that the sword may approach to Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, or to Judah, into Jerusalem, greatly fortified.

New American Bible
so the sword can come to Rabbah of the Ammonites or to Judah and its fortress, Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
mark out the road for the sword to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites or to Judah and to Jerusalem the fortified.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And prepare a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah and to Jerusalem, the mighty city.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And make a road that the sword may come against Rabbath of the children of Amon, and against Yehuda, and against the mighty Jerusalem
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou shalt make a way, that the sword may come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the fortified.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that the sword may enter in upon Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and upon Judea, and upon Jerusalem in the midst thereof.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The LORD's Sword of Judgment
19“Now you, son of man, mark out two roads for the sword of the king of Babylon to take, both starting from the same land. And make a signpost where the road branches off to each city. 20Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem. 21For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 25:9
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation.

Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets.

Jeremiah 21:7
‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’

2 Kings 25:1-7
So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. / And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. / By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. ...

Jeremiah 39:1-3
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. / And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. / Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.

Lamentations 2:3-4
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. / He has bent His bow like an enemy; His right hand is positioned. Like a foe He has killed all who were pleasing to the eye; He has poured out His wrath like fire on the tent of the Daughter of Zion.

Jeremiah 50:9
For behold, I stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from the north she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.

Isaiah 13:17
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold.

Jeremiah 6:22-23
This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Zion.”

Daniel 5:28
PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

Isaiah 45:1
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

Jeremiah 50:41-42
Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

Revelation 17:16-17
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. / For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Matthew 24:15-16
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:20-22
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.


Treasury of Scripture

Appoint a way, that the sword may come to Rabbath of the Ammonites, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defended.

Rabbath

Ezekiel 25:5
And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 3:11
For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.

2 Samuel 12:26
And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city.

Rabbah

2 Samuel 5:9
So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

2 Chronicles 26:9
Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.

2 Chronicles 32:5
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

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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














Mark out the way
The phrase "Mark out the way" suggests a deliberate and intentional action. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "שׁוּב" (shuv), which means to turn or return. This implies a purposeful direction or path being set. Historically, this reflects the prophetic role of Ezekiel, who is instructed to delineate the path of judgment. The marking of the way signifies God's sovereign control over the unfolding events, emphasizing His authority in directing the course of nations.

for the sword
The "sword" is a recurring symbol in Ezekiel, representing divine judgment and warfare. In Hebrew, the word is "חֶרֶב" (cherev), which often denotes destruction and the execution of God's justice. The sword is not merely a physical weapon but a representation of God's righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. This imagery would resonate with the original audience, who understood the sword as a tool of both human and divine retribution.

to come to Rabbah of the Ammonites
"Rabbah of the Ammonites" refers to the capital city of the Ammonites, a people often in conflict with Israel. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, and their relationship with Israel was marked by hostility and idolatry. The mention of Rabbah signifies a specific target of God's judgment, highlighting the broader theme of accountability for nations that oppose God's people. Archaeological findings in the region of modern-day Amman, Jordan, provide evidence of the city's historical significance and its eventual downfall, aligning with the prophetic declarations.

and to Judah
"Judah" represents the southern kingdom of Israel, which, despite its covenant relationship with God, had fallen into idolatry and disobedience. The inclusion of Judah in this prophecy underscores the impartiality of God's judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder that proximity to God’s promises does not exempt one from His justice. The historical context of Judah's repeated warnings through prophets like Ezekiel highlights the nation's persistent rebellion and the consequent divine discipline.

into fortified Jerusalem
"Fortified Jerusalem" emphasizes the city's perceived strength and security, with its walls and defenses. In Hebrew, "Jerusalem" is "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), a city central to Jewish identity and faith. The term "fortified" suggests a false sense of security that the inhabitants had, believing their city to be impregnable due to its divine association. However, the prophecy reveals that no earthly fortification can withstand the judgment of God. Historically, Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in 586 BC fulfilled this prophecy, serving as a poignant lesson on the futility of relying on human strength over divine obedience.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Mark out
תָּשִׂ֔ים (tā·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

one road
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

for the sword
חֶ֔רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

to come
לָב֣וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

against Rabbah
רַבַּ֣ת (rab·baṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7237: Rabbah -- two places in Israel

of the Ammonites,
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

and [another]
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

against Judah
יְהוּדָ֥ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

into fortified
בְּצוּרָֽה׃ (bə·ṣū·rāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1219: To cut off, make inaccessible, enclose

Jerusalem.
בִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:20 You shall appoint a way (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 21:19
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