Ezekiel 21:19 — English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
"Son of man, mark out on a map two roads for the sword to take. The sword belongs to the king of Babylonia. Both roads start from the same country. Put up a sign where the road turns off to the city of Rabbah.
What Does This Mean?
Ezekiel is told to visualize two paths leading to a city, indicating the king of Babylon's army will split into two groups, both coming from the same land. The focus is on predicting the Babylonian attack.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where you have to split your toys into two groups to reach a toy city. That's what the verse is talking about, but with a real army that's going to attack a real city.
Historical Background
Ezekiel wrote this prophecy around 593-571 BCE. He was speaking to the exiled Israelites, predicting the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem, using symbolic actions to convey the message.
Living It Out Today
This verse can be applied to making decisions where you have to choose between two paths. Like choosing between two job offers or deciding which college to attend, both paths might lead to different outcomes.
What does it mean to 'appoint two ways' in this verse?
It means to visualize or prepare for two different paths or directions that the Babylonian army will take in their attack on the city.
Who is the 'son of man' in this verse?
The term 'son of man' refers to Ezekiel, who is receiving this prophecy from God. It's a way of identifying Ezekiel as a human messenger of divine revelation.
What is the significance of the 'sword of the king of Babylon'?
The sword symbolizes the military force of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who is about to invade and conquer the city of Jerusalem.
How does this verse relate to decision-making?
The verse can be seen as a metaphor for making critical decisions in life, where one must choose between multiple paths, each leading to different outcomes, much like the Babylonian army's paths.
