Bible Strands
Ezekiel 21:15
So that their hearts may melt and many may stumble, I have appointed at all their gates a sword for slaughter. Yes, it is ready to flash like lightning; it is drawn for slaughter.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks through Ezekiel to the prophet, declaring that He has positioned a sword of slaughter at every gate of the city. This occurs immediately after the command to strike hands together and prophesy a weapon closing in from all sides.
The words — The phrase לָ/מ֣וּג לֵ֗ב (la./Mug Lev) literally means "to melt a heart," describing the psychological collapse of the besieged. The term הַ/מִּכְשֹׁלִ֔ים (ha./mikh.sho.Lim) denotes "the stumblings" or falls that will befall many at the gates.
The thread — The image of a blade polished to flash like lightning and drawn for slaughter appears in Ezekiel 21:10, while the motif of hearts melting with fear is echoed in 2 Samuel 17:10. The specific placement of divine judgment at the city gates recalls the warning in Jeremiah 17:27.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that God has deliberately appointed an inescapable sword at every entrance to ensure complete collapse. It requires the reader to accept that the coming slaughter is a direct, calculated consequence rather than random violence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 17:27 But if you do not listen to Me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying a load while entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in its gates to consume the citadels of Jerusalem.’”
- Ezekiel 21:10 it is sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! Should we rejoice in the scepter of My son? The sword despises every such stick.
- 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.
- Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me.
- Ezekiel 15:7 And I will set My face against them. Though they may have escaped the fire, yet another fire will consume them. And when I set My face against them, you will know that I am the LORD.
- Ezekiel 20:47 Say to the forest of the Negev: Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Lord GOD says: I am about to ignite in you a fire, and it will devour all your trees, both green and dry. The blazing flame will not be quenched, and by it every face from south to north will be scorched.
- Ezekiel 21:7 And when they ask, ‘Why are you groaning?’ you are to say, ‘Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt, and every hand will go limp. Every spirit will faint, and every knee will turn to water.’ Yes, it is coming and it will surely happen, declares the Lord GOD.”
- Ezekiel 21:22 In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.
- Ezekiel 21:28 Now prophesy, son of man, and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says concerning the Ammonites and their contempt: ‘A sword! A sword is drawn for slaughter, polished to consume, to flash like lightning—