THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Continue to work, O My right hand, even if My gaze is set against Jerusalem, to completely demolish and lay it waste.
Ezekiel 21:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Be thou sharpened, go to the right hand, or to the left, which way soever thou hast a mind to set thy face.
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛הּ לְמָרְטָ֖ה לִתְפֹּ֣שׂ בַּכָּ֑ף הִֽיא־הוּחַ֤דָּה חֶ֙רֶב֙ וְהִ֣יא מֹרָ֔טָּה לָתֵ֥ת אוֹתָ֖הּ בְּיַד־הוֹרֵֽג׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theodoret of Cyrus
And you, O son of man, bow down and entreat with your hands while fortifying the sword; the third sword symbolizes a scourge, a profound affliction. He summons the forces against Jerusalem during the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, which he identifies as the third sword, despite being the fourth in sequence; however, since no blood was spilled during Jechoniah's time and the king willingly surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar along with his mother, wife, and those in authority, he correctly refers to Zedekiah's period as the third, encompassing both battles and military invasions rather than mere incursions. This underscores why it is declared that the third sword is formidable.
Read more (173 words)
Then the Prophet is informed of the reason for such commendation. I am overwhelmed, for their hearts will be broken, and the weakest among their foes will grow numerous, destined to face the edge of the sword. Proclaim and declare that which may instill fear in them, that their hearts may be shattered; specifically, that the obstinacy of their hearts may be shattered through the foretelling of impending disasters. It suffices to terrify them with the certainty of death, as all the gates will be filled with the deceased.
Then God, through personification, conveys His allowances. The good is sharp and quick to sever, the good shines brilliantly. You will move like lightning, and you will be sharpened on both the right and left, and your countenance will be raised. The sword is keen on both edges, honed finely, radiating a brilliance akin to lightning. Therefore, declares God, clear the path as you choose, whether to the left or to the right: I will be your aid. These truths He further expressed, adding:
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ezek 14:17Or if I bring the sword upon that land, and say to the sword: Pass through the land: and I destroy man and beast out of it:
- Ezek 21:4And forasmuch as I have cut off in thee the just and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of its sheath against all flesh, from the south even to the north.
- Ezek 16:46And thy elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister that dwelleth at thy right hand is Sodom, and her daughters.
- Ezek 21:20Thou shalt make a way that the sword may come to Rabbath of the children of Ammon, and to Juda unto Jerusalem the strong city.
- Gen 13:9Behold the whole land is before thee: depart from me, I pray thee: if thou wilt go to the left hand, I will take the right: if thou choose the right hand, I will pass to the left.