Ezekiel 21:17 - I will also strike my hands together, and I will cause my wrath to rest. I, Yahweh, have spoken it.”
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What does "Ezekiel 21:17" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 21:17 is part of a longer prophecy concerning God's judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding land. To understand it, let's break it down:
"I will also strike my hands together...": This is a gesture of intense anger, frustration, or determination. It's not just passive anger, but active anger, expressing the force with which God will execute his judgment. Think of it as God saying, "Enough is enough!"
"...and I will cause my wrath to rest.": This doesn't mean God will stop being angry altogether, but rather that his wrath will reach its full and complete expression. He will fully vent his anger on the target of his judgment, and once the punishment is complete, his burning anger will cease because justice has been served. It implies a finite period of intense wrath. The "resting" is not necessarily peaceful, but a cessation because the goal (punishment) has been achieved.
"I, Yahweh, have spoken it.": This is a powerful declaration of divine authority and guarantees the certainty of the prophecy. When God says something, it will happen.
In Summary:
The verse portrays God's intense and active anger culminating in the execution of his judgment. The hand-striking emphasizes the decisiveness and severity of the action, while the "resting" of his wrath signifies the complete and thorough nature of the punishment. The final statement reinforces the absolute authority and reliability of the prophecy.
Context is Key:
It's crucial to remember that this verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel. The "sword" mentioned earlier in the chapter represents God's judgment, and the verse emphasizes the inevitability and severity of that judgment upon Jerusalem and its people because of their wickedness and rebellion against God.
Possible Interpretations:
Judgment as Exhaustion: Some see the "resting" of wrath as a form of divine exhaustion. God has taken no pleasure in punishing his people, but their unrepentant sin has forced him to act. Once the necessary judgment is complete, his wrath will cease.
Justice Served: The verse suggests that God's justice demands satisfaction. When the punishment is complete, justice will be served, and God's anger will subside.
A Warning to Future Generations: While focused on Jerusalem, the prophecy serves as a warning to all future generations. Disobedience and wickedness will inevitably bring divine judgment.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 21:17 is a powerful and sobering verse that reveals the depth of God's anger against sin and the certainty of his judgment. The striking of hands symbolizes his active and determined stance, while the "resting" of his wrath signifies the completeness of the punishment. The declaration of Yahweh underscores the divine authority and truthfulness of the prophecy.
Ezekiel 21:17 - I will also strike my hands together, and I will cause my wrath to rest. I, Yahweh, have spoken it.”
What does "Ezekiel 21:17" mean?
This verse from Ezekiel 21:17 is part of a longer prophecy concerning God's judgment on Jerusalem and the surrounding land. To understand it, let's break it down:
"I will also strike my hands together...": This is a gesture of intense anger, frustration, or determination. It's not just passive anger, but active anger, expressing the force with which God will execute his judgment. Think of it as God saying, "Enough is enough!"
"...and I will cause my wrath to rest.": This doesn't mean God will stop being angry altogether, but rather that his wrath will reach its full and complete expression. He will fully vent his anger on the target of his judgment, and once the punishment is complete, his burning anger will cease because justice has been served. It implies a finite period of intense wrath. The "resting" is not necessarily peaceful, but a cessation because the goal (punishment) has been achieved.
"I, Yahweh, have spoken it.": This is a powerful declaration of divine authority and guarantees the certainty of the prophecy. When God says something, it will happen.
In Summary:
The verse portrays God's intense and active anger culminating in the execution of his judgment. The hand-striking emphasizes the decisiveness and severity of the action, while the "resting" of his wrath signifies the complete and thorough nature of the punishment. The final statement reinforces the absolute authority and reliability of the prophecy.
Context is Key:
It's crucial to remember that this verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel. The "sword" mentioned earlier in the chapter represents God's judgment, and the verse emphasizes the inevitability and severity of that judgment upon Jerusalem and its people because of their wickedness and rebellion against God.
Possible Interpretations:
Judgment as Exhaustion: Some see the "resting" of wrath as a form of divine exhaustion. God has taken no pleasure in punishing his people, but their unrepentant sin has forced him to act. Once the necessary judgment is complete, his wrath will cease.
Justice Served: The verse suggests that God's justice demands satisfaction. When the punishment is complete, justice will be served, and God's anger will subside.
A Warning to Future Generations: While focused on Jerusalem, the prophecy serves as a warning to all future generations. Disobedience and wickedness will inevitably bring divine judgment.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 21:17 is a powerful and sobering verse that reveals the depth of God's anger against sin and the certainty of his judgment. The striking of hands symbolizes his active and determined stance, while the "resting" of his wrath signifies the completeness of the punishment. The declaration of Yahweh underscores the divine authority and truthfulness of the prophecy.