Ezekiel 21

The “sword” works as a metaphor for Babylon, as the chapter later reveals.

This guess of a paraphrase comes from a thin and vague collection of Hebrew words. Scholars aren’t sure what to make of it. It seems to refer to firing a rejected scepter (possibly code for “king”).

The “clap” wasn’t likely an applause. Doesn’t fit the context. It was more likely an expression of anger or frustration, like slamming a hand on tabletop or a fist on a pulpit. If preachers still do that, consider politely telling them to stop. It wakes people unnecessarily. Don’t tell them that.

Rabbah was about a three-day march east of Jerusalem, across the Jordan River, near to what is now Amman, capital of Jordan.

This is the first of three divinations. This one comes from Arab culture. Consulting idols came from Israel’s influence, which they had picked up from locals they conquered. Consulting liver came from Babylonian culture. Checking arrows for clues to the future is called belomancy. The arrows could be marked with words, colors, or symbols. And the diviner would interpret the message based on the position and markings of the arrows after being dropped or shot. The diviner’s gut feelings could have been a factor, along with how recently and to what extent he satisfied his thirst with wine.

Diviners had baked clay models of animal livers. There were holes drilled into the model to indicate what a marking of a bump at this location in the liver meant. Some bumps were bad news. Some were good. Some apparently meant left or right, yes or no, and go to war or not. Clearly, King Nebuchadnezzar cleared that war bump weeks earlier.

More literally, he probably threw or drew “lots.” The “lots” may have been stones or animal bones marked in a way that produced random outcomes for “yes” or “no” answers. The idea is like throwing dice. It’s also a little like “heads” or “tails” from a coin toss.

Babylon is the presumed “sword” in the prophecy. While Ezekiel lived as an exiled captive in Babylon, the Babylonian army invaded Judah and destroyed the cities, including Jerusalem. A generation later, Persians from what is now Iran swallowed Babylon for lunch and then told the Jewish and other political captives to go home.