Ezekiel 21:13

13 “ ‘Testing will surely come. And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue? declares the Sovereign LORD.’

Ezekiel 21:13 in Other Translations

13 Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more, saith the Lord GOD.

13 For it will not be a testing--what could it do if you despise the rod?" declares the Lord GOD.

13 It will put them all to the test. What chance do they have? says the Sovereign LORD .

13 "'Testing comes. Why have you despised discipline? You can't get around it. Decree of God, the Master.'

13 Surely it will be a trial! And what if the sword despises even the scepter? The scepter will not continue. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the declaration of the Lord God .

Ezekiel 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 21:13

Because it is a trial
As all afflictions and calamities are, especially to the people of God they try their faith and patience, and every other grace; and also to wicked men, they try them, whether they will repent or not: and what if the sword contemn even the rod?
the sceptre: the king of Judah, and his family; not only come upon and cut off the people and the princes, but the royal family also; and even overturn the tribe of Judah, as the word also signifies; and subvert the government of it, of which the rod or sceptre is an ensign; this would be a sore trial indeed, and yet it is intimated that so it should be: it shall be no more, saith the Lord God;
the rod or sceptre shall be no more in one of David's line, of the tribe Judah, until the Messiah comes, ( Ezekiel 21:27 ) . I should choose to render the words thus, "for it is a trial, but what?" ^F23 what an one is it? or for what is it? what will be the fruit, effect, and issue of it? if also the sceptre despises;
the king despises the trial, the affliction, the calamity, and is not brought to repentance by it: it shall be no more,
or "it shall not be" ^F24, saith the Lord God;
it, the sceptre, shall be taken away, and not restored to the house of David, until the Messiah comes.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (hmw Nxb yk) "quum fuit probatio quid tandem fuit?" Junius & Tremellius, Polanus.
F24 (hyhy al) , "non erit", V. L. "scilicet sceptrum", Mariana.

Ezekiel 21:13 In-Context

11 “ ‘The sword is appointed to be polished, to be grasped with the hand; it is sharpened and polished, made ready for the hand of the slayer.

12 Cry out and wail, son of man, for it is against my people; it is against all the princes of Israel. They are thrown to the sword along with my people. Therefore beat your breast.

13 “ ‘Testing will surely come. And what if even the scepter, which the sword despises, does not continue? declares the Sovereign LORD.’

14 “So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times. It is a sword for slaughter— a sword for great slaughter, closing in on them from every side.

15 So that hearts may melt with fear and the fallen be many, I have stationed the sword for slaughterat all their gates. Look! It is forged to strike like lightning, it is grasped for slaughter.