Ezekiel 33:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A refugee from Jerusalem arrives with news that the city has been destroyed.
The Context of Ezekiel 33:21
A refugee reports that Jerusalem has been destroyed.
What Does Ezekiel 33:21 Mean?
The scene shifts from parable to history. In the twelfth year of Babylonian captivity, a fugitive reaches Ezekiel with word that Jerusalem has fallen. This is fulfillment of the judgment Ezekiel had been prophesying. The date places this long after Ezekiel's call (first year of captivity, Ezekiel 1).
The arrival of the fugitive is historically significant. It confirms Ezekiel's prophecies of judgment were accurate. It also marks a turning point in Ezekiel's ministry from warning of judgment to comfort and restoration.
Ezekiel 33:21 in the Original Language
נִכָּה (nikah), 'is smitten' — struck, defeated, brought low in warfare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 33:21
What does Ezekiel 33:21 mean?
A refugee from Jerusalem arrives with news that the city has been destroyed.
What is the context of Ezekiel 33:21?
A refugee reports that Jerusalem has been destroyed.