Ezekiel 21:27
A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The thrice-repeated "ruin" isn't just about destruction; it emphasizes a total, relentless demolition that will leave nothing stable behind. This state of chaos will persist, a sign that the current order is utterly finished, waiting only for the arrival of the true King who alone can establish lasting justice.
Ezekiel's prophecy is declaring an utter, irreversible destruction of Jerusalem and its kingly rule, emphasizing it with a threefold "overturn." This isn't just about one king's downfall, but the permanent end of David's line as rulers over Judah, paving the way for a future, rightful King. The absolute end of their earthly kingdom is promised, but this devastation is ultimately temporary until the true King arrives to establish His eternal reign.
Ezekiel declares, 'A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it.' Why the triple repetition? What does it tell us about God's judgment on Judah?
The threefold repetition of 'overturn' (or 'ruin') in Ezekiel 21:27 isn't just dramatic language; it emphasizes the absolute certainty and totality of God's judgment.
Finality of Judgment
The prophecy points to the complete dismantling of the Davidic kingdom and its established order. This wasn't a temporary setback but a fundamental, irreversible change that would bring the current system to an end.
Gradual but Inevitable
Some scholars suggest this repetition also hints at the successive waves of destruction and upheaval that Judah would face, from the Babylonian conquest to future oppressions. Each 'overturn' solidifies the coming devastation, leaving no doubt about its outcome.
After declaring utter ruin, the verse pivots to a promise: 'until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs.' Who is this promised King?
This verse doesn't end with destruction; it contains a profound promise of future restoration centered on a specific individual.
The End of an Era
The 'overturning' signifies the end of the earthly, Davidic monarchy as Judah knew it. The kings that followed Zedekiah were not seen as legitimate heirs to David's throne in the same way. The established political and religious order was fundamentally broken.
The True Heir
The verse points to a future King whose right to rule is divine and eternal. This figure, 'he to whom judgment belongs' (or 'whose right it is'), is understood by many interpreters, both ancient and modern, to be the Messiah. He is the one who will ultimately establish God's perfect kingdom and reign justly. The promise offers a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation, pointing beyond the immediate ruin to ultimate redemption.
Understand the original words
avvah · Hebrew Noun
The biblical concept of a devastating collapse or overthrow, often resulting from divine judgment upon human pride, rebellion, or sin. It implies a complete reversal of status or fortune.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
The act of evaluating, adjudicating, or bringing consequences for human actions. Ultimately, God is the supreme Judge to whom all authority and accountability belong.
This prophecy directly addresses the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Davidic monarchy, signifying a complete upheaval. It underscores that this ruin isn't the final word; it points to a future King whose rightful claim to the throne will bring ultimate restoration and establish an everlasting kingdom.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar invades Judah, exiling some of the nobility and King Jehoiakim. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation and the loss of sovereignty.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation (Jeconiah's Exile)
King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) and many more prominent citizens are exiled to Babylon. This event severely weakens the Davidic monarchy, with Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, placed on the throne.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians, and King Zedekiah is captured and blinded. The remaining population is exiled, effectively ending the Davidic dynasty's rule over Judah.
c. 586 BC
End of the Davidic Kingdom
With the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Zedekiah, the royal line of David is deposed. The pronouncement in Ezekiel 21:27 signifies the finality of this overthrow.
This passage directly connects to Ezekiel's prophecy, as the phrase 'he whose right it is' is widely understood as an allusion to the promise of a ruler from the line of Judah, often linked to the name 'Shiloh'.
Luke 1:32-33This New Testament passage echoes Ezekiel's prophecy by describing the eternal reign of Jesus, who is identified as the one who will inherit the throne of David and whose kingdom will have no end.
Daniel 7:14Similar to Ezekiel's promise of a rightful heir, Daniel's vision foretells a 'son of man' receiving dominion, glory, and an everlasting kingdom, highlighting the ultimate authority that will be established.
Zechariah 6:12-13This passage speaks of a 'Branch' who will build the temple of the Lord and rule as priest and king, bringing together the royal and priestly elements that were disrupted in Judah, as described in Ezekiel's prophecy.
gillEzekiel 21:27: "I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."
I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it,.... The crown and kingdom of Judah; which being expressed three times, has not respect, as Kimchi thinks, to the three generations, in which the crown ceased after the captivity, as those of Asir, Shealtiel, Pedaiah; and in the fourth generation was restored to Zerubbabel; for he was no king, nor was there any of Dav…
cambridgeEzekiel 21:27: "I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."
27 . and it shall be no more] Or, yea this—it shall not be (or, it is gone!). “This” does not refer to the condition introduced by the overturning, but goes back and resumes the present condition of things, which shall be overturned till he comes who hath the right, the Messiah. On verb, cf. Isaiah 15:6 ; Job 6:21 . until he come … give it him] Rather: and…
The thrice-repeated "ruin" isn't just about destruction; it emphasizes a total, relentless demolition that will leave nothing stable behind. This state of chaos will persist, a sign that the current order is utterly finished, waiting only for the arrival of the true King who alone can establish lasting justice.
Ezekiel's prophecy is declaring an utter, irreversible destruction of Jerusalem and its kingly rule, emphasizing it with a threefold "overturn." This isn't just about one king's downfall, but the permanent end of David's line as rulers over Judah, paving the way for a future, rightful King. The absolute end of their earthly kingdom is promised, but this devastation is ultimately temporary until the true King arrives to establish His eternal reign.
Ezekiel's prophecy is declaring an utter, irreversible destruction of Jerusalem and its kingly rule, emphasizing it with a threefold "overturn." This isn't just about one king's downfall, but the permanent end of David's line as rulers over Judah, paving the way for a future, rightful King. The absolute end of their earthly kingdom is promised, but this devastation is ultimately temporary until the true King arrives to establish His eternal reign.
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c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Completed
The returned exiles complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, though it lacks the splendor of Solomon's original Temple and the nation remains under foreign rule.
c. 1st Century BC - AD 1st Century
Messianic Expectation Grows
During periods of foreign occupation (Persian, Greek, Roman), the hope for a divinely appointed King from David's line intensifies, preparing the way for Jesus' arrival.
"A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him." — The thrice-repeated "ruin" isn't just about destruction; it emphasizes a total, relentless demolition that will leave nothing stable behind. This state of chaos will persist, a sign that the current…
