New International VersionFor the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver.
New Living TranslationThe king of Babylon now stands at the fork, uncertain whether to attack Jerusalem or Rabbah. He calls his magicians to look for omens. They cast lots by shaking arrows from the quiver. They inspect the livers of animal sacrifices.
English Standard VersionFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows; he consults the teraphim; he looks at the liver.
Berean Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.
King James BibleFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.
New King James VersionFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the road, at the fork of the two roads, to use divination: he shakes the arrows, he consults the images, he looks at the liver.
New American Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the household idols, he looks at the liver.
NASB 1995“For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the household idols, he looks at the liver.
NASB 1977“For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the household idols, he looks at the liver.
Legacy Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows; he asks the household idols; he looks at the liver.
Amplified BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork of the two ways, to use divination. He shakes the arrows, he consults the teraphim (household idols), he looks at the liver [of an animal for an omen].
Christian Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the split in the road, at the fork of the two roads, to practice divination: he shakes the arrows, consults the idols, and observes the liver.
Holman Christian Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the split in the road, at the fork of the two roads, to practice divination: he shakes the arrows, consults the idols, and observes the liver.
American Standard VersionFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shook the arrows to and fro, he consulted the teraphim, he looked in the liver.
Contemporary English VersionWhen the Babylonian king stands at that signpost, he will decide which way to go by shaking his arrows, by asking his idols, and by carefully looking at the liver of a sacrificed animal.
English Revised VersionFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shook the arrows to and fro, he consulted the teraphim, he looked in the liver.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe king of Babylon will stop where the roads branch off, where there is a fork in the road. Then he will look for omens. He will shake some arrows, ask his household gods for help, and examine animal livers.
Good News TranslationThe king of Babylonia stands by the signpost at the fork of the road. To discover which way to go, he shakes the arrows; he consults his idols; he examines the liver of a sacrificed animal.
International Standard Version"Meanwhile, Babylon's king is standing at the fork of the road, where he can head in either of two directions, and that's where he is practicing divination. Shaking his arrows, he's asking questions of his teraphim while he examines livers.
NET BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road at the head of the two routes. He looks for omens: He shakes arrows, he consults idols, he examines animal livers.
New Heart English BibleFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shook the arrows back and forth, he consulted the teraphim, he looked in the liver.
Webster's Bible TranslationFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.
World English BibleFor the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination. He shook the arrows back and forth. He consulted the teraphim. He looked in the liver. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor the king of Babylon has stood at the head of the way, "" At the top of the two ways, to use divination, "" He has moved lightly with the arrows, "" He has inquired of the teraphim, "" He has looked on the liver.
Young's Literal Translation For stood hath the king of Babylon at the head of the way, At the top of the two ways, to use divination, He hath moved lightly with the arrows, He hath asked at the teraphim, He hath looked on the liver.
Smith's Literal TranslationFor the king of Babel stood at the mother of the way in the head of the two ways, to divine a divination; he shook with the arrows, he asked in the family gods, he looked in the liver. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor the king of Babylon stood in the highway, at the head of two ways, seeking divination, shuffling arrows: he inquired of the idols, and consulted entrails.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor the king of Babylon stood at the fork, at the head of the two ways, seeking divination, shuffling arrows; he inquired of idols, and he consulted entrails.
New American BibleFor the king of Babylon is standing at the fork of the two roads to read the omens: he shakes out the arrows, inquires of the teraphim, inspects the liver.
New Revised Standard VersionFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the fork in the two roads, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the teraphim, he inspects the liver. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shoots an arrow, he inquires of his idol, he sees his triumph.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedBecause the King of Babel stands at the beginning of the road that divides the roads. To divine an oracle, he shoots an arrow and he inquires of the idol. He looks at his glory OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For the king of Babylon standeth at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shaketh the arrows to and fro, he inquireth of the teraphim, he looketh in the liver.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationFor the king of Babylon shall stand on the old way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination, to make bright the arrow, and to enquire of the graven images, and to examine the victims.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The LORD's Sword of Judgment… 20Mark out one road for the sword to come against Rabbah of the Ammonites, and another against Judah into fortified Jerusalem. 21Forthe kingof Babylonstandsatthe forkin the road,at the junctionof the tworoads,to seekan omen:He shakesthe arrows,he consultsthe idols,he examinesthe liver.22In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.…
Cross References Isaiah 44:25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,
Jeremiah 27:9But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’
Jeremiah 50:35-38A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. / A sword is against her false prophets, and they will become fools. A sword is against her warriors, and they will be filled with terror. / A sword is against her horses and chariots and against all the foreigners in her midst, and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasuries, and they will be plundered. ...
2 Kings 21:6He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.
1 Samuel 28:8So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”
2 Chronicles 33:6He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.
Daniel 2:27-28Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. / But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:
Acts 16:16-18One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
Isaiah 47:12-13So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.
Leviticus 19:26You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.
Numbers 23:23For there is no spell against Jacob and no divination against Israel. It will now be said of Jacob and Israel, ‘What great things God has done!’
1 Kings 22:6-12So the king of Israel assembled the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I refrain?” “Go up,” they replied, “and the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” / The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied. ...
Matthew 2:1-2After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Acts 8:9-11Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
Treasury of Scripture For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver. the king Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereofis of the LORD. Proverbs 21:1
The king's heartis in the hand of the LORD,as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. parting [heb] mother Numbers 23:28
And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of Peor, that looketh toward Jeshimon. Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found among youany one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,or that useth divination,or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellionis as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornnessis as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee frombeing king. he made. arrows. Genesis 31:19,30
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images thatwere her father's… Judges 17:5
And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest. Judges 13:14,18,20,24
She may not eat of anything that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any uncleanthing: all that I commanded her let her observe… Jump to Previous ArrowsArtsBabylonBeastsBrightCastConsultConsultedConsultsDeadDivinationExamineForkForthFroGodsHeadHouseholdIdolsImagesInnerInquirethLiverNoteOmenPartingPartsQuestionsRoadRoadsSecretSeekShakesShakethShakingShookStandethStandsStoodStopTeraphimTopUseWayWaysJump to Next ArrowsArtsBabylonBeastsBrightCastConsultConsultedConsultsDeadDivinationExamineForkForthFroGodsHeadHouseholdIdolsImagesInnerInquirethLiverNoteOmenPartingPartsQuestionsRoadRoadsSecretSeekShakesShakethShakingShookStandethStandsStoodStopTeraphimTopUseWayWaysEzekiel 21 1.Ezekiel prophesies against Jerusalem with a sign of sighing8.The sharp and bright sword18.against Jerusalem25.against the kingdom28.and against the AmmonitesFor the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the roadThis phrase sets the scene with the king of Babylon, likely Nebuchadnezzar, at a critical decision point. The "fork in the road" symbolizes a moment of choice, reflecting the historical context of Babylon's military campaigns. Babylon was a dominant power, and its king often faced strategic decisions regarding conquests. This imagery of a fork in the road is also metaphorical for decision-making in life, as seen in other biblical passages like Proverbs 3:5-6, which emphasizes seeking God's guidance. at the junction of the two roads
The "junction of the two roads" indicates a literal and figurative crossroads. Geographically, this could refer to the decision between attacking Jerusalem or another city, such as Rabbah of the Ammonites. Historically, Babylon's expansion required strategic military decisions, and this junction represents the moment of choosing a path that would impact the future of nations. This concept of a junction is echoed inJeremiah 6:16, where the people are urged to choose the ancient paths of righteousness. to seek an omen
In ancient Near Eastern culture, seeking omens was a common practice for making decisions. This reflects the historical reliance on divination to interpret the will of the gods. The king's actions here contrast with the biblical teaching of seeking God's guidance through prayer and His word, as seen in passages likeIsaiah 8:19-20, which warns against consulting mediums and spiritists. He shakes the arrows
Shaking arrows was a form of divination known as belomancy, where arrows were cast to determine a course of action. This practice highlights the reliance on pagan rituals rather than divine guidance. The use of arrows for divination is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, but it underscores the king's dependence on human methods rather than seeking the true God, contrasting with the biblical call to trust in God's sovereignty. he consults the idols
Consulting idols was a common practice in Babylonian religion, where images and statues were believed to hold divine power. This reflects the cultural and religious context of the time, where idolatry was prevalent. The Bible consistently condemns idol worship, as seen in passages likeExodus 20:3-5, emphasizing the futility of seeking guidance from lifeless images instead of the living God. he examines the liver
Examining the liver, known as hepatoscopy, was another form of divination practiced in ancient Mesopotamia. The liver of a sacrificed animal was inspected for signs believed to reveal the future. This practice underscores the king's reliance on pagan rituals. In contrast, the Bible teaches that true wisdom and guidance come from God, as seen inJames 1:5, which encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of BabylonThis refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the ruler of the Babylonian Empire, known for his conquests and the destruction of Jerusalem. 2. Fork in the RoadA literal and symbolic place where a decision must be made. It represents a point of choosing between different paths or actions. 3. Casting Lots with ArrowsAn ancient divination practice used to seek guidance or predict the future. It involved throwing marked arrows to determine a course of action. 4. Consulting IdolsRefers to seeking guidance from false gods or idols, a common practice in pagan religions of the time. 5. Examining the LiverA form of hepatoscopy, an ancient divination method where the liver of a sacrificed animal was examined for omens. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty vs. Human DivinationDespite human attempts to control or predict the future through divination, God’s will ultimately prevails. Trust in God’s sovereignty rather than human methods. The Futility of IdolatryConsulting idols or false gods is futile. True guidance and wisdom come from the Lord alone. Believers should seek God’s direction through prayer and Scripture. Decision-Making at Life’s CrossroadsLike the king of Babylon at the fork in the road, we face decisions that require discernment. Seek God’s wisdom and guidance in making choices. The Danger of Relying on Worldly WisdomThe practices of the king of Babylon highlight the danger of relying on worldly wisdom. Believers are called to seek God’s wisdom, which surpasses human understanding. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 21
Does the divination method described in Ezekiel 21:21 have any verified historical or archaeological basis in Babylonian practices?
What are teraphim?
In Genesis 31:19, what historical evidence supports the existence or importance of household gods (teraphim), and how does it reconcile with monotheism?
In Ezekiel 21:3-4, how can God threaten to destroy both the righteous and the wicked without contradicting other texts that portray Him as just?(21) To use divination.--Various particular forms of divination are mentioned just afterwards. This is a general term to include them all. Divination was always resorted to by the heathen on occasions of important questions. In this case, while Nebuchadnezzar thought in this way to determine his action, it was already fixed for him by a higher Power. Made his arrows bright.--Rather,shook his arrows.This was a mode of divination in use among the ancient Arabs, as well as in Mesopotamia, and something very similar is mentioned by Homer as practised among the ancient Greeks (II.,iii. 316). It continued to be used among the Arabs until the time of Mohammed, who strictly torbade it in the Koran (3:39, 5:4, 94). Several arrows, properly marked, were shaken together in a quiver or other vessel, and one drawn out. The mark upon the one drawn was supposed to indicate the will of the gods. It was thus simply one form of casting lots. Consulted with images.--The particular images here mentioned were "teraphim," small idols, which are often spoken of in Scripture as used in divination by the Israelites themselves, and common also among the heathen. (See1Samuel 15:23, where the word "idolatry" is in the original "teraphim.") Nothing is known of the way in which these were used in divination. Looked in the liver.--The inspection of the entrails of sacrificial victims, and especially of the liver, as a means of ascertaining the will of the gods, is familiar to every reader of classical literature. There is evidence that the same custom prevailed also in Babylonia. The king is represented as employing all these different kinds of divination to make sure of the proper path.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Forכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe kingמֶלֶךְ־(me·leḵ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Babylonבָּבֶ֜ל(bā·ḇel)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894:Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital citystandsעָמַ֨ד(‘ā·maḏ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsatאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe forkאֵ֣ם(’êm)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 517:A mother, )in the road,הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ(had·de·reḵ)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of actionat the junctionבְּרֹ֛אשׁ(bə·rōš)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The headof the twoשְׁנֵ֥י(šə·nê)Number - mdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)roads,הַדְּרָכִ֖ים(had·də·rā·ḵîm)Article | Noun - common plural
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of actionto seekלִקְסָם־(liq·sām-)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7080:To distribute, determine by lot, magical scroll, to divinean omen:קָ֑סֶם(qā·sem)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7081:A lot, divination, oracleHe shakesקִלְקַ֤ל(qil·qal)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7043:To be slight, swift or triflingthe arrows,בַּֽחִצִּים֙(ba·ḥiṣ·ṣîm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2671:A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spearhe consultsשָׁאַ֣ל(šā·’al)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592:To inquire, to request, to demandthe idols,בַּתְּרָפִ֔ים(bat·tə·rā·p̄îm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8655:(a kind of idol) perhaps household idolhe examinesרָאָ֖ה(rā·’āh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seethe liver.בַּכָּבֵֽד׃(bak·kā·ḇêḏ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3516:The liver
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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 21:21 For the king of Babylon stood at (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
