Definition: Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezekiel 21:4. It's a pretty intense and dramatic statement about God’s judgment. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to actively punish people who are considered “righteous” and “wicked.” He’s choosing to use a powerful, decisive weapon – his sword – to eliminate these groups from the world. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Seeing then…” : This indicates that something has been observed or noticed recently. It’s not just happening randomly; God is aware of this situation. “…that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked…” : This is the core of the verse. He's saying he’ll actively eliminate those who are considered morally good and right. "Righteous" means morally upright, and “wicked” means evil or wrong. “Therefore shall my sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north:” This is the key part – it’s a very strong command: “My sword” : This refers to God's power and judgment. It’s not just a random act; it’s a deliberate action by Him. “out of his sheath” : This is a metaphorical image. “Sheath” represents the evil or wickedness that he intends to eliminate. It suggests He’s revealing this evil, bringing it into the light. “against all flesh from the south to the north:” This means everyone – not just specific groups of people – will be targeted by God's sword. It's a wide-reaching judgment. “Flesh” refers to humanity – that is, humans. What’s happening? Ezekiel is saying that God intends to actively punish the entire world with His sword. He doesn't just let things happen; he's going to take decisive action to eliminate those who are considered evil and not righteous. It suggests a significant and potentially devastating period of judgment coming for humanity. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prediction of a future time of great suffering and destruction, but it’s also viewed as a statement of God's absolute justice and power. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on general biblical understanding and interpretation. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can help answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the entire chapter? Discuss different interpretations of the verse?