What Does Ezekiel 21:19 Mean in the King James?

Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways, that the sword of the king of Babylon may come: both twain shall come forth out of one land: and choose thou a place, choose it at the head of the way to the city.

Ezekiel 21:19 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

One land opens into two tracks, and the sword’s destination is determined at the head of the road before it reaches the city.

THE MEANING

You stand where two roads open from one land, and either route can bring the king of Babylon’s sword to the city. The choice is set at the road’s head, while the sword is still on its way.

THE ROOT

דְּרָכִים

derakhim

GROWS FROM

דרך

d-r-k

To tread or step, making a track; as a noun, a way or course.

“ways” in this verse is derakhim. The road is a track made by movement, not an abstract line. Two distinct courses open from the same land, each carrying the sword toward a destination.

ALSO GROWS

dāraḵ: To tread, step, or march; also to bend or ready a bow.

דָּרַךְ

This verb makes the way a course formed by movement, giving the two roads the force of distinct trajectories.

midrāḵ: A trodden place or track.

מִדְרָךְ

This branch brings the path down to the ground beneath the feet: the route is something made and followed.

בְּרֹאשׁ

berosh

GROWS FROM

ראש

r-ʾ-sh

Head, top, beginning, or first point.

The head of the road is its beginning, the point where its direction is first fixed. The verse places the decision before the city is reached, at the opening of the route.

ALSO GROWS

rēʾshīt: Beginning or first part.

רֵאשִׁית

This branch makes clear that the road’s “head” is its beginning, where the route is set.

riʾshōn: First or former.

רִאשׁוֹן

This branch echoes the verse’s placement of the decision at the first point of the road.

THE PATTERN

A choice at the opening of a route carries its consequences toward a destination before arrival makes them visible.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Deuteronomy 30:19 · KJVTwo outcomes are set before you, and the choice between them shapes what follows.

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 14:12 · KJVA road can conceal its destination until its consequences come into view.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Matthew 7:13-14 · KJVThe way chosen at the entrance already carries a direction toward its end.

THE THREAD

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.

Ezekiel 21:21 · KJV

The next verse repeats ⁨דֶּרֶךְ⁩ (derek, way) and ⁨רֹאשׁ⁩ (rosh, head) as the king stands at the fork of the two roads. It shows the head of the road as the active point of decision, where the sword’s destination is selected.

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