WHY DOES “OVERTURN” APPEAR THRICE IN EZEKIEL 21:27?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Ezekiel 21:27 says, “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.” Why does “overturn” appear three specific times? Is it for emphasis, or perhaps some other reason? And, what is the “it” that is being “overturned?” We will study the Bible for answers.

Let us look at the verse in context. The Prophet Ezekiel wrote in Ezekiel 21:25-27: “[25] And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, [26] Thus saith the LORD God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. [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.”

JEHOVAH God was upset with the Jewish king reigning at the time of Ezekiel 21:25. He called that king “a profane wicked prince of Israel.” God promised to judge the nation of Judah (southern Israel) and put an end to that evil. He would accomplish this by removing the diadem and the crown from that king and his descendants. Verse 26 again: “Thus saith the LORD God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.” By the way, “diadem” is an archaic term meaning “the authority or dignity symbolized by a crown.”

Now, we move to verse 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.” In light of verse 26, the “it” is the royal power, or political might, of Israel. Israel will fall politically, losing her special governmental authority in the Earth. The Gentiles, or non-Jewish nations, will enter the Promised Land, take Israel captive, and sorely oppress her. She will no longer be the head of the nations; she will now be downtrodden of the nations.

Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem while King Jehoiakim was on the throne (2 Kings 24:1-9)—approximately 606 B.C. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim’s son, was ruling over Judah when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem again (2 Kings 24:10-20)—circa 597 B.C. When Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem the third and final time, about 586 B.C., Zedekiah was King of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1ff.). This fits nicely with Ezekiel 21:27: the first “overturn” (or abolishment) of Israel’s political might was Jehoiakim’s deposal, the second “overturn” was Jehoiachin’s deposal, and the third “overturn” was Zedekiah’s deposal. During those three sieges, Nebuchadnezzar removed from power three Jewish kings, three descendants of King David, taking away, or “overturning,” Israel’s political strength. Israel’s political fall was gradual, spanning approximately 20 years.

HOPE FOR ISRAEL’S DIADEM AND CROWN

Friend, we dare not end this study on a sad note because the Bible does not end on a sad note, either. In the midst of such severe judgment, Israel’s mighty political fall, JEHOVAH God provided her with a hope. Her political fall, as terrible and devastating as it was, would be only temporary. Reading Ezekiel 21:25-27 again, see if you can spot God’s promise of restoration: “[25] And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, [26] Thus saith the LORD God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. [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.”

Notice the last clause of verse 27: “and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.” During that fifth and final course of judgment (Leviticus chapter 26), already operating in Ezekiel’s day, God would take the crown from Israel’s king. That Davidic throne will never be returned to Israel “until”—notice a schedule is already set—it is given to the Man “whose right it is.” Who is this Man, the Person who is the rightful head of Israel’s government? Why, the “New Testament” Scriptures scream His name—the Lord Jesus Christ! In due time, He will sit on that throne!

For example, Luke chapter 1: “[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Also, Acts chapter 2: “[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.”

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Also see:
» What is the difference between “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven?”
» Did the 12 preach the Gospel of the Kingdom after Christ ascended?
» Could you explain, “I will give you the sure mercies of David?”