"What Does It Mean...?" -- Ezekiel 21:25-27 ("Legal Right")
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:32 pm
THE "LEGAL RIGHT" -- Ezekiel 21:25-27
The following information is an excerpt taken from the publication called: The "Report" Volume I pages 104-107, published and released in 1994.
A strong proof asserted by the Watch Tower Society that Jesus actually succeeded wicked King Zedekiah as ruler upon the royal throne of Judah is supposedly presented in the use of the scripture at Ezekiel 21:25-27. We read:
"And as for you, O deadly wounded, wicked chieftain of Israel, whose day has come in the time of the error of [the] end, this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, `Remove the turban, and lift off the crown. This will not be the same. Put on high even what is low, and bring low even the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I shall make it. As for this also, it will certainly become no [one's] until he comes who has the LEGAL RIGHT, and I must give [it] to him.'"
A close examination of this text reveals some startling information. Let us examine it together.
First, there is strong reason to believe that the expression "wicked chieftain" refers to a priest, the High Priest Seraiah who was killed by Nebuchadnezzar and not wicked King Zedekiah. (See 2 Kings 25:18-21.) In the Bible, the designation "chieftain" can refer to the "chief priest" or High Priest. (See Ezekiel 45:16, 17; also 2 Chronicles 36:14.) Also, this would further explain why Jehovah stated to "lift off the turban." The Hebrew word translated "turban" is mitsnepheth which refers specifically to the headgear of the High Priest. According to the Hebrew Lexicon Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament [TWOT] this comment is made concerning mitsnepheth:
"The term occurs twelve times, eleven in Ex and Lev and once in Ezk [namely Ezekiel 21] . . . It was the distinctive headgear of the high priest." (TWOT Volume 2, pg. 771)
The fact that Hebrew scholars limit the application of this word to the headgear of HIGH PRIESTS ONLY in Ezekiel 21, seriously damages the credibility and integrity of the Watch Tower Society as Bible scholars, teachers and custodian's of God's Word. (2 Timothy 2:15) Really, is this the kind of scholarship we would expect from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" spoken of by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 who would give his sheep "food" in "due season." Is it??? And further, the fact that the eleven other occurrences of the Hebrew word translated "turban" [mitsnepheth] are ALL solely used in connection with the priesthood and never in reference to a king or to royalty proves, without a doubt, that this `wicked chieftain' is none other than Seraiah the chief priest.
Another important point conveniently overlooked by the Society are the words "deadly wounded chieftain." (vs. 25) The New American Standard translation of the Bible renders it "O slain, wicked one." Again, according to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament [TWOT] this Hebrew word h_l_l translated as `deadly wounded' is derived from a root (h_lal) meaning, "wounded (fatally), bore through, pierce." The definition from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament for the Hebrew word translated as `deadly wounded' (halal) is simply "slain, fatally wounded." TWOT further indicates that the wounds described by the word halal end `in death.' (TWOT Volume 1, pg. 288) Therefore according to the Bible's use of this term the `wicked chieftain' of Ezekiel 21:25 is fatally wounded or slain.
Thus, we have an important clue indicating the identity of this particular chieftain, one who was put to death. Then, could this expression `deadly wounded, wicked chieftain' be a reference to King Zedekiah? Hardly, since he was not put to death or `wounded fatally.' Jeremiah tells us that Zedekiah was taken to Babylon and put, "in the house of custody till the day of his death." (Jeremiah 52:11) This expression "deadly wounded, wicked chieftain" would be a more fitting description of Seraiah, the `chief priest,' for he was indeed put to death, fatally wounded by the King of Babylon at Riblah following the destruction of Jerusalem. — See Jeremiah 52:24-27.
And what about the expression "crown" mentioned in the verse?
According to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament the Hebrew expression atarah translated as `crown' is a "general term for crown, and should be distinguished from nezer, the royal and priestly crown. Atara can designate the crown of the queen (Jer. 13:18), the nobility (Est. 8:15) or the bridegroom (Song 3:11) . . . By far the most significant use of the word is the figurative. It is used metaphorically to show honor and authority. This is seen particularly in Proverbs where grey hair (16:31), grandchildren (17:6), good wife (12:4), and wisdom (4:9; 14:24) are considered a crown [atarah]." — Volume 2, pg. 1608. Therefore this word in itself does not refer to the regal crown that the King would wear. It is however, used in a figurative sense to refer to the "crown" [headpiece or adornment] worn by High Priest Joshua and later placed in the rebuilt temple during Governor Zerrubabel's day. — Zechariah 6:12
The expression "a ruin, a ruin, a ruin" as referred to in the footnote of the New World Translation Reference Bible means a "distortion" or a "twisting." This "twisting" is made by Jehovah himself as a recompense for the "wicked chieftain's" ungodly actions. As stated earlier, this "wicked chieftain" Seraiah was brought "low" in death by Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 25:18-21) Jehozadak, (Seraiah's successor) and underpriests continued in a "low" state while under subjection to the Babylonian Empire. (1 Chronicles 6:15) Later, High Priest Joshua (the son of Jehozadak), the one who was "low and put on high" was placed
in the responsible and elevated position of leading the nation in a period of restoration of pure worship in the repatriated land of Israel.
Also the expression "legal right" is a disturbing rendering by the New World Translation Committee. The Hebrew word mishpat translated "legal right" literally means: "a verdict pronounced judicially especially of a sentence or a formal decree." (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, ref. #4941 Heb.) Also, according to Gesenius Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon it states:
"right, that which is just, lawful, according to law."
Thus, the word means in a judicial setting one who has been proved in the "right" by Jehovah and thereby handed down a favorable "verdict" or declaration of "right" by Jehovah. Therefore, there is no connection between the expression "legal right" and the supposed rightful claim or heirship to the throne or kingship of David as purported by the Jehovah's Witnesses. But rather it deals with past injustices associated with the Priesthood prior to Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon.
bejay
The following information is an excerpt taken from the publication called: The "Report" Volume I pages 104-107, published and released in 1994.
A strong proof asserted by the Watch Tower Society that Jesus actually succeeded wicked King Zedekiah as ruler upon the royal throne of Judah is supposedly presented in the use of the scripture at Ezekiel 21:25-27. We read:
"And as for you, O deadly wounded, wicked chieftain of Israel, whose day has come in the time of the error of [the] end, this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, `Remove the turban, and lift off the crown. This will not be the same. Put on high even what is low, and bring low even the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I shall make it. As for this also, it will certainly become no [one's] until he comes who has the LEGAL RIGHT, and I must give [it] to him.'"
A close examination of this text reveals some startling information. Let us examine it together.
First, there is strong reason to believe that the expression "wicked chieftain" refers to a priest, the High Priest Seraiah who was killed by Nebuchadnezzar and not wicked King Zedekiah. (See 2 Kings 25:18-21.) In the Bible, the designation "chieftain" can refer to the "chief priest" or High Priest. (See Ezekiel 45:16, 17; also 2 Chronicles 36:14.) Also, this would further explain why Jehovah stated to "lift off the turban." The Hebrew word translated "turban" is mitsnepheth which refers specifically to the headgear of the High Priest. According to the Hebrew Lexicon Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament [TWOT] this comment is made concerning mitsnepheth:
"The term occurs twelve times, eleven in Ex and Lev and once in Ezk [namely Ezekiel 21] . . . It was the distinctive headgear of the high priest." (TWOT Volume 2, pg. 771)
The fact that Hebrew scholars limit the application of this word to the headgear of HIGH PRIESTS ONLY in Ezekiel 21, seriously damages the credibility and integrity of the Watch Tower Society as Bible scholars, teachers and custodian's of God's Word. (2 Timothy 2:15) Really, is this the kind of scholarship we would expect from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" spoken of by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24 who would give his sheep "food" in "due season." Is it??? And further, the fact that the eleven other occurrences of the Hebrew word translated "turban" [mitsnepheth] are ALL solely used in connection with the priesthood and never in reference to a king or to royalty proves, without a doubt, that this `wicked chieftain' is none other than Seraiah the chief priest.
Another important point conveniently overlooked by the Society are the words "deadly wounded chieftain." (vs. 25) The New American Standard translation of the Bible renders it "O slain, wicked one." Again, according to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament [TWOT] this Hebrew word h_l_l translated as `deadly wounded' is derived from a root (h_lal) meaning, "wounded (fatally), bore through, pierce." The definition from the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament for the Hebrew word translated as `deadly wounded' (halal) is simply "slain, fatally wounded." TWOT further indicates that the wounds described by the word halal end `in death.' (TWOT Volume 1, pg. 288) Therefore according to the Bible's use of this term the `wicked chieftain' of Ezekiel 21:25 is fatally wounded or slain.
Thus, we have an important clue indicating the identity of this particular chieftain, one who was put to death. Then, could this expression `deadly wounded, wicked chieftain' be a reference to King Zedekiah? Hardly, since he was not put to death or `wounded fatally.' Jeremiah tells us that Zedekiah was taken to Babylon and put, "in the house of custody till the day of his death." (Jeremiah 52:11) This expression "deadly wounded, wicked chieftain" would be a more fitting description of Seraiah, the `chief priest,' for he was indeed put to death, fatally wounded by the King of Babylon at Riblah following the destruction of Jerusalem. — See Jeremiah 52:24-27.
And what about the expression "crown" mentioned in the verse?
According to Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament the Hebrew expression atarah translated as `crown' is a "general term for crown, and should be distinguished from nezer, the royal and priestly crown. Atara can designate the crown of the queen (Jer. 13:18), the nobility (Est. 8:15) or the bridegroom (Song 3:11) . . . By far the most significant use of the word is the figurative. It is used metaphorically to show honor and authority. This is seen particularly in Proverbs where grey hair (16:31), grandchildren (17:6), good wife (12:4), and wisdom (4:9; 14:24) are considered a crown [atarah]." — Volume 2, pg. 1608. Therefore this word in itself does not refer to the regal crown that the King would wear. It is however, used in a figurative sense to refer to the "crown" [headpiece or adornment] worn by High Priest Joshua and later placed in the rebuilt temple during Governor Zerrubabel's day. — Zechariah 6:12
The expression "a ruin, a ruin, a ruin" as referred to in the footnote of the New World Translation Reference Bible means a "distortion" or a "twisting." This "twisting" is made by Jehovah himself as a recompense for the "wicked chieftain's" ungodly actions. As stated earlier, this "wicked chieftain" Seraiah was brought "low" in death by Nebuchadnezzar. (2 Kings 25:18-21) Jehozadak, (Seraiah's successor) and underpriests continued in a "low" state while under subjection to the Babylonian Empire. (1 Chronicles 6:15) Later, High Priest Joshua (the son of Jehozadak), the one who was "low and put on high" was placed
in the responsible and elevated position of leading the nation in a period of restoration of pure worship in the repatriated land of Israel.
Also the expression "legal right" is a disturbing rendering by the New World Translation Committee. The Hebrew word mishpat translated "legal right" literally means: "a verdict pronounced judicially especially of a sentence or a formal decree." (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, ref. #4941 Heb.) Also, according to Gesenius Hebrew Chaldee Lexicon it states:
"right, that which is just, lawful, according to law."
Thus, the word means in a judicial setting one who has been proved in the "right" by Jehovah and thereby handed down a favorable "verdict" or declaration of "right" by Jehovah. Therefore, there is no connection between the expression "legal right" and the supposed rightful claim or heirship to the throne or kingship of David as purported by the Jehovah's Witnesses. But rather it deals with past injustices associated with the Priesthood prior to Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon.
bejay