For there is a trial; and what if even the rod that contemneth shall be no more? saith the Lord Jehovah.

Because it is tried: and that when it shall overthrow the sceptre, and it shall not be, saith the Lord God.

For the trial is made; and what if even the contemning sceptre shall be no more? saith the Lord Jehovah.

Because it is a trier, And what if even the sceptre it is despising? It shall not be, an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.

Because it is a trial, and what if the sword scorn even the rod? it shall be no more, said the Lord GOD.

for it has been tested. And this one, when he will have overthrown the scepter, will not be, says the Lord God.

Or,
For it is put to the proof, and if it contemneth even the rod, What shall not be? saith the Lord
i. e., What horrors will not arise when the sword shall cut down without regard the ruling scepter of Judah!

Because it is a trial - This will be a trial of strength and skill between the Chaldeans and the Jews; and a trial of faith and patience to the righteous.
And what if the sword, (Nebuchadnezzar), contemn even the rod? - Overthrow Zedekiah? It will do so; for the regal government of Judea shall be no more. Or, it is tried; that it the sword. Nebuchadnezzar has already shown himself strong and skillful.

Because [it is] a trial, (l) and what if [the sword] despise even the rod? it shall be no [more], saith the Lord GOD.
(l) Ezekiel moved with compassion thus complains fearing the destruction of the kingdom which God had confirmed to David and his posterity by promise, which promise God performed although here it seemed to man's eye that it would utterly perish.

Because it is a trial,.... As all afflictions and calamities are, especially to the people of God they try their faith and patience, and every other grace; and also to wicked men, they try them, whether they will repent or not:
and what if the sword contemn even the rod? the sceptre: the king of Judah, and his family; not only come upon and cut off the people and the princes, but the royal family also; and even overturn the tribe of Judah, as the word also signifies; and subvert the government of it, of which the rod or sceptre is an ensign; this would be a sore trial indeed, and yet it is intimated that so it should be:
it shall be no more, saith the Lord God; the rod or sceptre shall be no more in one of David's line, of the tribe Judah, until the Messiah comes, Ezekiel 21:27. I should choose to render the words thus, "for it is a trial, but what?" (w) what an one is it? or for what is it? what will be the fruit, effect, and issue of it?
if also the sceptre despises; the king despises the trial, the affliction, the calamity, and is not brought to repentance by it:
it shall be no more, or "it shall not be" (x),
saith the Lord God; it, the sceptre, shall be taken away, and not restored to the house of David, until the Messiah comes.
(w) "quum fuit probatio quid tandem fuit?" Junius & Tremellius, Polanus. (x) , "non erit", V. L. "scilicet sceptrum", Mariana.

it is a trial--rather, "There is a trial" being made: the sword of the Lord will subject all to the ordeal. "What, then, if it contemn even the rod" (scepter of Judah)? Compare as to a similar scourge of unsparing trial, Job 9:23.
it shall be no more--the scepter, that is, the state, must necessarily then come to an end. Fulfilled in part at the overthrow of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, but fully at the time of "Shiloh's" (Messiah's) coming (Genesis 49:10), when Judea became a Roman province.

If - But if the king and kingdom of Judah despise this trial, both shall be destroyed and be no more.