Ezekiel was to clap his hands together as he continued to prophesy symbolizing his approval of God"s will (cf. Ezekiel 6:11; Ezekiel 22:13; Ezekiel 25:6; Numbers 24:10; 2 Kings 11:12; Job 27:23; Psalm 47:1; Isaiah 55:12). But he was also to announce the awfulness of the coming sword-like judgment. [source][source][source]
Some translators interpreted the description of the invasion as coming three times and doing double damage the third time (e.g. NKJV). This may be a reference to Nebuchadnezzar"s three invasions of Jerusalem in605 , 597 , and586 B.C, the last invasion being twice as bad as the other two. [1] Another preferable translation is that the sword would strike twice or even three times (e.g. NIV). This suggests that the invasion would come fast from several different angles, that the sword would double or triple itself in its influence. [2] The invasion would be unusually devastating. Living in an age of special visual effects in which images transform themselves, it is not difficult for us to visualize this sword multiplying and swashbuckling its way through Jerusalem. Even the great among the people would not escape. This may refer to the great one, King Zedekiah, or to the great ones, the leading men of Judah. The invaders would surround everyone. [source][source][source]