"So then, son of man, prophesy and strike (smite, KJV) your hands together." Ezekiel 21:14

Several different emotions seem to have been represented by the act of striking one's hands together.


As a sign of contempt- Job said of the wicked rich man, "it claps its hands in derision and hisses him out of his place."

Jeremiah pictures Jerusalem as being so desolate that all those passing by her clap their hands at her (Jer.2:15)


As a sign of anger or judgment- When Balaam blessed Israel instead of cursing them, "Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together." (Num.24:10)

When the Lord saw the wickedness of Israel, his anger and judgment are expressed in these words: "I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst." (Eze.22:13)

As a sign of sorrow- The Lord commanded Ezekiel to strike his hands together in sorrow for the idolatry of Israel (Eze.6:11)

As a sign of triumph- In this manner the Ammonites rejoiced over the fallen Israelites. The Lord said: You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel" (Eze.25:6).

In this verse, clapping the hands is associated with stamping the feet, as it was in the previous verse.