Ezekiel 32 20

Ezekiel 32:20 kjv

They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes.

Ezekiel 32:20 nkjv

"They shall fall in the midst of those slain by the sword; She is delivered to the sword, Drawing her and all her multitudes.

Ezekiel 32:20 niv

They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged off with all her hordes.

Ezekiel 32:20 esv

They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes.

Ezekiel 32:20 nlt

The Egyptians will fall with the many who have died by the sword, for the sword is drawn against them. Egypt and its hordes will be dragged away to their judgment.

Ezekiel 32 verses

Ezekiel 32 20 Meaning

This verse describes the final, dismal state of Egypt. They are brought down to the "sides of the pit," signifying absolute destruction and descent into the realm of the dead, alongside those who have gone down to the grave before them. It emphasizes their complete removal from the land of the living, even from the memorial stone locations where heroes were once honored. Their fate is one of perpetual desolation.

Ezekiel 32 20 Context

Ezekiel 32 is a powerful oracle of judgment against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh is depicted as a fierce, proud dragon whose power has led him to great self-deception. This chapter places Egypt in a historical context of national pride and impending military defeat. The reference to Egypt as a dragon likely alludes to Psalm 74:14 where God is described as crushing the heads of the "sea monsters" (Hebrew: tannin) and giving Egypt as food to the creatures of the wilderness. Throughout the Old Testament, Egypt often represents a nation that opposes God and his people, relying on its own might rather than divine power. Pharaoh's boasts and perceived strength are presented as the foundation of his eventual downfall, echoing a common prophetic theme of the humbling of arrogant rulers.

Ezekiel 32 20 Word analysis

• "They shall go down":
  • "They" (hem - Strong's H1931): Refers to Pharaoh and his multitude, the army of Egypt.
  • "shall go down" (yeredu - Strong's H3381, yarah, hiphil imperfect): The verb implies descent, a going down. In the hiphil stem, it indicates causing to go down or being brought down, emphasizing an active force causing their descent, which is divine judgment.
• "to the pit":
  • "the pit" (shachath - Strong's H7845, a place of ruin, destruction, corruption, the grave). It denotes a state of utter destruction and burial.
• "with them that go down into the pit":
  • "with them" (im-hem - Strong's H5921, H1931): "With them," signifying companionship in this descent.
  • "that go down" (yeredu - Strong's H3381): Those who are going down.
  • "into the pit" (l'shachath - Strong's H7845): Again, to the place of destruction. This implies they join the masses of the damned and defeated.
• "the grave":
  • "the grave" (bor - Strong's H1271): This word often refers to a well or cistern, but contextually in the context of Sheol, it signifies a pit, a grave, a place of the dead, distinct from shachath which emphasizes ruin itself.
• "the ancient ones of the earth":
  • "the ancient ones" (ruwc-qim - Strong's H7322, plural of ruwac, fierce, strong, from root meaning to be strong or fierce): Refers to the mighty, the ancient powers and kings of the past, the great and renowned figures who are now in the realm of the dead.
  • "of the earth" (ha'arac - Strong's H776): Of the land or earth. The most powerful and distinguished of earthly rulers and men of antiquity.
• "with the ancient ones":
  • "with" (im - Strong's H5921): Again, associating them with the former great.
  • "the ancient ones" (ruwc-qim - Strong's H7322).
• "of the ancient times":
  • "of the ancient times" (yəmiynîym - Strong's H3117, days, ancient times): Indicates the generations and epochs of antiquity. This phrase, connected with the previous "ancient ones," reinforces the idea that Pharaoh is relegated to the lowest ranks of the departed, not even in honored memorial places.
• "and they shall be laid":
  • "and they shall be laid" (venitpachu - Strong's H5413, from nata, to set, fixed, planted; passive participle): To be laid down or fixed. This signifies they are permanently deposited or set into the regions below.
• "in the nether parts of the pit":
  • "in the nether parts" (tachtiyt - Strong's H8466, bottom, lower parts): The lowest depths, the absolute bottom.
  • "of the pit" (l'shachath - Strong's H7845): The pit of destruction.
• "which are desolate from ancient times":
  • "which are desolate" (shomemah - Strong's H8077, from shamam, to be devastated, laid waste, astonished, astonished to ruin). A state of extreme emptiness and desolation.
  • "from ancient times" (miyyamiyn - Strong's H3117, from days). Implies an eternal or ancient desolation, suggesting a place not meant for life or honor.
• "with thee in the new chambers":
  • "with thee" (eth - Strong's H854): With Pharaoh.
  • "in the new chambers" (bichdayyəqey - Strong's H3492, possibly related to a pit, cavity, or enclosed space; contextually suggests distinct, possibly distinctively dreadful, sections within the pit or Sheol. Some interpretations suggest memorial chambers of honored dead, contrasting with this degradation). The idea is that even the reserved or lower compartments are not for him.
• "and with her multitude":
  • "and with her multitude" (wəeth-monaha - Strong's H4104, crowd, multitude, army): Along with his entire army, who will share his fate.
• "round about his graves":
  • "round about" (cabayv - Strong's H5439, about, around).
  • "his graves" (qaburayv - Strong's H6913, plural of qeber, a grave, tomb; likely a metonymy for the people buried there or the place of burial). Even the places associated with his burial or his dead are surrounded by this ancient desolation. The Egyptian dead are laid not in places of honor, but in the desolate, the "new chambers" which are still part of the great pit.

Ezekiel 32 20 Bonus Section

The imagery of being "laid in the nether parts of the pit" signifies not only death but absolute shame and oblivion. The "new chambers" are interpreted by some scholars as referring to reserved, possibly even dishonorable, sections within the underworld, distinguishing them from honored graves of heroes. For Egypt, who prided themselves on their elaborate burial rites and enduring monuments, this fate is particularly degrading—their memory, and the memory of their king, will be consigned to desolate, forsaken places, stripped of any honor or perpetuation. The "dragon" metaphor applied to Pharaoh underscores his destructive nature and opposition to God's purposes, making his eventual downfall a victory for divine order over chaotic pride.

Ezekiel 32 20 Commentary

The verse paints a grim picture of Egypt's ultimate destiny under divine judgment. Pharaoh, who prided himself on his power, will be dragged down into the deepest regions of the underworld. He will not join the distinguished dead who have special places reserved for them; instead, he will be cast into the pit of destruction, a place of utter ruin. This descent is not a natural dying but a forced plunge, emphasized by the active role of divine judgment. He is placed with the "ancient ones of the earth," not to associate with honorable ancestors, but to share their same fate of being buried in desolate, forgotten places, alongside his entire multitude. This highlights the finality and totality of the judgment, ensuring that the proud kingdom of Egypt will be utterly brought to nothing and will receive no honorable remembrance. It's a stark warning against placing ultimate trust in earthly power and might.