Ezekiel 38:11 kjv
And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
Ezekiel 38:11 nkjv
You will say, 'I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates'?
Ezekiel 38:11 niv
You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people?all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.
Ezekiel 38:11 esv
and say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,'
Ezekiel 38:11 nlt
You will say, 'Israel is an unprotected land filled with unwalled villages! I will march against her and destroy these people who live in such confidence!
Ezekiel 38 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 38:8 | "After many days you will be mustered; in the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants were gathered from many peoples against the mountains of Israel..." | Historical Context of Restoration |
| Ezekiel 38:12 | "...to take a spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the ruins that are now inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, dwelling at the center of the earth." | Motivation for Invasion |
| Ezekiel 39:2 | "and I will turn you about and drive you forward, bringing you up from the north parts, and I will bring you against the mountains of Israel." | Direction of the Attack |
| Jeremiah 30:10 | "Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you. For I will make a full end of all the nations among which I have driven you, but I will not make a full end of you. I will chasten you in measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”" | Promise of Restoration despite chastisement |
| Jeremiah 31:7 | "For thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise a shout for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel!’”" | Zion's future joy |
| Isaiah 11:12 | "He will lift up a banner for the nations, and will gather the outcasts of Israel, and will collect the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." | Gathering of Exiles |
| Isaiah 60:3 | "And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." | Nations drawn to Israel's restoration |
| Zechariah 2:8 | "For thus says the Lord of hosts, after his glory has sent me concerning the nations who looted you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye." | Divine protection of Israel |
| Matthew 24:16 | "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." | Signs of the End Times |
| Luke 21:24 | "and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”" | Gentile dominance and its end |
| Acts 1:6 | "So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”" | Expectation of restoration |
| Romans 11:25 | "For I do not want you, brothers, to be ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own conceit, that a hardening in part has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." | Inclusion of Gentiles and Israel's future |
| Revelation 20:7 | "And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison" | Satan's final rebellion |
| Genesis 12:3 | "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." | Covenant with Abraham |
| Deuteronomy 30:3 | "then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you." | Restoration promises |
| Psalm 102:13 | "You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is the time to favor her; indeed, the appointed time has come." | Time of favor for Zion |
| Jeremiah 23:5 | "“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." | The coming Davidic King |
| Amos 9:11 | "“In that day I will raise up the tent of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old;" | Restoration of David's fallen tent |
| Acts 15:16 | "After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David that is fallen. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up," | Quotation from Amos in NT |
| Romans 11:26 | "and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;" | Israel's future salvation |
Ezekiel 38 verses
Ezekiel 38 11 Meaning
This verse describes a specific point in the future when a coalition of nations, led by Gog from the land of Magog, will invade the land of Israel. The primary characteristic of this invasion is that it will be unhindered and unopposed by any existing defense forces within Israel. The land is portrayed as being vulnerable and exposed because its people will have returned from the nations after a long dispersion. This signifies a time of perceived weakness and defenselessness in the eyes of the invaders.
Ezekiel 38 11 Context
Ezekiel 38 describes a future event involving an invasion of Israel by a coalition led by Gog from Magog. This invasion is set against the backdrop of Israel's restoration and ingathering after a period of dispersion among the nations. The chapter and the preceding one emphasize God’s ultimate sovereignty and protective power over His people, even when they appear vulnerable. The invasion described is not a spontaneous attack but a meticulously planned military operation by a powerful confederation. The timing is crucial: it occurs "in the latter years" and "after many days," signifying a period of settled peace for Israel. The vulnerability described in verse 11 arises from Israel's successful restoration, not from ongoing exile.
Ezekiel 38 11 Word Analysis
- וְאָמַרְתָּ (ve'amarta) - "And you will say." This introduces a statement of appraisal or observation regarding the security of the land.
- בִּימֵי (bimey) - "in the days." Refers to a specific time period.
- שַׁלְוָה (shalvah) - "peace," "tranquility," "security." The land is perceived to be at ease, unguarded. This word carries a strong sense of rest and well-being.
- יוֹשְׁבָה (yoshvah) - "dwelling," "inhabiting." Refers to the inhabitants of the land.
- חֹצִים (chotzim) - "unwalled," "without walls," "undefended." This is a crucial term suggesting a lack of fortifications or defensive structures. It implies the land and its people are exposed and seemingly defenseless.
- אֵין (ein) - "there is not," "without." Emphasizes the absence of defenses.
- לָהּ (lah) - "to her," "for her." Possessive, referring back to the land.
- מְצוּדוֹת (metzudot) - "fortresses," "strongholds," "defenses." Refers to man-made fortifications designed for protection. The absence of these signifies a state of extreme vulnerability.
- וּבְרִיחִים (uvrichim) - "and bars." Implies gates or entries without secure locking mechanisms. This reinforces the idea of openness and lack of security.
- אֵין (ein) - "there is not," "without." Repeats the concept of absence.
- לָהֶם (lahem) - "to them," "for them." Possessive, referring to the inhabitants.
Group of Words Analysis:
- "bimey shalvah" (in the days of peace/security): This phrase is key to understanding the timing of the attack. It indicates a period when Israel feels secure and is not anticipating conflict, making them susceptible to invasion. It’s a period of deceptive peace from the perspective of the invading nations.
- "yoshvah chotzim" (dwelling unwalled): This portrays the land itself as lacking any defensive perimeters. It suggests a complete lack of border fortifications or easily defensible settlements.
- "ein lah metzudot uvrichim ein lahem" (without walls and without bars and without gates and without bars for them): This repetition emphasizes the complete absence of defensive structures for both the land and its people. It underscores a state of utter vulnerability. The parallel construction highlights the pervasive lack of security on all levels.
Ezekiel 38 11 Bonus Section
The phrasing "without walls and without bars and without gates and without bars" (Ezekiel 38:11) might seem redundant in English translation. However, the Hebrew repetition of "without bars" (ubrichim, ein lahem) is intended to amplify the state of utter defencelessness. It emphasizes a comprehensive lack of security on every level of fortification. This state of being "unwalled" is not necessarily literal but can also represent a perceived absence of geopolitical or military backing, leaving Israel open to aggression in the eyes of its enemies. The prophecy emphasizes God's role as the ultimate protector, superseding any humanly devised defenses. This will be the backdrop for God’s powerful and decisive intervention, showcasing His holiness and might to the watching nations.
Ezekiel 38 11 Commentary
This verse paints a picture of a seemingly defenseless Israel in the future. The invasion occurs not during a time of war or tension, but during a period of profound peace and security. Israel has been regathered, and its people are living in a state that, to external observers, appears vulnerable because it lacks visible military fortifications. The nations hostile to Israel interpret this as an opportune moment for plunder and conquest, perceiving the people as scattered and possessing wealth without adequate protection. However, this perceived weakness is a setup by God for His intervention, to demonstrate His power and establish His reign. The verse highlights the contrast between human perception of security and divine security, and it underscores that Israel’s ultimate safety rests not in its walls or military might, but in God’s covenant and His direct intervention.