Ezekiel 38 13

Ezekiel 38:13 kjv

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Ezekiel 38:13 nkjv

Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, 'Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?' " '

Ezekiel 38:13 niv

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?"?'

Ezekiel 38:13 esv

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, 'Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?'

Ezekiel 38:13 nlt

But Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish will ask, 'Do you really think the armies you have gathered can rob them of silver and gold? Do you think you can drive away their livestock and seize their goods and carry off plunder?'

Ezekiel 38 verses

Ezekiel 38 13 Meaning

The verse states that the merchants of Tarshish and the "young lions thereof" will question the invading forces' legitimacy to plunder a land and its people who have been gathered from many nations. This implies that these merchants and their representatives are observing an act of aggression and questioning its divine or rightful basis, particularly regarding the spoils from a nation seen as having God's favor and being established by His hand.

Ezekiel 38 13 Context

Chapter 38 of Ezekiel prophesies a future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations led by Gog, from the land of Magog. This invasion occurs after Israel has been regathered in its land and enjoys a period of peace and security. The prophet specifically names nations and leaders involved, including Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Beth-togarmah, Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya.

Verse 13 is spoken from the perspective of commercial entities – specifically the merchants and young lions (representatives or allied powers) of Tarshish. Tarshish was a significant Phoenician trading colony, known for its maritime trade and wealth. These observers, situated far from the immediate conflict but likely with commercial interests tied to the region or the ensuing global disruption, question the motives of the invading forces. They perceive the invasion as a direct act of plunder and greed, directed at a people and a land that should be inviolable, given the context of God's re-established people in their restored land. This highlights the global awareness and economic implications of the events described.

Ezekiel 38 13 Word Analysis

• Sheba (שֶׁבָא - Sheva'):
  • Meaning: "Seven" or "abundance." Refers to a South Arabian kingdom.
  • Significance: Represents nations known for their wealth, particularly in spices and gold. Their participation implies that the disruption is observed by affluent trading communities.
• Dedan (דְּדָן - D'dan):
  • Meaning: "Dryness," "low country." Refers to a nomadic or trading people, possibly descendants of Abraham.
  • Significance: Also associated with trade and caravan routes, linking them to commercial interests.
• the merchants (כְּנַעֲנֵי - Ken'anei):
  • Meaning: Can relate to Canaanites, or more broadly, traders/merchants, reflecting their Phoenician background and economic focus.
  • Significance: Highlights the economic perspective of these observers. Their primary concern is the disruption of commerce and the legality/reason for such an act of aggression impacting trade routes and potential markets.
• of Tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ - Tarshish):
  • Meaning: Origin uncertain, but often associated with a far western seafaring nation, likely a trading empire (possibly Tartessos in Spain).
  • Significance: Represents distant, powerful commercial interests. Their voice is one of international trade and commerce, observing an act that threatens global economic stability and established trade practices.
• and all the young lions thereof (וְכָל־אֲרָיוֹת הִיא - Vechol-aryot hiyeh):
  • Meaning: "All her lion cubs" or "young lions belonging to it." Refers to colonies, subordinate states, or allied younger powers dependent on Tarshish.
  • Significance: Demonstrates the widespread influence and network of Tarshish's commercial empire. Even its dependent territories question the invasion, indicating a unified concern from the commercial world.
• shall say (יֹאמְרוּ - Yo'mru):
  • Meaning: "They will say." A straightforward statement of their vocal opposition or inquiry.
  • Significance: It's not a passive observation but an active challenge.
• unto thee (אֵלֶיךָ - Elekha):
  • Meaning: "To you" (Gog). Direct address to the invading leader.
• Art thou come to take a spoil? (הֲלְבוֹז בָּאתָ - Hal'voz Bat'ta?):
  • Meaning: "Is it to seize a spoil/booty you have come?" This question cuts to the heart of their observation.
  • Significance: It questions the purpose of the invasion. From a mercantile viewpoint, invasion without a legitimate pretext for taking "spoil" is questionable, especially against a nation that has seemingly been regathered and blessed by God.
• hast thou gathered thy company (הֲלוֹקַחַ עֲמִיתְךָ - Haloka'ach Amit'cha):
  • Meaning: "Have you collected your company/group/force?" Questions the assembly of the invasion force.
  • Significance: Implies recognition of the military might being amassed.
• to take a prey? (לָשֶׁס־בּוּזָה - Lashes-vuzah?):
  • Meaning: "To seize a plunder/loot/spoil?" A reinforcing of the previous question about the intent to plunder.
• to carry away silver and gold (לָשֵׁב־כֶּסֶף וָזָהָב - Lashev-kesef v'zahav):
  • Meaning: "To turn aside silver and gold" or "to carry off silver and gold." Refers to material wealth.
  • Significance: Highlights the material incentives of the invasion from the observers' perspective.
• to take away cattle and goods (לַהֲגִמִּיבּ — בָּקָר וְרֶכוּשׁ - Lahagemmim-boq'r v'rekush):
  • Meaning: "To cause to come together cattle and possessions/goods." Refers to livestock and property.
  • Significance: Further specifies the targets of the plunder, covering economic resources beyond precious metals.
• to take a great spoil? (לְהָסִיק שָׁלָל גָּדוֹל - Lehasik Shalal Gadol?):
  • Meaning: "To gather/collect a great spoil/booty." A summary of the plunder they perceive as the objective.
  • Significance: This reiterates the commercial concern – a "great spoil" implies a significant economic objective being threatened or observed.

Words-group by Words-group analysis:

• Tarshish and its young lions: This group represents a far-reaching commercial network, not necessarily military power in the same sense as Gog, but a significant economic force with influence and allied territories. Their inquiry is grounded in the economics and perceived illegitimacy of aggressive appropriation of resources.
• Questions about "spoil," "prey," "silver and gold," "cattle and goods": This cluster of phrases uniformly points to the commercial and material aspects of the invasion. The merchants question the act of plunder from an economic and perhaps ethical standpoint, viewing it as an unprovoked economic assault rather than a legitimate military action.
• "Art thou come to take a spoil?" and "hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey?": These are parallel questions designed to challenge Gog's motive and legitimacy for gathering forces and planning an assault aimed at enriching himself through massive appropriation of property.

Ezekiel 38 13 Bonus Section

The perspective of these merchants offers a unique vantage point. While nations like Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are described as being part of Gog's invading army, Sheba and Dedan, along with Tarshish, are positioned as observers or questioners, rather than direct participants in the aggression itself. This suggests a global awareness and varying degrees of involvement or reaction to the prophetic events unfolding. Their question could be interpreted as an early sign of God using secular powers or forces to indirectly witness or even challenge the unrighteousness of the invading nations. The inclusion of Tarshish, a significant historical trading power, emphasizes how such end-time conflicts will have profound global economic repercussions that will not go unnoticed by major players in international trade.

Ezekiel 38 13 Commentary

This verse acts as an external, secular observation of Gog's impending invasion. The merchants of Tarshish and their allies, representing the global economic community, question the purely self-serving motive of plunder. They implicitly recognize that the land of Israel, at this time, is inhabited by a people who have been restored by God. Thus, any attempt to seize its wealth for selfish gain is seen as fundamentally unjustified and disruptive to the natural order of commerce and global affairs. Their question is not one of support or opposition based on divine alignment, but rather on economic pragmatism and the established order. This underscores that even secular powers will observe and potentially question end-times events and the actions of aggressors against God's covenant people, recognizing a perceived deviation from expected norms. It highlights the worldwide implications of God’s dealings with Israel.