Ezekiel 38:15 kjv
And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:
Ezekiel 38:15 nkjv
Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
Ezekiel 38:15 niv
You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.
Ezekiel 38:15 esv
You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army.
Ezekiel 38:15 nlt
You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army,
Ezekiel 38 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 38:11 | "And you will say, ‘I will go to a land of villages without walls..." | Ezekiel 38:11 (Similar prophecy of vulnerability) |
| Psalm 4:8 | "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." | Psalm 4:8 (God as the source of safety) |
| Psalm 23:4 | "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." | Psalm 23:4 (Divine presence in times of danger) |
| Isaiah 4:5 | "then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night..." | Isaiah 4:5 (God's protective covering) |
| Zechariah 2:5 | "'I will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.'" | Zechariah 2:5 (God as a protective barrier) |
| Psalm 121:3-4 | "He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber..." | Psalm 121:3-4 (God's constant vigilance) |
| Jeremiah 32:37 | "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?" | Jeremiah 32:37 (God's omnipotence) |
| Isaiah 26:1 | "In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: 'We have a strong city..." | Isaiah 26:1 (A fortified city of salvation) |
| Proverbs 18:10 | "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." | Proverbs 18:10 (The LORD's name as a defense) |
| Romans 8:31 | "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" | Romans 8:31 (God's advocacy for believers) |
| 1 John 4:4 | "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." | 1 John 4:4 (The indwelling Spirit's power) |
| Revelation 21:3-4 | "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them..." | Revelation 21:3-4 (God dwelling with His people) |
| Acts 12:7 | "Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains..." | Acts 12:7 (Divine deliverance from confinement) |
| Psalm 3:6 | "I will not fear a thousand thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side." | Psalm 3:6 (Freedom from fear despite overwhelming opposition) |
| Song of Solomon 8:10 | "I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers..." | Song of Solomon 8:10 (Figurative representation of protection and steadfastness) |
| Jeremiah 24:6 | "My eyes will look on them with favor and bring them back to this land; I will build them up and not tear them down..." | Jeremiah 24:6 (God's promise of building and not destroying) |
| Amos 9:14 | "I will bring back my exiled people Israel..." | Amos 9:14 (Restoration of the people) |
| Isaiah 30:15 | "This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." | Isaiah 30:15 (Strength through quiet trust) |
| Psalm 91:1-2 | "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty..." | Psalm 91:1-2 (Dwelling in God's shelter) |
| Leviticus 26:5 | "They will thresh wheat all the way to the harvest and planting all the way to the gathering of grapes. They will eat their fill and live in safety in their land." | Leviticus 26:5 (Promise of peace and security) |
Ezekiel 38 verses
Ezekiel 38 15 Meaning
This verse signifies Israel's peaceful and secure state, dwelling without any visible defenses like walls, bars, or gates. It portrays a time of unparalleled divine protection and tranquility for the people of God, emphasizing their vulnerability yet ultimate safety.
Ezekiel 38 15 Context
This verse from Ezekiel's prophecy is set within the larger context of God's judgment on Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Ezekiel 38-39 describes a future confederation of nations, led by Gog, who will invade the land of Israel. This invasion is depicted as an unprovoked act of aggression against a nation that is perceived as dwelling in security. In chapter 38, the focus is on the overwhelming military might assembled by Gog. However, chapter 39 details God's dramatic intervention to defeat this enemy and vindicate His name among the nations.
The specific phrase in Ezekiel 38:15 refers to the state of Israel at the time of Gog's planned invasion. It describes a time when Israel is at peace and has experienced a return from exile. This period of peace and perceived defenselessness is what emboldens Gog to attack. Historically, the prophet Ezekiel was speaking to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, offering both a warning about future hostile nations and a promise of God's ultimate deliverance and restoration. The understanding of Israel dwelling "without walls" can also be seen as a description of their vulnerability after returning from captivity and re-establishing their land, even as they begin to rebuild their lives under divine providence.
Ezekiel 38 15 Word Analysis
And: Conjunction indicating a connection or sequence of events.
you: Refers to Gog, the antagonist mentioned in the preceding verses.
shall: Modal verb indicating future certainty or a divine decree.
come: Signifies arrival or movement towards a destination.
against: Indicates opposition or hostility.
them: Refers to the people of Israel, the inhabitants of the land.
the land: Denotes the territory of Israel.
of: Preposition indicating possession or association.
villages: Signifies small settlements, possibly implying a less fortified or densely populated state. The Hebrew word is "parvashot," which can refer to open country or villages, distinct from fortified cities.
without: Indicates the absence of something.
walls: Refers to defensive fortifications. The Hebrew word "chol" implies a protective enclosure or rampart.
having neither: Denotes a double negation, emphasizing the complete lack of defenses.
bar: The Hebrew "machsor" can mean a bolt, bar, or blockade, a physical means of securing an entrance.
nor: Another negating conjunction.
gate: The Hebrew "pelach" refers to a gate or door, an entry point to a settlement.
Group Analysis: "villages without walls, having neither bar nor gate": This descriptive phrase powerfully illustrates a state of profound peace and divine protection. It's not just a lack of walls, but also the absence of basic security measures like bars or gates. This suggests an absolute trust in God's guardianship, making conventional defenses unnecessary. The imagery implies that their security is not derived from physical fortifications but from God's omnipresence and power.
Ezekiel 38 15 Bonus Section
The concept of Israel dwelling "without walls" also resonates with the New Testament understanding of the church. In Christ, believers are no longer bound by the "wall of separation" (Ephesians 2:14) that existed between Jews and Gentiles due to the law. Instead, through faith, they are united and eternally secure in God's presence, possessing a spiritual security that transcends physical fortifications. This can be seen as a spiritual fulfillment of the promise of absolute safety found in this verse.
Ezekiel 38 15 Commentary
Ezekiel 38:15 vividly portrays a future Israel, utterly secure because of God's direct protection, not due to their own military strength or defensive structures. This state of perceived defenselessness is a critical element in the prophecy, as it serves as the perceived opportunity for the nations allied with Gog to launch their invasion. It highlights a significant theological point: true security comes not from material defenses but from a complete reliance on and trust in the Lord. When Israel dwells in such a state of God-given peace, it will be seen by aggressive forces as an easy target, thereby setting the stage for God's mighty intervention and vindication. This condition anticipates a messianic era where God's presence inherently secures His people.