Ezekiel 38 20

Ezekiel 38:20 kjv

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:20 nkjv

so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.'

Ezekiel 38:20 niv

The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:20 esv

The fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep on the ground, and all the people who are on the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:20 nlt

All living things ? the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth ? will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth.

Ezekiel 38 verses

Ezekiel 38 20 Meaning

In Ezekiel 38:20, it is declared that in the context of divine judgment, violent and destructive forces will manifest so profoundly that they will cause the seas, the earth, the heavens, and all that inhabits them to tremble. This signifies an all-encompassing and catastrophic event, reflecting God's sovereign power and the extreme measures He takes in executing His wrath and establishing His justice. The imagery emphasizes the natural order itself being severely disrupted as a testament to the divine intervention occurring.

Ezekiel 38 20 Context

Ezekiel chapter 38 describes a future prophecy concerning a massive confederation of nations, led by Gog from the land of Magog, who will invade the land of Israel. This invasion is prophesied to occur in the "latter days" when Israel is dwelling securely. Chapter 38 details the extensive coalition of nations arrayed against Israel, highlighting their vast numbers and aggressive intent. The primary purpose of this divine declaration is to demonstrate God's power and His intervention on behalf of His people, bringing judgment upon their enemies. Verse 20 specifically describes the dramatic, natural consequences that will accompany God's response to this invasion, serving as a sign of His wrath and sovereignty over all creation.

Ezekiel 38 20 Word Analysis

• וְהָפִיץ (v'hafits) - "and will cause to shake/tremble" or "will make to flee". From the root "pûts" (פּוּץ), meaning to break forth, to scatter, to break in pieces, or to tremble. Here, it signifies a violent, earth-shattering movement.
• אֵילֶיהָ (eilayah) - "its mighty ones" or "its mighty ones/strength". From "ayil" (אַיִל), referring to a ram, strength, or chieftain. It speaks of powerful entities or supports, which could be interpreted as nations, leaders, or even foundational structures.
• וְרָעֲדוּ (v'ra'adu) - "and will tremble" or "shake". From the root "ra'ad" (רָעַד), a more intense shaking than "harad." It implies violent convulsion and fear.
• הַגּוֹיִם (ha-goyim) - "the nations." The definite article "ha" emphasizes specific nations in this context.
• וְכֹל (v'chol) - "and all." A conjunction with a universalizing quantifier.
• אֲשֶׁר (asher) - "that" or "which." A relative pronoun.
• בָהּ (bah) - "in her" or "in it." Referring back to the earth.
• הִטָּפְלוּ (hittafeleu) - "will tremble" or "quiver." A reflexive or passive form of the verb "tuwphal" (טוּפַל), potentially related to trembling or being stirred up. This reinforces the pervasive nature of the shaking.
• מִפָּנַי (mippanai) - "from my face" or "because of me." Indicates the direct cause of the upheaval is the presence or action of God.
• אָמַר (amar) - "said" or "has said." The perfect tense, signifying a declarative statement by God.
• אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) - "the Lord GOD." A direct address to God, acknowledging His sovereignty.
• יהוה (YHWH) - The personal covenant name of God.
• חָרְדוּ (char'du) - "tremble" or "be terrified." From the root "charad" (חָרַד), signifying a fearful trembling.
• אֲנִי (ani) - "I." Emphasizes the personal agency of God.
• מַדְבִּירוּ (madbiru) - "will cause to drive away" or "will make to move suddenly." From the root "dabar" (דָּבַר), in the sense of being impelled or moved.
• עִתָּם (ittam) - "their time." Referring to the appointed time or moment for this judgment.
• וּמִילְאֹתִי (umilo'ati) - "and I will fill" or "have filled." From "male'" (מָלֵא), indicating complete filling, here with divine judgment or forces.
• שְׁאוֹל (Sheol) - "Sheol," the grave or underworld, signifying destruction and death.
• בְּצֵלְמָוֶת (betz'lmavet) - "with the shadow of death." A metaphorical representation of deep darkness, devastation, and finality.
• וְאֶרֶץ (v'eretz) - "and the earth."
• קֵדְמֹנִיָּה (kedmoniyah) - "eastern," "ancient," or "from the east." In context, likely referring to a part of the land or a characteristic of those affected, but also potentially highlighting the direction of certain forces. However, many translations and commentaries understand this to mean that the very foundations or earliest parts of the earth will be moved. Some scholars suggest a possible connection to primal chaos or creation elements being affected.
• בְּשָׁנָתַי (bishanatai) - "in my year(s)" or "in my times." Possibly referring to appointed times or seasons of judgment, or historical periods. This phrase is debated; some interpretations see it as referring to God's established cycles or specific dispensations of His working in history.
• וְשָׁפַטְתִּי (v'shafachti) - "and I will judge." A definitive statement of divine justice.
• הִקְסַמְתִּי (hiqsamti) - "I will punish" or "I will bring against." From "qasam" (קָסַם), which typically means to practice divination or sorcery, but here it carries a meaning of inflicting or bringing consequences, possibly divinely ordained punishment. This is a difficult word, some suggesting "my severe judgments" or "my punitive actions."

Word-Group Analysis:

• "And its mighty ones, and its nations, and all that is in it, will tremble": This entire phrase encapsulates the overwhelming and comprehensive nature of the judgment. It's not just human nations but the very pillars of the earth and its inhabitants that are affected, signifying a disruption of all existing order and power structures.
• "From my face": This prepositional phrase clearly attributes the cause of this universal trembling to the immediate presence or action of God Himself.
• "I will cause the earth to quake": This is God's direct assertion of His active role in orchestrating these cataclysmic events.
• "and I will cause the foundations of the earth to shake": This speaks to the deepest, most fundamental aspects of the earth's stability being compromised, showing the extreme severity of God's judgment.
• "I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land": Echoes of prophetic language used for severe divine judgment and divine manifestation, indicating the universal scope of the judgment.
• "their time": This refers to the divinely appointed moment when this judgment will occur.

Ezekiel 38 20 Bonus Section

The concept of God shaking the heavens and the earth is a recurring motif in biblical prophecy, signifying moments of great divine intervention, judgment, and revelation. This shaking is often associated with the "Day of the Lord," a period of reckoning for the wicked and salvation for the righteous.

In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, earthquakes were often seen as manifestations of divine power and activity. However, the biblical narrative attributes this power solely to the God of Israel, transforming a potential object of fear into a declaration of His omnipotence.

Some scholars interpret the "shaking of the foundations" as the disruption of the existing world order, whether political, social, or even primordial cosmic structures that were considered the underpinnings of reality. The phrase "my year" (singular or plural) suggests appointed times of divine visitation, a consistent theme in God's dealings with humanity and history.

Ezekiel 38 20 Commentary

This verse delivers a powerful pronouncement from God, declaring that in response to the attack by Gog and his confederates, He will personally cause the earth and everything within it to shake violently. The language used is not merely figurative; it describes a profound physical upheaval of the natural world, orchestrated by the Almighty. The shaking extends to "its mighty ones" (possessions, power structures, inhabitants) and "all that is in it." This is the immediate, palpable consequence of God's presence and His decree against those who threaten His people.

The verse establishes God's absolute sovereignty not only over human affairs but also over the entirety of creation. When God acts in judgment, the very fabric of the physical world responds. This anticipates events described later in Scripture where divine intervention brings about widespread seismic activity, atmospheric disturbances, and celestial signs. The imagery serves to instill a deep reverence and fear for God's power and to emphasize that no earthly power or natural element can stand against Him when He chooses to unleash His wrath. It is a demonstration that His judgments are thorough and comprehensive.