Ezekiel 38 22

Ezekiel 38:22 kjv

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Ezekiel 38:22 nkjv

And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Ezekiel 38:22 niv

I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Ezekiel 38:22 esv

With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.

Ezekiel 38:22 nlt

I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!

Ezekiel 38 verses

Ezekiel 38 22 meaning

Ezekiel 38:22 proclaims God's direct and multifaceted judgment against Gog and his allied forces. The verse details a divine, cataclysmic intervention involving pestilence, widespread bloodshed, a torrential deluge, massive hailstones, consuming fire, and devastating brimstone. This comprehensive assault demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty and intent to utterly annihilate the enemy, showcasing His power and holiness before all nations.

Ezekiel 38 22 Context

Ezekiel 38:22 is a pivotal verse within Ezekiel's detailed prophecy concerning the invasion of Gog of Magog, described in chapters 38 and 39. This invasion represents a final, audacious assault by the forces of evil against the restored nation of Israel. Following Israel's return from exile and secure dwelling in their land, a coalition of nations led by Gog gathers to plunder and destroy. The preceding verses of chapter 38 describe Gog's immense army, their motivation, and God's sovereign hand in drawing them forth for His ultimate purpose. Verse 22 then marks a turning point, revealing the nature of God's decisive and overwhelming response to this threat. It is not Israel's army, but God Himself who directly intervenes, unleashing a cascade of supernatural disasters to completely annihilate Gog's forces, thus demonstrating His holiness and power to the world.

Ezekiel 38 22 Word analysis

(ul)

• And I will enter into judgment (וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּי wə·niš·paṭ·tî): This is from the Hebrew root shaphat (H8199), meaning to judge, govern, or decide a controversy. The form used here, Niphal, signifies a reflective or passive action that often implies God is acting on behalf of Himself or executing a predetermined sentence. It emphasizes God's direct and personal involvement in rendering justice, not just arbitrating, but actively carrying out the consequences of judgment against Gog.
• against him (אִתּוֹ ’it·tōw): Points directly to Gog, the leader of the invading coalition, indicating the primary target of this divine wrath.
• with pestilence (בַּדֶּבֶר bad·de·ver): From dever (H1698), meaning "plague," "epidemic," or "pestilence." This refers to a sudden, widespread disease often depicted as a direct instrument of God's wrath, especially against unrepentant enemies.
• and with blood (וּבַדָּם u·ḇad·dām): From dam (H1818), meaning "blood." In this context, it signifies widespread slaughter, death, and carnage, possibly even miraculous bleeding, demonstrating severe judgment and destruction of life. It’s more than just a battle, but a comprehensive loss of life.
• and I will rain upon him (וְהִמְטַרְתִּי wə·him·ṭar·tî - I will cause it to rain): A Hiphil form of matar (H4305), directly attributing the act of raining to God Himself. He is the active agent in delivering the subsequent forms of judgment.
• an overflowing shower (גֶשֶׁם שׁוֹטֵף ge·shem šō·ṭēf): Geshem (H1653) is "rain," and shotef (H7857) means "overflowing," "sweeping," "a deluge." This is not a gentle rain but a destructive downpour, often associated with a flood, conveying an unstoppable, overwhelming torrent of judgment.
• and great hailstones (אַבְנֵי אֶלְגָּבִישׁ גְּדֹלוֹת ’av·nê ’el·gā·ḇîš gə·ḏō·lō·wṯ): ’avnê means "stones of," ’elgâvîsh (H4172) specifically refers to "hail," and gedolôṯ (H1419) means "great," "large." These are enormous, deadly hailstones, acting as destructive missiles from heaven, as seen in other instances of divine intervention.
• fire (אֵשׁ ’ēsh): (H784) Refers to literal, consuming fire. In biblical judgment, fire is often an instrument of purification, ultimate destruction, or divine presence (theophany). Here, it brings devastation.
• and brimstone (וְגָפְרִית wə·ḡā·p̄rîṯ): (H1614) Also known as sulfur. Paired with fire, brimstone is an iconic symbol of irreversible and devastating divine judgment, most notably seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It implies complete and utter desolation, leaving nothing living behind.

(ul)

• Pestilence and blood: These two elements frequently appear together in the Bible as a pair, signifying severe and deadly forms of judgment, especially related to the destruction of life and a state of siege or battle where casualties are rampant. They imply widespread suffering and death not necessarily from direct human combat, but also from the immediate consequence of divine wrath or battle.
• Overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone: This collective group of natural and supernatural elements escalates the judgment from human and battlefield-related causes (pestilence, blood) to a cosmic-scale divine intervention. These are forces of nature, directly commanded by God, which no human army can withstand or evade. The combination underscores the totality and devastating power of God's wrath, demonstrating His control over creation itself as a weapon against His enemies.

Ezekiel 38 22 Bonus section

(ul)

• The array of destructive elements mentioned – pestilence, blood, torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone – constitute a composite judgment. This means God is not using just one method of destruction, but simultaneously unleashing multiple forms of calamity, ensuring there is no escape or survival. It indicates the totality of His wrath.
• The language echoes theophanic imagery found throughout the Old Testament, where God reveals Himself through powerful natural phenomena like storms, fire, and earthquake (Ex 19, Ps 18, Hab 3). The unleashing of these cosmic elements underscores that this is a direct, awe-inspiring manifestation of God's presence and power.
• This verse contributes significantly to the "Day of the Lord" motif, depicting a time of God's decisive and powerful intervention in history to judge the wicked and vindicate His people. The intensity and supernatural nature of the judgment are characteristic of prophecies concerning that ultimate day.
• The specific mention of "brimstone" (sulfur) connects this future judgment strongly with the ancient judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24), signaling not only utter destruction but also desolation that renders the land uninhabitable for its adversaries. It suggests a final, irreversible end for the invaders.

Ezekiel 38 22 Commentary

Ezekiel 38:22 is a declaration of ultimate, unparalleled divine retribution against Gog and his forces, orchestrated directly by God. It paints a vivid picture of God's commitment to protecting His people and upholding His holy name. The judgment unfolds through multiple, devastating means: from the invisible scourge of pestilence and widespread, tangible bloodshed to the dramatic, overwhelming natural forces of a destructive deluge, giant hailstones, and consuming fire mixed with brimstone. This array of judgment elements, culminating in fire and brimstone, signifies a complete and irrevocable annihilation, echoing past historical judgments like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It transcends conventional warfare, presenting a supernatural, theophanic intervention where creation itself becomes an instrument of the Creator's wrath. This total destruction serves as a profound global witness to God's unmatched power, demonstrating that no entity, however vast or arrogant, can defy His sovereign will when He rises to defend His people and honor His name. This verse confirms that Israel's deliverance is not by human might, but by divine action alone.