Ezekiel 39 15

Ezekiel 39:15 kjv

And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog.

Ezekiel 39:15 nkjv

The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man's bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog.

Ezekiel 39:15 niv

As they go through the land, anyone who sees a human bone will leave a marker beside it until the gravediggers bury it in the Valley of Hamon Gog,

Ezekiel 39:15 esv

And when these travel through the land and anyone sees a human bone, then he shall set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog.

Ezekiel 39:15 nlt

Whenever bones are found, a marker will be set up so the burial crews will take them to be buried in the Valley of Gog's Hordes.

Ezekiel 39 verses

Ezekiel 39 15 Meaning

This verse describes the thoroughness of the search for bodies after a great battle. The designation of a specific location, "Gazer" (properly "Gazer's vale" or "Gazer's ravine"), signifies the systematic process of finding even the smallest remnant, ensuring nothing is overlooked. It highlights the decisive and complete victory God grants His people.

Ezekiel 39 15 Context

This verse is part of Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the final judgment and defeat of Gog and his vast confederation of nations. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 39:1-14) describe the immense slaughter of Gog's army after God's intervention against them on the mountains of Israel. This verse speaks to the extensive process of burial and cleansing that will be required due to the sheer scale of the destruction. The inhabitants of Israel will spend seven months clearing the land, and the identification of any remaining bodies in "Gazer's vale" is a crucial part of this purification process, ensuring the land is completely cleansed from the defilement of the invaders. This sets the stage for a renewed and secure habitation of Israel, a theme consistent throughout Ezekiel's prophecies.

Ezekiel 39 15 Word Analysis

• "Yes": Introduces a confirmatory statement.
• "the whole land": Refers to the entire territory of Israel, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the cleansing.
• "shall seek":
  • Hebrew: דרשׁ (darash) - Means to seek, inquire, require, demand. It implies a thorough and diligent search, not casual looking. This is the same word used for seeking God's guidance or wisdom.
• "them": Refers to the bodies of Gog and his multitude.
• "out": Indicates an action of uncovering or bringing forth from concealment.
• "a place": A designated location, suggesting an organized effort.
• "prepared":
  • Hebrew: מקום מועד (makom mo'ed) - Literally "appointed place" or "place of meeting/appointment." This suggests a place set aside and recognized for this specific purpose of disposal or identification, indicating meticulous planning and execution in the aftermath of the battle. It can also carry a sense of "ready" or "prepared."
• "Gazer's":
  • Hebrew: גָּזֵר (Gazer) - While some interpret this as a proper place name, its root גָּזַר (gazar) means to cut off, cut asunder, cut down. Given the context of the multitude of slain, "Gazer" might be descriptive, implying a place where things are "cut down" or perhaps a ravine or valley where the slain lie. It underscores the finality and the destructive cutting down of the enemy. It’s possible it’s an allusion to the city of Gezer in the Philistine plain, but its specific meaning here in the context of a burial/identification site is debated, with many seeing it as symbolic of thorough removal. The Septuagint (Greek translation) translates this phrase in ways that suggest a difficulty in precise rendering, sometimes indicating "a deep valley" or similar topographical feature.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "a place prepared": This phrase highlights divine foresight and order even in the aftermath of total destruction. God's plan includes the thoroughness of cleansing, not leaving anything scattered indefinitely. The "prepared place" could refer to a valley designated for this specific, extensive task of identifying and clearing the remnants.
• "Gazer's": The potential link to the Hebrew verb "to cut off" strongly connects the location to the fate of the enemy army. It's where the "cut off" ones are finally dealt with, through the thorough seeking and identification process.

Ezekiel 39 15 Bonus Section

The detailed searching process extends the symbolic meaning of complete restoration. Just as God meticulously gathers His people from their dispersions (Jeremiah 31:8), He ensures that the consequences of judgment are also meticulously dealt with. The seven months mentioned in the previous verse emphasize the magnitude of the task and the commitment to thoroughness. The ultimate hope conveyed is not just victory, but a clean, secure land, a foreshadowing of the new heavens and new earth where sin and death will be no more, and thorough cleansing and dwelling are eternally established. The meticulousness mirrors God's care for His people and His definitive action against their enemies.

Ezekiel 39 15 Commentary

The searching in "Gazer's vale" symbolizes God's complete and unfailing remembrance. Nothing that God orchestrates, even the most terrible judgments, lacks purpose or is left unattended. The inhabitants of Israel will be thorough in dealing with the remnants of Gog's army, demonstrating a comprehensive cleansing of the land. This extensive cleanup signifies a new era of peace and security for Israel, where even the final, smallest trace of the enemy’s defilement will be eradicated. The term "Gazer's" potentially speaks to the cutting off of the enemy, reinforcing the decisive victory. It is a picture of meticulous attention to detail in God's judgment and purification.