Ezekiel 39 17

Ezekiel 39:17 kjv

And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

Ezekiel 39:17 nkjv

"And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: "Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you, A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood.

Ezekiel 39:17 niv

"Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.

Ezekiel 39:17 esv

"As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord GOD: Speak to the birds of every sort and to all beasts of the field: 'Assemble and come, gather from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel, and you shall eat flesh and drink blood.

Ezekiel 39:17 nlt

"And now, son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call all the birds and wild animals. Say to them: Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat flesh and drink blood!

Ezekiel 39 verses

Ezekiel 39 17 Meaning

Ezekiel 39:17 describes a prophetic command from the Lord God, delivered through Ezekiel, to all birds of prey and wild beasts. It is an urgent invitation for them to gather on the mountains of Israel for an unparalleled, divinely orchestrated feast. This "sacrifice" is not an offering to God, but rather a grotesque banquet from God, where the creatures will consume the flesh and blood of the slain armies of Gog, signifying God's complete and overwhelming judgment upon His enemies and the subsequent purification of the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 39 17 Context

Ezekiel 39:17 is a pivotal verse within the climax of the prophecy concerning Gog of Magog (Ezekiel 38-39). Following the detailed description in chapter 38 of Gog's vast army assembling to invade Israel, chapter 39 vividly portrays God's devastating and complete annihilation of this formidable foe. God's intervention is shown as sovereign and undeniable, occurring "upon the mountains of Israel." The preceding verses (Ez 39:1-6) reiterate God's divine judgment against Gog. This specific verse (Ez 39:17) then transitions to the gruesome aftermath, focusing on the macabre feast prepared for the animals.

The broader context of Ezekiel is significant. After prophecies of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem for their sin, and judgment against surrounding nations, the book shifts to themes of future restoration for Israel. The defeat of Gog and the subsequent cleansing of the land (described in Ez 39:11-16) are crucial steps toward preparing the purified land for God's re-establishment of His dwelling among His people (Ez 40-48). Historically, this vivid imagery of carrion animals consuming battlefield casualties was a grim reality in ancient warfare, understood by the original audience as a symbol of utter defeat and disgrace.

Ezekiel 39 17 Word analysis

• And, thou son of man (וְאַתָּה בֶן־אָדָם - ve'attah ben-'adam):
  • "son of man" (בן־אָדָם - ben-'adam): This is God's frequent address to Ezekiel, appearing over ninety times in the book. It highlights Ezekiel's humanity and dependence, contrasting sharply with the divine authority of the one speaking to him. It positions him as God's chosen prophet and messenger to convey profound, supernatural truths to other humans.
• thus saith the Lord GOD (כֹּה אָמַר אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה - koh 'amar Adonai YHWH):
  • "thus saith" (כֹּה אָמַר - koh 'amar): The standard authoritative prophetic formula in the Old Testament, emphatically indicating that the subsequent words are a direct, undeniable divine revelation from God Himself, not the prophet's own opinions or interpretations.
  • "Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה - Adonai YHWH): "Adonai" signifies master, sovereign ruler, while "YHWH" (often transliterated as Yahweh) is the sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, faithful, and personal nature. The combination stresses both God's supreme authority and His intimate commitment to His people, making this message inviolable.
• Speak unto every feathered fowl (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל־כָּל־צִפּוֹר כָּנָף - ve'amarta 'el-kol-tsippor kanaf):
  • "Speak unto" (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל - ve'amarta 'el): An imperative, directing Ezekiel to actively deliver this divine message.
  • "every feathered fowl" (כָּל־צִפּוֹר כָּנָף - kol-tsippor kanaf): Literally, "every bird of wing." This is an inclusive term referring specifically to birds of prey and scavenging birds that would feed on carcasses. It hyperbolically implies an immense, uncountable number of birds drawn to the coming destruction.
• and to every beast of the field (וְאֶל־כָּל־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה - ve'el-kol-hayyat hassadeh):
  • "every beast of the field" (כָּל־חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה - kol-hayyat hassadeh): Refers to all wild animals, especially carnivores and scavengers (e.g., wolves, jackals, hyenas). Along with the birds, it underscores the totality of destruction and the scale of unburied dead bodies.
• Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves (הִקָּבְצוּ וּבֹאוּ הֵאָסְפוּ - hiqqabetzu uvou he'asefu):
  • These are three successive imperative commands, intensifying the call to action. They convey urgency, certainty, and the sheer number of animals God expects to gather. It showcases God's sovereign command over all creation, even over the instinctual movements of wild animals.
• on every side (מִסָּבִיב - missaviv):
  • This indicates the vast geographic extent from which the animals will converge, further emphasizing the global impact of this divine event and the immense quantity of the deceased.
• to my sacrifice (לְזִבְחִי - lezivchi):
  • "sacrifice" (זֶבַח - zevach): This is a profound and ironic use of a sacred term. "Zevach" typically refers to an animal sacrifice or offering to God for atonement, communion, or thanksgiving. Here, it is God performing a "sacrifice" – the mass slaughter of His enemies – for the beasts. It's an inversion: instead of a feast for God, it's a feast from God, displaying His judgment. This "sacrifice" is an act of divine wrath, not appeasement.
• that I do sacrifice for you (אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי זֹבֵחַ לָכֶם - 'asher 'ani zove'ach lakem):
  • This phrase directly clarifies the nature of the "sacrifice": God Himself is the one doing the "sacrificing" (i.e., the slaughter) and it is specifically "for you" (the birds and beasts), to provide them with food. It underscores His direct involvement in the judgment.
• even a great sacrifice (זֶבַח גָּדוֹל - zevach gadol):
  • "great sacrifice" (זֶבַח גָּדוֹל - zevach gadol): The adjective "great" amplifies the scale of this slaughter, underscoring the enormous number of the enemy forces. It is not merely a sacrifice, but one of monumental proportions, reflecting the magnitude of Gog's army as depicted in Ez 38:4, 9, 15-16.
• upon the mountains of Israel (עַל הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - 'al harei Yisra'el):
  • "mountains of Israel" (הָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - harei Yisra'el): This is the specific battleground established in Ez 38 and 39. It reinforces that God's victory takes place directly in His covenant land, highlighting His defense of His chosen people and the sanctity of His dwelling place.
• that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood (תּאֹכְלוּ בָשָׂר וְתִשְׁתּוּ דָם - tochlu basar vetishtu dam):
  • This gruesome statement explicitly describes the outcome of the feast. It paints a vivid picture of the sheer volume of dead bodies and blood. For Israel, this image starkly contrasts with their divinely given dietary laws that strictly prohibited the consumption of blood (Lev 17:10-14, Deut 12:23-25), thereby emphasizing this event as an exceptional act of divine judgment, operating outside normal covenant stipulations. It is a spectacle of ultimate judgment and triumph.

Ezekiel 39 17 Bonus section

• Polemics against Paganism: This "sacrifice" and "feast" functions as a direct polemic against the impotence of pagan deities. Unlike the unpredictable and often amoral gods of surrounding nations, YHWH is shown as the true sovereign God who decisively intervenes in human history, specifically acting to defend His people and exact justice in a dramatic, undeniable way that even nature acknowledges.
• Biblical Typology/Fulfillment: The "supper of the great God" for birds and beasts in Revelation 19:17-18 serves as a New Testament echo or ultimate fulfillment of this Ezekielian vision, illustrating a consistent theme of final, decisive judgment upon those who oppose God and His Christ at the end of days.
• Cleansing of the Land: Beyond just a visual spectacle of judgment, the consumption of the bodies by animals is implicitly part of God's broader plan to cleanse and sanctify the land of Israel, preparing it for the future return of His glory and His covenant people.

Ezekiel 39 17 Commentary

Ezekiel 39:17 vividly portrays God's unyielding judgment against the enemies of Israel, personified by Gog's forces. This verse is a grotesque inversion of the familiar concept of sacrifice; here, God orchestrates a macabre banquet, not as an offering to Himself, but as a judgment "feast" for scavengers. The sheer number of birds and beasts summoned underscores the unparalleled magnitude of the slaughter. God’s direct command to the natural world highlights His absolute sovereignty over all creation, from the smallest bird to the mightiest army. This prophecy serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates God's perfect justice and wrath against unrepentant evil; it emphasizes His faithful protection of His covenant people and land; and it foreshadows the purification of the land as a prerequisite for the later promised restoration and God’s re-establishment of His presence. This judgment is a display of His holiness for all nations to witness.