Ezekiel 32:13

I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.

I will destroy {H6} also all the beasts {H929} thereof from {H5921} beside the great {H7227} waters {H4325}; neither shall the foot {H7272} of man {H120} trouble {H1804} them any more, nor the hoofs {H6541} of beasts {H929} trouble {H1804} them.

I will destroy all her cattle beside her plentiful waters. No human foot will trouble them again, nor the hoof of any animal.

I will slaughter all her cattle beside the abundant waters. No human foot will muddy them again, and no cattle hooves will disturb them.

I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside many waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.

Context of Ezekiel 32:13

Ezekiel 32:13 is part of a lamentation, or funeral dirge, delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt. This chapter, along with others from Ezekiel 29-32, details God's impending judgment on Egypt for its pride, arrogance, and unreliability as an ally to Israel. The imagery throughout these chapters often portrays Egypt as a powerful, yet ultimately doomed, creature of the sea—a great dragon or crocodile (Ezekiel 29:3). Verse 13 specifically describes the profound and lasting desolation that will follow this divine judgment, emphasizing the complete cessation of activity in the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Absolute Desolation and Judgment: This verse underscores the severity and totality of God's judgment upon Egypt. The destruction is so complete that the land will be utterly devoid of life and activity, both human and animal. It signifies a barren, uninhabited wilderness.
  • Cessation of All Activity: The phrase "neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them" vividly paints a picture of profound stillness. The bustling life of a fertile land, sustained by the "great waters" (the Nile), will be silenced. This contrasts sharply with Egypt's former vibrancy and its role as a major power.
  • God's Sovereign Control: The declaration "I will destroy" highlights God's ultimate authority over nations and their destinies. Even mighty Egypt, with its vast armies and fertile lands, is subject to His will and judgment. This theme is consistent with other prophecies against proud nations, such as the desolation prophesied against Babylon in Isaiah 13:20.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great waters" (Hebrew: mayim rabbim) is a clear reference to the Nile River, which was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, providing irrigation, fertile soil, and transportation. The destruction of "all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters" implies the removal of livestock and other animals that thrived in the fertile Nile delta and valley, further emphasizing the complete desolation of the land. The word "trouble" (Hebrew: da'ak or d'ak, related to treading or disturbing) conveys the idea of an undisturbed, desolate peace, devoid of the usual sounds and movements of a living ecosystem.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 32:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and sovereignty over all earthly powers. For believers today, it teaches several lessons:

  1. Humility Before God: No nation or individual, regardless of their perceived strength or prosperity, is beyond God's judgment. Pride and rebellion against God's ways ultimately lead to downfall.
  2. Consequences of Sin: The verse illustrates the profound and lasting consequences of a nation's collective sin and defiance of God. The desolation described is a direct result of Egypt's arrogance and idolatry.
  3. God's Unchanging Character: This prophecy, fulfilled in history, affirms God's faithfulness to His word—both in judgment and in blessing. It encourages trust in His ultimate plan and justice, even when circumstances seem chaotic.

The stark imagery of a land utterly silenced by divine decree invites reflection on the ephemeral nature of worldly power and the eternal significance of aligning with God's will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 29:11

    No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

  • Ezekiel 29:8

    ¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee.

  • Ezekiel 32:2

    Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou [art] as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

  • Ezekiel 34:18

    [Seemeth it] a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?

  • Ezekiel 30:12

    And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken [it].

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