Ezekiel 32:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 32:13 is a stark declaration of divine judgment against Egypt, prophesying a complete and irreversible desolation of its land. Through vivid imagery, the verse depicts a future where the vibrant life sustained by the Nile River will cease entirely, marked by the absence of both human and animal activity. This profound stillness underscores the absolute nature of God's sovereign power to bring an end to even the mightiest earthly kingdoms that oppose His will and purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 32:13 is situated within a series of prophecies and laments against Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh"). This particular chapter functions as a funeral dirge for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and his vast army, portraying Egypt as a great sea monster or dragon ([Ezekiel 29:3](/ezekiel/29-3 "Ezekiel 29:3 - Pharaoh as a Great Dragon")) that God will ensnare and cast out. The preceding verses in [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament Over Pharaoh") describe the dramatic fall of this once-mighty nation, likening its demise to a great fish being hauled out of the waters, its flesh scattered. Verse 13 specifically details the aftermath of this cataclysmic judgment, emphasizing the utter barrenness and cessation of life that will follow, reinforcing the theme of God's absolute dominion over all nations and their ultimate accountability to Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was renowned for its immense power, wealth, and sophisticated civilization, largely sustained by the annual flooding of the Nile River, which provided fertile soil and abundant water. The "great waters" in the text are a clear reference to this life-giving river, the very heart of Egyptian prosperity. Egypt often played a significant role in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, frequently serving as an unreliable ally to smaller nations like Judah, who often looked to Egypt for military support against empires like Assyria and Babylon (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Egypt's Alliance")). The prophecies against Egypt, therefore, served not only as a warning to Egypt itself but also as a lesson to Judah about trusting in human power rather than in God. The judgment described in [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament Over Pharaoh") would have been a shocking reversal of fortune for a nation that saw itself as eternal and divinely favored.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, asserting God's absolute control over all nations, even those as formidable as Egypt. No earthly power, regardless of its perceived might or self-sufficiency, can escape God's righteous judgment for its pride, idolatry, and oppression. Another prominent theme is **Absolute Desolation and Cessation of Life**, vividly portraying the consequences of defying the Creator. The imagery of a land devoid of human and animal activity, where the "foot of man" and "hoofs of beasts" no longer "trouble" the waters, signifies a complete and profound stillness—a reversal of the vibrant, bustling life that characterized the Nile Delta. This echoes other prophecies of utter destruction against proud cities and nations, such as the desolation of Babylon described in [Isaiah 13:20](/isaiah/13-20 "Isaiah 13:20 - Desolation of Babylon"). Finally, the passage highlights the **Futility of Trusting in Worldly Power**, demonstrating that reliance on human strength or natural resources, apart from God, ultimately leads to ruin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6, this primitive root means "to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)." In Ezekiel 32:13, it conveys a decisive and complete obliteration, not merely a temporary setback. God Himself is the active agent of this destruction, indicating His direct involvement in Egypt's downfall, leading to its utter ruin and voidness.
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** From H120, this refers to a "human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)." The use of `ʼâdâm` here emphasizes the complete absence of human presence and activity. It signifies that no person, regardless of their status or purpose, will inhabit or traverse the desolate land, underscoring the totality of the judgment.
* **trouble (Hebrew, _dâlach'_):** From H1804, this primitive root means "to roil water; trouble." In this context, it vividly describes the disturbance or agitation caused by movement. The declaration that the foot of man and hoofs of beasts will no longer "trouble" the waters paints a picture of profound, undisturbed stillness. It implies that the very life and activity that once characterized Egypt's fertile lands, particularly around the Nile, will be entirely absent, leaving an eerie, desolate peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters":** This opening clause asserts God's direct agency ("I will destroy") in bringing about the desolation. The focus is on the removal of "all the beasts," referring to livestock and wild animals that thrived in the fertile Nile region. Their removal from "beside the great waters" (the Nile) signifies the destruction of the very ecosystem that supported life and prosperity in Egypt, indicating a complete ecological collapse.
* **"neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more":** This phrase further emphasizes the totality of the desolation by explicitly stating the absence of human activity. The "foot of man" represents human presence, movement, and the bustling life of a populated land. The inability of man to "trouble" (stir, disturb) the waters or the land implies that the land will be utterly uninhabited and undisturbed, a stark contrast to Egypt's former vibrancy.
* **"nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.":** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the previous one, completing the picture of absolute stillness. The "hoofs of beasts" refer to the movement of animals, particularly livestock that grazed and were watered by the Nile. Their absence, and thus their inability to "trouble" the land, underscores the complete cessation of all life and activity, both human and animal, leaving the land barren and silent.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 32:13 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of utter desolation. **Hyperbole** is evident in the absolute language used, suggesting a level of destruction so complete that literally no foot or hoof will ever disturb the land again, emphasizing the severity and finality of God's judgment. The phrase "trouble them" (referring to the waters or the land) uses **Personification**, as it subtly imbues the inanimate environment with a quality that can be disturbed or left in peace, highlighting the profound stillness that will descend. The verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid mental picture of a silent, barren landscape devoid of the sounds and movements of life, contrasting sharply with the once-thriving Nile Delta. This imagery contributes to the overall **Symbolism** of the passage, where the desolation of Egypt serves as a powerful symbol of the consequences of national pride and rebellion against God, and the ultimate futility of earthly power in the face of divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 32:13 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and His righteous judgment against human pride and rebellion. It demonstrates that no earthly kingdom, no matter how mighty or self-sufficient, is beyond the reach of His divine decree. The complete desolation of Egypt serves as a stark reminder that prosperity and power, when divorced from humility and obedience to God, are ultimately fleeting and subject to His ultimate authority. This passage underscores the principle that God holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly their arrogance, idolatry, and their treatment of His people. The silence and barrenness prophesied for Egypt point to the devastating consequences of rejecting the Creator's will, a theme consistent throughout prophetic literature.

* [Isaiah 13:20](/isaiah/13-20 "Isaiah 13:20 - Desolation of Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Desolation of Judah and Nations")
* [Revelation 18:21-23](/rev/18-21 "Revelation 18:21-23 - The Fall of Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 32:13, while describing a historical judgment on ancient Egypt, carries profound and timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and that pride, self-sufficiency, and rebellion against His will ultimately lead to desolation, whether spiritual or societal. We are called to cultivate humility, recognizing that all blessings and strength come from Him, and that our trust should be placed in His unchanging character, not in fleeting worldly systems or our own perceived might. The stark imagery of a land utterly silenced by divine decree compels us to reflect on the ephemeral nature of worldly power and the eternal significance of aligning our lives and our societies with God's righteous standards. It challenges us to examine where our ultimate allegiance lies and to consider the long-term consequences of collective sin and defiance against the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to place trust in worldly power or resources rather than in God's sovereignty?**
* **How does the concept of "desolation" in this verse inform my understanding of the consequences of spiritual rebellion or societal sin?**
* **What does Ezekiel 32:13 teach me about God's justice and His ultimate control over the destinies of nations and individuals?**
* **How can the humility exemplified by Christ contrast with the pride that led to Egypt's downfall?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "great waters" in this verse?**

Answer: The "great waters" in Ezekiel 32:13 is a direct reference to the Nile River, the lifeblood of ancient Egypt. The Nile was not merely a geographical feature; it was the source of Egypt's immense agricultural wealth, its primary mode of transportation, and deeply intertwined with its religious and cultural identity. Prophecies against Egypt often target the Nile (e.g., [Ezekiel 29:10](/ezekiel/29-10 "Ezekiel 29:10 - Desolation of Egypt from Migdol to Syene")), symbolizing the destruction of the very source of its prosperity and national pride. The verse's declaration that beasts will be destroyed "from beside the great waters" and that no "foot of man" or "hoofs of beasts" will "trouble" them anymore signifies a complete and utter desolation, where the very fount of life for Egypt will become barren and undisturbed, reflecting the total collapse of its civilization and power.

**How does this prophecy against Egypt relate to God's broader plan?**

Answer: This prophecy, like many others against foreign nations in the Old Testament, serves multiple purposes within God's broader redemptive plan. Firstly, it demonstrates God's universal sovereignty, proving that He is not merely the God of Israel but the supreme ruler over all nations, holding them accountable for their pride, idolatry, and injustice (e.g., [Jeremiah 18:7-10](/jeremiah/18-7 "Jeremiah 18:7-10 - God's Sovereignty Over Nations")). Secondly, it served as a warning and a lesson for Israel, who often looked to Egypt for alliances and security instead of trusting in God alone (e.g., [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")). The downfall of mighty Egypt underscored the futility of relying on human strength. Finally, these judgments against earthly powers foreshadow the ultimate judgment and establishment of God's eternal kingdom, where all human systems of rebellion will be brought to an end, paving the way for the reign of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 32:13, in its depiction of the utter desolation of a proud earthly kingdom, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's sovereign rule, which finds its climactic fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "destroying" hand of God against Egypt's self-sufficiency and pride points to the comprehensive judgment that Christ, as the divine Son, will execute against all forms of human rebellion and systems that oppose God's kingdom. Just as the "foot of man" and "hoofs of beasts" cease to trouble the desolate land of Egypt, so too does Christ's redemptive work bring an end to the spiritual turmoil and chaos caused by sin. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")), bringing a profound peace that the world cannot give ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace")). The finality of Egypt's judgment anticipates the ultimate and eternal cessation of all evil, suffering, and rebellion in the new heavens and new earth, where Christ reigns supreme and there will be no more curse ([Revelation 21:4](/rev/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning") and [Revelation 22:3](/rev/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - No More Curse")). Thus, the judgment on Egypt serves as a prophetic type, pointing to the decisive victory of the Lamb of God, who alone establishes a kingdom of everlasting peace and undisturbed righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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].