Ezekiel 32:20

They shall fall in the midst of [them that are] slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes.

They shall fall {H5307} in the midst {H8432} of them that are slain {H2491} by the sword {H2719}: she is delivered {H5414} to the sword {H2719}: draw {H4900} her and all her multitudes {H1995}.

They will fall among those killed by the sword; she is given to the sword; pull her down with her hordes.

They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes.

They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword; draw her away and all her multitudes.

Context

Ezekiel 32:20 is part of a lengthy lamentation concerning Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt, delivered by the prophet Ezekiel. This chapter, specifically from verse 17 onward, describes Egypt's impending descent into Sheol (the grave or underworld), where it will join other powerful, uncircumcised nations that have already fallen by the sword. This prophecy follows a series of oracles against foreign nations (Ezekiel 25-32), highlighting God's sovereign judgment over all earthly powers. The verse vividly portrays the fate of Egypt's vast military and populace, emphasizing their inevitable destruction and humiliation alongside other defeated empires, such as Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, and Sidon. It underscores the ultimate futility of relying on human strength and pride against the will of the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over nations and His righteous judgment against those who oppose Him or trust in their own might. Egypt, once a global superpower, is shown to be completely at God's mercy, destined for destruction.
  • Consequences of Pride: Egypt's arrogance and self-exaltation are central reasons for its downfall. This serves as a stark reminder that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Mortality and Equality in Death: Despite its former glory and military might, Egypt is consigned to the same fate as other fallen nations, emphasizing that all earthly power is temporary and ultimately subject to death. The grave levels all, from the mightiest king to the common soldier. The imagery of being "slain by the sword" and "delivered to the sword" underscores a violent, decisive end.
  • The Sword as an Instrument of Wrath: The recurring motif of the "sword" throughout Ezekiel's prophecies signifies divine wrath and military defeat, often indicating God's chosen method for executing judgment against rebellious nations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "slain by the sword" uses the Hebrew word ḥerev (חֶרֶב), which literally means 'sword' but is often used metaphorically for war, destruction, or divine judgment. The repeated use of "sword" emphasizes the violent, military nature of Egypt's downfall. The verb "delivered" (from the Hebrew nātan, נָתַן) implies being handed over, in this context, to the forces of destruction by divine decree, highlighting God's active role in their demise. The command "draw her" (from māšak, מָשַׁךְ) vividly portrays the dragging of Egypt and its multitudes to their place among the vanquished in Sheol, a place of shame and dishonor for the uncircumcised.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 32:20 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of human pride, self-sufficiency, and reliance on worldly power. It reminds us that no nation, no army, and no individual is ultimately beyond God's sovereign judgment. For believers, this verse reinforces the importance of humility and trust in God alone, rather than in fleeting earthly strength or possessions. It encourages us to recognize that true security and lasting peace are found only in God's eternal kingdom, not in the temporary structures of this world. The ultimate fate of those who oppose God's will is a sobering reminder of the need for repentance and reliance on His mercy, as expressed in John 3:16.

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.

  • Psalms 28:3

    Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief [is] in their hearts.

  • Ezekiel 32:23

    Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living.

  • Ezekiel 32:26

    There [is] Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves [are] round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.

  • Proverbs 24:11

    ¶ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

  • 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 29:12

    And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries [that are] desolate, and her cities among the cities [that are] laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

  • Ezekiel 32:29

    There [is] Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by [them that were] slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit.

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