Ezekiel 32:24

KJV

There [is] Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is Elam {H5867} and all her multitude {H1995} round about {H5439} her grave {H6900}, all of them slain {H2491}, fallen {H5307} by the sword {H2719}, which are gone down {H3381} uncircumcised {H6189} into the nether parts {H8482} of the earth {H776}, which caused {H5414} their terror {H2851} in the land {H776} of the living {H2416}; yet have they borne {H5375} their shame {H3639} with them that go down {H3381} to the pit {H953}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Eilam is there, with her hordes around her grave, all of them slain, killed by the sword, descended uncircumcised to the underworld, those who terrorized the land of the living; they bear their shame together with those who descended to the pit.

Berean Standard Bible

Elam is there with all her multitudes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who went down uncircumcised to the earth below, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit.

American Standard Version

There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, who caused their terror in the land of the living, and have borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 32:24 is part of a prophetic lament detailing the descent of various formidable nations into Sheol, the realm of the dead, serving as a stark warning to Egypt. This verse specifically focuses on Elam, once a powerful kingdom renowned for its military strength, particularly its archers. It vividly portrays Elam and its vast multitude gathered around their collective grave, all fallen by the sword and gone down "uncircumcised" into the deepest parts of the earth. Despite having once instilled terror in the land of the living, they now bear their shame alongside others who have descended into the pit, underscoring the universal and ignominious fate of all earthly powers before divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of prophetic laments and dirges delivered by Ezekiel against Pharaoh and Egypt, found in [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament over Egypt"). The chapter opens with a "funeral dirge" for Pharaoh, likening him to a great sea monster (leviathan) that God will capture and cast out ([Ezekiel 32:1-16](/ezekiel/32-1 "Ezekiel 32:1 - Dirge for Pharaoh")). Following this, the focus shifts to a detailed description of Sheol, the underworld, where other once-mighty nations already reside in humiliation ([Ezekiel 32:17-32](/ezekiel/32-17 "Ezekiel 32:17 - Nations in Sheol")). Elam is presented as one among several prominent nations—including Assyria ([Ezekiel 32:22](/ezekiel/32-22 "Ezekiel 32:22 - Assyria in Sheol")), Meshech-Tubal, Edom, and Sidon—whose collective downfall serves as a grim precedent and a solemn warning to Egypt that it, too, will share this fate. The repetitive imagery of descent into the pit emphasizes the inescapable nature of God's judgment and the stripping away of earthly glory in death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elam was an ancient civilization located to the east of Mesopotamia, in what is now southwestern Iran. Throughout history, Elam was a significant military power, often clashing with Mesopotamian empires like Assyria and Babylon. They were particularly known for their skilled archers. The reference to "terror in the land of the living" reflects their historical reputation as a formidable and often aggressive kingdom. The concept of "uncircumcised" is deeply significant in the Old Testament, distinguishing covenant people (Israel) from Gentiles. For a nation to go down "uncircumcised" into Sheol was a profound mark of dishonor and spiritual uncleanness in the Israelite worldview, signifying their exclusion from God's covenant blessings and a lack of proper burial rites or spiritual standing. The "nether parts of the earth" or "pit" (Sheol/Hades) was the common ancient Near Eastern understanding of the abode of the dead, a shadowy realm where all, regardless of their earthly status, eventually gathered.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute authority over all nations, regardless of their earthly might. Elam's humiliation illustrates that no human power can escape divine reckoning. Second, the repeated emphasis on the "uncircumcised" highlights the theme of **Covenant and Distinction**, emphasizing the spiritual separation between God's chosen people and those outside His covenant. Their ignominious descent signifies a lack of spiritual honor in death, contrasting sharply with the covenant blessings promised to Abraham's circumcised descendants ([Genesis 17:10-14](/genesis/17-10 "Genesis 17:10 - The Covenant of Circumcision")). Finally, the verse vividly portrays the **Transience of Earthly Glory and the Inevitability of Death**. Elam's past terror is contrasted with its present shame, illustrating that all earthly power, glory, and pride are ultimately stripped away in death, leaving only humiliation in the face of God's judgment, a theme echoed in other prophetic laments over fallen kings ([Isaiah 14:9-11](/isaiah/14-9 "Isaiah 14:9 - The Kings in Sheol")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This word refers to a noisy crowd, a tumult, or a great company. In the context of Elam, it emphasizes the vast number of its warriors and people, highlighting their former strength and the sheer scale of their demise. The "multitude" that once brought terror is now gathered in death, a testament to the comprehensive nature of their fall.
* **Uncircumcised (Hebrew, _ʻârêl'_):** This term literally means "uncovered" or "exposed," referring to the foreskin, and technically denotes someone who has not undergone circumcision. In the Old Testament, it carries significant theological weight, marking a person or nation as outside the covenant with God, often implying spiritual impurity, paganism, or dishonor. Their descent into Sheol as "uncircumcised" signifies a death devoid of covenant honor and spiritual standing before God.
* **Shame (Hebrew, _kᵉlimmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be disgraced" or "to be put to shame," this word signifies confusion, dishonor, or reproach. The phrase "borne their shame" indicates that their former glory has been replaced by utter humiliation in the afterlife, a direct consequence of their unrepentant pride and opposition to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave":** This clause immediately establishes the subject, Elam, and its vast population. The imagery of them being "round about her grave" suggests a collective, perhaps even mass, burial or their gathering in the underworld, emphasizing the totality of their destruction and the shared fate of their entire nation.
* **"all of them slain, fallen by the sword":** This specifies the manner of their demise—violent death in battle. The sword is a symbol of war and divine judgment, indicating that their end was not peaceful but a consequence of conflict, likely at the hand of a conquering power, ultimately orchestrated by God.
* **"which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth":** This critical phrase describes their descent into Sheol ("the nether parts of the earth"). The descriptor "uncircumcised" is a profound mark of dishonor, signifying their spiritual alienation from God and His covenant people. Their burial place is not one of honor but of ignominy.
* **"which caused their terror in the land of the living":** This clause serves as a stark contrast, recalling Elam's former might and reputation. They were once a fearsome power, instilling dread in other nations. This past glory is juxtaposed with their present state of humiliation, highlighting the transient nature of earthly power.
* **"yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit":** The concluding clause reinforces the theme of humiliation. Despite their past terror, they now carry their disgrace into the underworld, sharing the same inglorious fate as all other ungodly nations who descend into the "pit" (another term for Sheol or the grave). Their shame is an indelible mark of their judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 32:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and the transience of earthly power. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of Elam as "her," giving the nation a human-like identity that can have a "grave" and bear "shame." This allows for a more vivid and relatable depiction of its downfall. **Imagery** is richly used, painting a grim picture of "multitude round about her grave," "slain, fallen by the sword," and descending "uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth." These sensory details evoke a strong sense of death, defeat, and dishonor. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, juxtaposing Elam's past reputation for causing "terror in the land of the living" with its present state of bearing "shame" in the pit. This highlights the dramatic reversal of fortune under God's judgment. Furthermore, **Repetition** of themes like "going down" and the state of being "uncircumcised" reinforces the universal and ignominious fate awaiting those outside God's covenant. The overall tone is consistent with a **Dirge** or **Lament**, a mournful poetic form used to lament the death or downfall of a great entity, emphasizing the irreversible nature of Elam's demise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 32:24 powerfully illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and the inevitable judgment that awaits those who oppose Him or live outside His covenant. The fall of Elam, once a formidable power, serves as a testament to the fleeting nature of human might and the ultimate triumph of divine justice. The emphasis on their "uncircumcised" state highlights the Old Testament's distinction between covenant people and Gentiles, underscoring that spiritual standing before God, not earthly strength, determines one's true honor and destiny. This passage reminds us that pride and self-reliance, even on a national scale, ultimately lead to humiliation and disgrace in the face of God's righteous judgment.

* [Isaiah 14:9-11](/isaiah/14-9 "The Kings in Sheol") - Depicts the kings of the earth in Sheol mocking the king of Babylon, highlighting the stripping away of earthly glory in death.
* [Psalm 49:16-17](/psalm/49-16 "Riches Cannot Redeem") - Warns against fearing those who grow rich, for they cannot take their wealth with them into death, reinforcing the transience of earthly possessions and power.
* [Jeremiah 25:15-26](/jeremiah/25-15 "The Cup of God's Wrath") - Describes God's judgment as a "cup of wrath" to be drunk by all nations, including Elam, signifying their shared fate under divine reckoning.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 32:24 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that the principles of divine judgment and the transience of earthly power remain eternally relevant. In a world often captivated by worldly might, economic prowess, or military strength, this verse serves as a sober reminder that all human achievements and empires are ultimately ephemeral and subject to God's sovereign will. It calls us to examine where we place our trust and derive our sense of security and identity. Are we building our lives on the shifting sands of worldly success and recognition, or on the unshakeable foundation of God's eternal covenant? The shame borne by Elam underscores the ultimate futility of pride and self-sufficiency apart from God. This passage encourages a posture of humility, recognizing that true honor and lasting significance come not from human accolades or power, but from a right relationship with the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to place trust in earthly power or achievements rather than in God?**
* **How does the concept of "bearing shame" in death challenge my understanding of success and legacy in this life?**
* **What does "uncircumcised" mean for me spiritually in light of the New Testament's emphasis on a circumcision of the heart?**
* **How can I live in a way that acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and my own life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Elam in this prophecy?**

Answer: Elam was a historically significant and militarily powerful kingdom located east of Mesopotamia, known for its skilled archers and frequent conflicts with empires like Assyria and Babylon. In Ezekiel's prophecy, Elam serves as a prime example of a once-feared nation that has already fallen to God's judgment and descended into Sheol. Its inclusion alongside other prominent nations like [Assyria](/ezekiel/32-22 "Ezekiel 32:22 - Assyria in Sheol") and Meshech-Tubal ([Ezekiel 32:26](/ezekiel/32-26 "Ezekiel 32:26 - Meshech-Tubal in Sheol")) is meant to underscore the universal nature of divine judgment and to warn Egypt that its own mighty power is no exception to this inevitable fate.

**What does it mean for a nation to go down "uncircumcised" into the nether parts of the earth?**

Answer: In the Old Testament context, "uncircumcised" was a term that primarily distinguished Gentiles from the covenant people of Israel. Circumcision was the physical sign of the covenant God made with Abraham ([Genesis 17:10-14](/genesis/17-10 "Genesis 17:10 - The Covenant of Circumcision")). For a nation to go down "uncircumcised" into Sheol (the "nether parts of the earth" or "pit") meant they died without the covenant mark, signifying a lack of spiritual honor, a state of impurity, and exclusion from the blessings and promises associated with God's chosen people. It conveyed a profound sense of disgrace and spiritual alienation in their death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 32:24, with its grim portrayal of nations descending into the pit, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of Jesus Christ over sin, death, and the grave. The "shame" borne by the uncircumcised nations in Sheol stands in stark contrast to the honor and eternal life offered through Christ. While physical circumcision marked the Old Covenant, the New Testament reveals a spiritual circumcision of the heart, "by the cutting off of the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ" ([Colossians 2:11](/colossians/2-11 "Colossians 2:11 - Circumcision of Christ")). Those who are "in Christ" are no longer defined by their earthly origin or physical status, but by their spiritual union with Him, having been raised with Him through faith ([Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Raised with Christ")). Christ's death and resurrection conquered the very "pit" that swallowed Elam and other nations, for He "descended into the lower parts of the earth" ([Ephesians 4:9](/ephesians/4-9 "Ephesians 4:9 - Christ's Descent")) and emerged victorious, holding "the keys of Death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). Thus, the terror and shame of death for the ungodly are overcome by the hope and glory of eternal life for those who are spiritually circumcised by faith in Jesus, who is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 32:18

Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, [even] her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.

Genesis 10:22

The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

Jeremiah 49:34

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 49:39

But it shall come to pass in the latter days, [that] I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 32:25

They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves [are] round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of [them that be] slain.

Ezekiel 32:30

There [be] the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with [them that be] slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 26:20

When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;