Ezekiel 38:19

KJV

For in my jealousy [and] in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

KJV (with Strong's)

For in my jealousy {H7068} and in the fire {H784} of my wrath {H5678} have I spoken {H1696}, Surely in that day {H3117} there shall be a great {H1419} shaking {H7494} in the land {H127} of Israel {H3478};

Complete Jewish Bible

In my jealousy, in my heated fury I speak: when that day comes there will be a great earthquake in the land of Isra'el;

Berean Standard Bible

In My zeal and fiery rage I proclaim that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.

American Standard Version

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 38:19 declares God's fervent and righteous response to the future invasion of Israel by Gog and his confederacy. Driven by His divine jealousy and fiery wrath, the Lord pronounces a cataclysmic "great shaking" upon the land of Israel on "that day" of invasion. This pronouncement underscores God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, and His ultimate demonstration of power and justice against those who oppose His will and threaten His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 38:19 is a pivotal verse within the extensive prophetic oracle of [Ezekiel 38-39](/ezekiel/38 "Ezekiel 38-39 - The Prophecy of Gog and Magog"). This two-chapter section details a future, massive invasion of the land of Israel by a coalition of nations led by "Gog of the land of Magog." The preceding verses (Ezekiel 38:1-18) meticulously describe the assembly of this vast army, their predatory intentions to plunder a seemingly secure and prosperous Israel, and God's foreknowledge of their plans. Verse 19 marks a dramatic shift from the description of the enemy's advance to God's direct, impassioned, and overwhelming intervention. It sets the stage for the divine judgment and catastrophic defeat of Gog's forces, which unfolds in the subsequent verses, including the detailed physical manifestations of the "great shaking" in [Ezekiel 38:20-22](/ezekiel/38-20 "Ezekiel 38:20-22 - God's Judgment on Gog"). This verse functions as the divine declaration of war, articulating the Lord's personal indignation and the nature of His impending action.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Ezekiel 38-39 was delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC), a period of profound national humiliation and theological questioning for Israel. The people had lost their land, temple, and sovereignty. In this context, prophecies like Ezekiel 38-39 served to assure them of God's ultimate faithfulness and His future restoration and vindication of Israel, even against formidable future threats. The concept of God's "jealousy" and "wrath" was deeply rooted in Israelite understanding of the covenant; God's zeal was for His own honor and the protection of His covenant people, while His wrath was a righteous response to idolatry, injustice, and opposition to His divine plan, as seen in numerous instances throughout the Old Testament, such as God's judgment on Egypt in [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues on Egypt"). The "land of Israel" (`H127` *ʼădâmâh*) was not merely a geographical location but the promised inheritance, the place of God's dwelling, and the stage for His redemptive history. Any attack on it was an affront to God Himself.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, demonstrating that even the most formidable human forces are utterly subject to God's control and judgment. God's declaration, "have I spoken," emphasizes His authoritative word as the initiator of all events. Another critical theme is **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Protective Zeal for Israel**. Despite Israel's past unfaithfulness, God remains fiercely protective of His chosen people and land, intervening decisively on their behalf. This is explicitly tied to His "jealousy" (`H7068` *qinʼâh*), which is not human envy but a holy, zealous passion for His own glory and the well-being of His covenant people, as also seen in [Ezekiel 39:25](/ezekiel/39-25 "Ezekiel 39:25 - God's Jealousy for His Holy Name"). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, where God's "fire of my wrath" (`H784` *ʼêsh* of `H5678` *ʻebrâh*) signifies a righteous, consuming indignation against evil and those who defy His authority, culminating in a dramatic, world-altering "shaking" (`H7494` *raʻash*).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **jealousy (Hebrew, _qinʼâh'_):** From the root `קָנָא` (qana), this term signifies a fervent, intense passion or zeal. In divine contexts, as here, it is not a negative human emotion but God's righteous, protective fervor for His own honor, His covenant, and His people. It expresses His intolerance of rivals and His zealous commitment to vindicate His name and defend what is rightfully His.
* **wrath (Hebrew, _ʻebrâh'_):** This feminine noun, derived from `עֵבֶר` (ʻeber), denotes an outburst of intense passion, fury, or indignation. When applied to God, it describes His righteous anger and decisive judgment against sin, rebellion, and opposition to His divine will. It is often associated with consuming fire, indicating its destructive and purifying power.
* **shaking (Hebrew, _raʻash'_):** This word refers to a vibration, bounding, uproar, or commotion. While it can denote a literal earthquake (as in [Ezekiel 38:20](/ezekiel/38-20 "Ezekiel 38:20 - The Great Earthquake")), in prophetic literature, it often carries a broader meaning of a profound, divinely initiated disruption – a societal, political, or cosmic upheaval that signals God's powerful presence and judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken,"**: This opening clause reveals the divine motivation and the authoritative nature of God's impending action. God's "jealousy" is His holy zeal for His own glory and His protective passion for Israel, His covenant people and the land He has given them. The "fire of my wrath" emphasizes the intensity and consuming nature of His righteous indignation against those who dare to assault His chosen nation. The phrase "have I spoken" underscores that this is not a mere emotional reaction but a deliberate, sovereign decree, a prophetic declaration that guarantees its fulfillment. It is God's personal, impassioned word that sets the catastrophic events in motion.
* **"Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;"**: This clause declares the immediate and dramatic consequence of God's jealous wrath. "That day" points to the specific, divinely appointed time of Gog's invasion, marking it as a day of reckoning. The "great shaking" signifies a massive, unprecedented upheaval. While it explicitly includes a literal earthquake (as detailed in subsequent verses), it also implies a broader, comprehensive disruption that will affect the land, its inhabitants, and the invading forces. This shaking is God's direct, overwhelming intervention, designed to utterly defeat Israel's enemies and to demonstrate His supreme power and holiness to all nations.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 38:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominent, attributing human emotions like "jealousy" and "wrath" to God. This helps human readers grasp the intensity of God's commitment and indignation, even though divine emotions transcend human experience. The phrase "fire of my wrath" is a vivid **Metaphor**, portraying God's anger not as a fleeting emotion but as a consuming, purifying, and destructive force. The declaration of a "great shaking" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the unprecedented scale and severity of the coming judgment, suggesting an event far beyond ordinary seismic activity, encompassing a complete overturning of the status quo. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a piece of **Prophetic Language**, using future tense and declarative statements to foretell a divinely ordained event, asserting God's absolute control over history and His unwavering commitment to His promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 38:19 profoundly reveals the active, personal nature of God in history, especially concerning His covenant people. It underscores that God is not a distant, dispassionate deity but one who fiercely defends His honor and His chosen ones. His "jealousy" is a holy attribute, signifying His exclusive claim over Israel and His zeal for His own glory, while His "wrath" is a righteous and just response to evil and rebellion. This divine intervention, culminating in a "great shaking," serves as a powerful demonstration of His sovereignty, ensuring that all nations will ultimately know that He is the Lord. The passage affirms God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even in the face of overwhelming odds, and establishes a precedent for future divine interventions on behalf of His people.

* [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God is a Consuming Fire")
* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - God is Jealous and Avenging")
* [Hebrews 12:26-29](/hebrews/12-26 "Hebrews 12:26-29 - The Shaking of Heaven and Earth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 38:19 offers profound reassurance and a solemn warning for believers today. It reminds us that our God is not indifferent to the injustices and threats in the world, nor is He passive concerning the well-being of His people. His "jealousy" for His name means He is actively invested in upholding His glory and defending those who belong to Him. This should instill deep confidence and trust, knowing that even when global events seem chaotic or overwhelming, God remains sovereign and will ultimately intervene to fulfill His purposes. Furthermore, the "fire of His wrath" and the "great shaking" serve as a stark reminder of divine justice. While God is merciful and patient, He is also righteous, and ultimately, all evil and opposition to His will will face His decisive judgment. This should motivate us to live in reverent awe of Him, to align our lives with His will, and to share the good news of His salvation before the day of His ultimate reckoning.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "jealousy" as a holy, protective zeal, rather than human envy, deepen your appreciation for His character?**
* **In what ways might the "great shaking" described in this verse relate to or foreshadow other times of divine intervention and judgment in history or prophecy?**
* **How does the certainty of God's righteous wrath and judgment on evil influence your prayer life and your witness to the world?**
* **What specific challenges or threats in your life or in the world today can you entrust to God's sovereign protection, knowing His fierce commitment to His people?**

### FAQ
**What does "jealousy" mean when attributed to God in this verse?**

Answer: When the Bible attributes "jealousy" (`H7068` *qinʼâh*) to God, it is fundamentally different from human jealousy, which often stems from insecurity or envy. Divine jealousy is a holy, righteous, and zealous passion for His own honor, glory, and exclusive right to worship. It signifies His absolute commitment to His covenant with His people and His intolerance of anything that would usurp His rightful place or harm those He has chosen. In Ezekiel 38:19, God's jealousy is His fierce, protective love for Israel and His determination to defend them and His holy name against any who would defy Him or seek to plunder His land, as seen in [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God is a Jealous God"). It's a manifestation of His faithfulness and His unyielding resolve to vindicate His sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 38:19, with its declaration of God's jealous wrath and the ensuing "great shaking," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context points to a future physical judgment on Israel's enemies, the underlying principles of divine sovereignty, protective zeal, and righteous judgment are perfectly embodied in Christ. He is the one through whom God's wrath against sin is fully expressed and satisfied at the cross, yet also the one through whom God's people are ultimately protected and delivered. The "shaking" described here foreshadows the ultimate shaking of all things, both heaven and earth, that will occur at Christ's return, as described in [Hebrews 12:26-27](/hebrews/12-26 "The Shaking of Heaven and Earth"). In that day, only the unshakeable kingdom of Christ will remain. Jesus Himself is the "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world, but also the Lion of Judah who will return in righteous judgment, wielding the "fire of His wrath" against all who oppose Him ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, God's jealous zeal for His people is ultimately fulfilled in Christ's unwavering commitment to His church, His bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")), and His final triumph over all hostile forces, establishing His eternal, unshakeable reign ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")).

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

Haggai 2:6

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it [is] a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry [land];

Haggai 2:7

And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Joel 3:16

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

Revelation 16:18

And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.

Revelation 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 16:20

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

Ezekiel 5:13

Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.