Ezekiel 38:20

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that [are] upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

So that the fishes {H1709} of the sea {H3220}, and the fowls {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}, and the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704}, and all creeping things {H7431} that creep {H7430} upon the earth {H127}, and all the men {H120} that are upon the face {H6440} of the earth {H127}, shall shake {H7493} at my presence {H6440}, and the mountains {H2022} shall be thrown down {H2040}, and the steep places {H4095} shall fall {H5307}, and every wall {H2346} shall fall {H5307} to the ground {H776}.

so that the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the wild beasts, all the reptiles creeping on the ground and every human being there in the land will tremble before me. Mountains will fall, cliffs crumble and every wall crash to the ground.

The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that crawls upon the ground, and all mankind on the face of the earth will tremble at My presence. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground.

so that the fishes of the sea, and the birds of the heavens, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:20 is a vivid and dramatic verse that describes the universal reaction to God’s direct intervention in the Gog-Magog prophecy, a significant event often interpreted as occurring in the latter days.

Context

This verse is part of the extensive prophecy found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, detailing a massive invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations led by "Gog of the land of Magog." The invasion is presented as a divine setup, orchestrated by God to demonstrate His power and holiness to the world. Ezekiel 38:20 immediately follows a description of a great earthquake that will shake the land of Israel (Ezekiel 38:19). The shaking described here is the profound, all-encompassing consequence of God's powerful presence and judgment upon the invading forces, intended to protect His covenant people and reveal His unmatched sovereignty.

Key Themes

  • Universal Impact of Divine Judgment: The verse emphasizes that God's power affects not just humans but every part of creation—from "fishes of the sea" to "fowls of the heaven" and "beasts of the field." This highlights the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's judgment and His absolute control over all living things.
  • God's Awesome Presence: The phrase "shall shake at my presence" underscores that the cataclysmic events are a direct result of the Almighty God revealing Himself in power. This is not a natural disaster but a supernatural manifestation of divine authority and wrath.
  • Collapse of All Stability: "Mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground." Mountains and walls symbolize stability, strength, and human defense. Their collapse signifies that no earthly power, natural barrier, or human construction can withstand God's might. This theme of creation shaking before God's presence is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Hebrews 12:26.
  • Divine Protection of Israel: While terrifying for the invaders, this judgment serves as a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness to His people, Israel, ensuring their safety and vindication against overwhelming odds. This divine intervention is central to the Gog and Magog prophecy.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "shake" here is ra'ash (רָעַשׁ), which conveys a strong sense of trembling, quaking, or violent agitation. It is often used to describe earthquakes or the shaking associated with a powerful divine manifestation, such as at Mount Sinai when God delivered the law. This term emphasizes the profound and physical response of the entire creation to the overwhelming power and majesty of God's direct intervention.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 38:20 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and control over all things. In a world often filled with chaos and uncertainty, this verse reassures believers that God remains on His throne, capable of executing His will on a global scale. It calls for humility and reverence before such an awesome God, demonstrating that no human power or natural force can ever stand against Him. For those who trust in Him, it offers immense comfort in knowing that God is a protector and deliverer, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable threats. For those who oppose Him, it is a stark warning of inevitable judgment.

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.

  • Hosea 4:3

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

  • Nahum 1:4

    He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

  • Nahum 1:6

    Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Revelation 6:13

    And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

  • Zechariah 14:4

    And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, [and there shall be] a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

  • Zechariah 14:5

    And ye shall flee [to] the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, [and] all the saints with thee.

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