Ezekiel 39:10

KJV

So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

So that they shall take {H5375} no wood {H6086} out of the field {H7704}, neither cut down {H2404} any out of the forests {H3293}; for they shall burn {H1197} the weapons {H5402} with fire {H784}: and they shall spoil {H7997} those that spoiled {H7997} them, and rob {H962} those that robbed {H962} them, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that they will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut down any from the forests; because they will use the weapons for fire. Thus they will plunder those who plundered them and rob those who robbed them,' says Adonai ELOHIM.

Berean Standard Bible

They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.

American Standard Version

so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall make fires of the weapons; and they shall plunder those that plundered them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 39:10 vividly portrays the aftermath of God's decisive victory over Gog and his vast confederacy, illustrating the profound reversal of fortune for Israel. This verse reveals that the sheer abundance of abandoned enemy weaponry will be so great that the Israelites will use them as fuel, eliminating the need to gather wood from their fields and forests. It culminates in a declaration of divine justice, where those who sought to plunder Israel are themselves plundered, underscoring the absolute certainty of God's sovereign word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic prophetic narrative of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, which detail the eschatological invasion of Israel by Gog from the land of Magog and God's miraculous, overwhelming destruction of his forces. Following the description of the catastrophic defeat on the mountains of Israel, verse 10 specifically describes one practical consequence of this victory. It builds upon the preceding verses that emphasize the immense scale of the enemy's defeat, particularly [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - Burning Weapons for Seven Years"), which states that the weapons will be burned for seven years. This immediate context highlights God's comprehensive provision and the complete vanquishing of Israel's formidable foe, transforming instruments of war into sources of sustenance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern warfare, plundering the defeated enemy was a common practice, a sign of victory and a source of wealth. However, the specific act described here—using weapons as fuel—is highly unusual and points to an extraordinary scenario. Wood and other fuel sources were precious commodities in ancient Israel, often requiring significant labor to gather from fields and forests. The imagery of not needing to gather wood for an extended period (implied by the seven years in the preceding verse) underscores the unprecedented scale of the divine intervention and the resulting abundance. This also reflects a cultural understanding of divine judgment, where the aggressor's plans are turned back upon them, and their very means of aggression become a source of benefit for the intended victim.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 39:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and biblical prophecy. It exemplifies **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating God's absolute control over nations and His unwavering commitment to vindicate His covenant people. The reversal of roles, where Israel "spoils those that spoiled them," is a potent expression of **Retributive Justice** and **Divine Vindication**. Furthermore, the transformation of instruments of war into fuel sources highlights **God's Provision** in unexpected ways, turning destruction into sustenance. This also reinforces the theme of **Certainty of Prophecy**, as the concluding phrase "saith the Lord GOD" (a recurring oracle formula in Ezekiel) powerfully affirms the divine origin and guaranteed fulfillment of these events, echoing the assurance found in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **burn (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** H1197. This primitive root signifies to kindle or consume, often by fire. In this context, it emphasizes the thorough and complete destruction of the weapons by incineration, transforming them into a usable resource. The act of burning here is not merely disposal but repurposing for sustenance, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the enemy's utter defeat.
* **weapons (Hebrew, _nesheq'_):** H5402. This term refers specifically to military equipment, encompassing both offensive and defensive arms. The focus on "weapons" underscores the irony and divine reversal: the very instruments intended for Israel's destruction become the means of their comfort and provision, symbolizing the complete disarmament of their enemies and the end of their threat.
* **spoil (Hebrew, _shâlal'_):** H7997. This root means to drop or strip, and by implication, to plunder. The repetition of "spoil those that spoiled them" (and "rob those that robbed them") is a powerful example of **poetic justice**. It signifies a complete reversal of fortune, where the aggressors who came to plunder Israel are themselves plundered, demonstrating God's active role in vindicating His people and turning the tables on their adversaries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests":** This clause describes the extraordinary abundance of the spoils. The implication is that the quantity of enemy weapons is so vast that it will entirely replace Israel's traditional sources of fuel for an extended period, negating the need for the laborious task of gathering wood from their natural environment.
* **"for they shall burn the weapons with fire":** This provides the direct reason for the preceding statement. The instruments of war, which were meant to bring destruction and death, are repurposed for life-sustaining warmth and cooking. This transformation underscores the totality of the enemy's defeat and God's surprising provision for His people.
* **"and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them":** This powerful parallel clause declares the divine justice executed upon the invaders. Gog and his allies came with the intention of plundering Israel (as stated in [Ezekiel 38:12](/ezekiel/38-12 "Ezekiel 38:12 - Gog's Intent to Plunder Israel")), but God ensures that the tables are turned. Israel, the intended victim, becomes the one who takes spoil from their defeated aggressors, illustrating a complete reversal of fortune and a clear demonstration of God's righteous judgment.
* **"saith the Lord GOD":** This concluding phrase serves as a divine oracle formula, frequently used throughout the book of Ezekiel. It functions as an authoritative stamp, emphasizing that the preceding prophecy is not a mere human prediction but a certain and unchangeable declaration from the sovereign God, guaranteeing its fulfillment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 39:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the implication that the sheer volume of enemy weapons will negate the need for traditional fuel sources for an extended period (seven years, as mentioned in the preceding verse). This exaggeration emphasizes the overwhelming scale of God's victory and the abundance of the spoils. **Irony** is powerfully present as instruments of war, designed for destruction, are transformed into sources of warmth and sustenance, highlighting God's ability to repurpose evil for good. The phrase "spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them" utilizes **Parallelism** and **Chiasmus** (a reversal of grammatical structures in successive phrases) to underscore the dramatic reversal of roles and the precise nature of divine justice. Finally, the recurring **Oracle Formula**, "saith the Lord GOD," serves as a divine **Fiat**, imbuing the prophecy with absolute authority and certainty, leaving no doubt about its inevitable fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 39:10 profoundly illustrates God's comprehensive victory over evil and His faithful provision for His people. The transformation of instruments of war into sources of fuel symbolizes God's ability to turn even the most destructive forces into means of blessing and sustenance for His chosen ones. This not only speaks to a future, literal fulfillment but also carries a timeless theological truth: God's justice ensures that those who seek to harm His people will ultimately face His judgment, and their malicious intentions will be turned back upon themselves. This passage offers a powerful vision of ultimate peace and security, where the very tools of conflict are rendered obsolete and repurposed for life, reflecting a divine economy where nothing is wasted in the outworking of God's redemptive plan.

* [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares")
* [Psalm 46:9](/psalm/46-9 "Psalm 46:9 - God Ends Wars")
* [Revelation 19:17-21](/revelation/19-17 "Revelation 19:17-21 - The Great Supper of God and Final Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 39:10 offers a profound source of encouragement and a challenge to our perspective. It reminds us that God's victory is not merely defensive but transformative. He doesn't just repel the enemy; He repurposes the very instruments of their aggression for the good of His people. This speaks to God's incredible resourcefulness and sovereignty, assuring us that even the most destructive experiences or intentions directed against us can be turned by His hand into surprising sources of provision, comfort, or growth. It calls us to trust in God's ultimate justice and His ability to vindicate His own, even when circumstances seem dire or when we feel exploited. We are invited to look beyond immediate threats and recognize that God's long-term plan involves not just deliverance, but abundant provision and peace, where the tools of conflict are disarmed and transformed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of burning weapons for fuel challenge our conventional understanding of divine provision and victory?**
* **In what areas of our lives do we need to trust God to reverse fortunes, turning situations intended for harm into sources of unexpected blessing or sustenance?**
* **What does the declaration "saith the Lord GOD" at the end of this verse mean for our confidence in the certainty and authority of God's promises in our own lives today?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of burning weapons for fuel instead of wood?**

Answer: The act of burning weapons for fuel, as opposed to gathering wood from fields and forests, carries profound significance. First, it highlights the immense, unprecedented quantity of abandoned enemy armaments, so vast that they can entirely replace traditional fuel sources for an extended period (implied to be seven years by [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - Weapons Burned for Seven Years")). Second, it symbolizes God's complete and total victory over the enemy, rendering their instruments of war utterly useless for their original purpose. Third, and perhaps most importantly, it demonstrates God's abundant provision for His people, transforming objects of destruction into sources of warmth, light, and sustenance, showcasing His ability to bring good out of what was intended for evil.

**Who are "those that spoiled them" and "those that robbed them" in this verse?**

Answer: "Those that spoiled them" and "those that robbed them" refer to Gog and his vast confederacy of nations, whose stated intention in invading Israel was to "take a spoil, and to take a prey" ([Ezekiel 38:12](/ezekiel/38-12 "Ezekiel 38:12 - Gog's Intent to Plunder Israel")). This verse describes a dramatic reversal of fortune and a powerful act of divine justice. The very nations that came to plunder and rob Israel are themselves utterly defeated and plundered by the Israelites, showcasing God's vindication of His people and His righteous judgment against their aggressors.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 39:10, with its imagery of ultimate victory, divine provision, and the transformation of instruments of war into sources of life, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the prophecy has a specific eschatological context, its underlying principles point to the comprehensive victory achieved through the cross and resurrection. Christ's triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness disarmed the true enemies of humanity, just as the weapons of Gog were rendered useless. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers") declares that Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The peace and security promised to Israel, where war's tools are consumed, foreshadow the spiritual peace believers have in Christ, who broke down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Ultimately, the burning of weapons anticipates the final establishment of God's eternal kingdom, where all instruments of conflict will be utterly abolished, and God will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow")), a reality secured by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

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

Isaiah 33:1

¶ Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou [wast] not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; [and] when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.

Isaiah 14:2

And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

Micah 5:8

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Exodus 12:36

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them [such things as they required]. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

Habakkuk 3:8

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? [was] thine anger against the rivers? [was] thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses [and] thy chariots of salvation?

Zephaniah 2:9

Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.