Ezekiel 39:17

And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, [even] a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

And, thou son {H1121} of man {H120}, thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Speak {H559} unto every feathered {H3671} fowl {H6833}, and to every beast {H2416} of the field {H7704}, Assemble {H6908} yourselves, and come {H935}; gather {H622} yourselves on every side {H5439} to my sacrifice {H2077} that I do sacrifice {H2076} for you, even a great {H1419} sacrifice {H2077} upon the mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, that ye may eat {H398} flesh {H1320}, and drink {H8354} blood {H1818}.

"As for you, human, Adonai ELOHIM says that you are to speak to all kinds of birds and to every wild animal as follows: 'Assemble yourselves and come, gather yourselves from all around for the sacrifice I am preparing for you, a great sacrifice on the mountains of Isra'el, where you can eat flesh and drink blood!

And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.

And thou, son of man, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Speak unto the birds of every sort, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh and drink blood.

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 39:17

Ezekiel 39:17 is part of a dramatic prophetic passage (Ezekiel 38-39) describing God's climactic judgment upon Gog of Magog and his vast coalition of armies, who invade Israel in the latter days. Following the detailed account of their overwhelming defeat on the mountains of Israel, this verse vividly portrays the aftermath. It is a divine summons to the birds of prey and wild beasts to feast upon the slain invaders, emphasizing the totality and finality of God's victory.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over all nations and events. He orchestrates the entire scene, calling the scavengers to a "sacrifice" that is, in fact, a feast of judgment upon those who opposed Him. This underscores His supreme authority and justice.
  • Ironic "Sacrifice": The term "sacrifice" (Hebrew: zebach) typically refers to an offering made to God, often involving a communal meal. Here, it is used with stark irony. The slaughtered armies of Gog become the "sacrifice," and the birds and beasts are the "guests" invited to partake in a gruesome feast. This imagery highlights the complete annihilation of God's enemies.
  • Restoration and Vindication of Israel: The defeat of Gog and his hordes ensures the security and peace of Israel, allowing them to dwell safely in their land. This divine intervention serves to vindicate God's name among the nations and demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His covenant people.
  • Prophetic Imagery: The vivid and somewhat macabre imagery serves to emphasize the overwhelming scale of the judgment and the thoroughness of God's victory. It is a powerful picture of divine retribution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou son of man" (Hebrew: ben adam) is God's consistent address to Ezekiel throughout the book, highlighting the prophet's humanity in contrast to the divine speaker, the "Lord GOD" (Hebrew: Adonai Yahweh), a title emphasizing God's sovereign mastery and covenant faithfulness.

The use of "sacrifice" (zebach) for the slain armies is a significant linguistic twist. While a zebach could be a peace offering, it could also refer to a general slaughter or feast. In this context, it's a dramatic reversal, turning a concept of worship into one of utter destruction and consumption by scavengers, underscoring the severity of God's judgment.

Related Scriptures

This imagery of birds and beasts feasting on the fallen armies is echoed in other prophetic books, particularly in the New Testament. A notable parallel is found in Revelation 19:17-18, where an angel calls all the fowls of heaven to gather for "the supper of the great God," to eat the flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men after the battle of Armageddon. This connection suggests a consistent prophetic theme of divine judgment culminating in such a feast of scavengers.

The broader context of God's victory over Gog can be explored further by examining Ezekiel chapter 38, which details the invasion itself and God's powerful intervention to protect His people.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 39:17 reminds us of God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. For believers, it offers assurance that God will ultimately triumph over all evil and opposition. It underscores the seriousness of opposing God's will and the certainty of divine judgment for those who defy Him. While the imagery is intense, it serves as a powerful reminder that God is fully in control of history and will fulfill His promises, bringing both judgment to His enemies and ultimate peace and security to His people.

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Cross-References

  • Revelation 19:17

    And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

  • Revelation 19:18

    That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all [men, both] free and bond, both small and great.

  • Zephaniah 1:7

    ¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

  • Jeremiah 12:9

    Mine heritage [is] unto me [as] a speckled bird, the birds round about [are] against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

  • Ezekiel 39:4

    Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that [is] with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and [to] the beasts of the field to be devoured.

  • Isaiah 34:6

    The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

  • Isaiah 56:9

    ¶ All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, [yea], all ye beasts in the forest.