Ezekiel 39:19

KJV

And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall eat {H398} fat {H2459} till ye be full {H7654}, and drink {H8354} blood {H1818} till ye be drunken {H7943}, of my sacrifice {H2077} which I have sacrificed {H2076} for you.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will eat fat till you are gorged and drink blood till you are drunk at the sacrifice I have prepared for you.

Berean Standard Bible

At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk.

American Standard Version

And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 39:19 presents a grotesque yet profoundly significant prophetic vision, depicting the aftermath of God's decisive judgment against the invading forces of Gog and Magog. It serves as a divine invitation to the birds of prey and beasts of the field to feast upon the immense slaughter, emphasizing the totality of God's victory and the absolute destruction of His enemies, all performed as a "sacrifice" for the vindication and deliverance of His people, Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic Gog and Magog prophecy found in [Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39](/ezekiel/38 "Ezekiel 38 - Prophecy Against Gog"). Following the detailed description of Gog's massive invasion of Israel and God's supernatural intervention to utterly destroy them (see [Ezekiel 38:18-23](/ezekiel/38-18 "Ezekiel 38:18-23 - God's Fury Against Gog")), Ezekiel 39:17-20 issues a chilling divine summons. This "great sacrifice" (Ezekiel 39:17) or "great supper of God" (Ezekiel 39:17, echoing [Revelation 19:17-18](/revelation/19-17 "Revelation 19:17-18 - The Supper of the Great God")) is an invitation to every winged bird and beast of the field to gorge themselves on the flesh and blood of the fallen armies. Verse 19 specifically details the gruesome abundance of this feast, highlighting the sheer scale of the judgment. The immediate literary context thus underscores the finality and overwhelming nature of God's victory.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Ezekiel's prophecy against Gog and Magog is primarily eschatological, pointing to a future, climactic battle, its imagery draws heavily from ancient Near Eastern concepts of warfare and divine judgment. In this cultural milieu, the public display of defeated enemies, often left unburied for scavengers, was a powerful symbol of utter humiliation and divine curse. The idea of a "feast" upon the slain was not uncommon in prophetic literature, serving as a stark metaphor for the comprehensive nature of God's wrath against those who oppose Him. The "sacrifice" mentioned here is not a sin offering but a "slaughter" or "feast" (Hebrew *zebach*), a concept that could encompass a celebratory meal or a sacrificial act of judgment, demonstrating God's power and justice on a grand scale, similar to how a king might prepare a feast after a great military victory.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 39:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over nations and history, and His unwavering commitment to execute justice against evil (e.g., [Ezekiel 38:23](/ezekiel/38-23 "Ezekiel 38:23 - God's Glory Revealed")). The verse also highlights **God's Vindication of Israel**; the gruesome feast is explicitly stated as "my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you," underscoring that this judgment is performed *on behalf of* His covenant people, demonstrating His faithfulness to protect them (compare [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The LORD Will Fight for You")). Furthermore, the imagery contributes to the theme of **God's Glory Revealed to the Nations**, as the spectacular defeat of Gog serves as an undeniable demonstration of Yahweh's power to all who witness or hear of it (e.g., [Ezekiel 39:21-22](/ezekiel/39-21 "Ezekiel 39:21-22 - God's Glory and Israel's Restoration")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fat (Hebrew, _cheleb'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be fat," this word refers to the richest or choicest part of an animal. In the context of a sacrifice, the fat was often reserved for God as the "best" portion. Here, its consumption by scavengers emphasizes the abundance and richness of the spoils of judgment, signifying the complete and utter destruction of the enemy, leaving nothing but the most desirable parts for the feast.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** This term signifies the life force of a creature, often associated with life or death. The command to "drink blood till ye be drunken" is a vivid and horrifying image of the sheer quantity of slain bodies. It underscores the totality of the slaughter, as blood represents the very essence of life poured out in death, indicating an unprecedented scale of demise.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** Derived from the root "to slaughter," this word properly denotes a slaughter, the flesh of an animal, or by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act). In Ezekiel 39:19, it is not a sin offering for atonement but a "slaughter-sacrifice" or "feast-sacrifice" of judgment. God Himself is the one who "sacrificed" (H2076, *zâbach*) the enemies, turning their destruction into a divinely orchestrated offering, a testament to His power and justice on behalf of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall eat fat till ye be full":** This clause addresses the birds and beasts of the field, inviting them to consume the "fat" of the slain armies. The term "fat" (cheleb) highlights the choicest, most abundant parts, emphasizing the immense quantity and quality of the "meat" available. The phrase "till ye be full" underscores the overwhelming number of corpses, so vast that even the scavengers will be completely sated.
* **"and drink blood till ye be drunken":** This graphic continuation intensifies the imagery, commanding the scavengers to drink "blood" (dâm) to the point of "drunkenness" (shikkârôwn). This hyperbole vividly portrays the unprecedented scale of the slaughter, indicating rivers of blood from the countless fallen warriors. It signifies the absolute and total annihilation of the enemy forces.
* **"of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you":** This concluding phrase is crucial for understanding the theological significance. The "sacrifice" (zebach) here is not an atoning offering but a divine act of judgment and slaughter. God explicitly states it is "my sacrifice," indicating His direct agency in this destruction. The phrase "which I have sacrificed for you" clarifies the purpose: this colossal act of judgment is performed by God *on behalf of* Israel, for their deliverance and vindication, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 39:19 is rich with **Hyperbole**, using extreme exaggeration to convey the unimaginable scale of destruction. The idea of animals eating "fat till ye be full" and drinking "blood till ye be drunken" is not meant to be taken literally in its physiological implications for the animals, but rather to impress upon the reader the sheer, overwhelming abundance of the slain. This vivid imagery also employs **Symbolism**, where the "fat" and "blood" symbolize the totality and richness of the spoils of judgment, representing the complete eradication of God's enemies. The entire scene functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine judgment, transforming a battlefield into a sacrificial altar where God Himself is the one offering the "sacrifice" of His enemies, a testament to His sovereignty and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 39:19 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His ultimate triumph over all forces that oppose His divine will and His people. The "sacrifice" described is a profound demonstration of God's active involvement in history, not merely as an observer but as the sovereign Lord who executes judgment. This passage underscores that God's actions, even those involving immense destruction, are purposeful, serving to vindicate His holiness, reveal His glory, and secure the deliverance of His chosen ones. It paints a picture of a God who fights for His people, ensuring that evil will not ultimately prevail.

* [Revelation 19:17-18](/revelation/19-17 "Revelation 19:17-18 - The Great Supper of God")
* [Isaiah 34:6](/isaiah/34-6 "Isaiah 34:6 - God's Sword Gorged with Blood")
* [Zephaniah 1:7-8](/zephaniah/1-7 "Zephaniah 1:7-8 - The Day of the LORD's Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the imagery of Ezekiel 39:19 is undeniably graphic, its spiritual application for believers today is one of profound assurance and hope. This verse reminds us that God is ultimately sovereign over all nations, powers, and historical events. No matter how formidable the forces of evil may appear, God's justice will prevail, and His purposes for His people will be fulfilled. For those who trust in Him, this passage offers comfort in knowing that God fights for His own, and His ultimate victory is assured. It calls us to place our faith not in human strength or political power, but in the omnipotent God who orchestrates history and will bring all things to their appointed end, revealing His glory to all creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the graphic imagery of this verse deepen your understanding of God's justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God fighting "for you" (Israel, and by extension, believers) bring you comfort or challenge?**
* **How should the certainty of God's ultimate victory over evil influence our perspective on current global challenges and spiritual battles?**

### FAQ

**Who are 'ye' being addressed in this verse?**

Answer: The "ye" in Ezekiel 39:19 refers to the birds of prey and beasts of the field, as explicitly stated in the preceding verses (Ezekiel 39:17-18). God issues a divine summons to these scavengers to come and feast upon the slain armies of Gog and Magog, emphasizing the vast scale of the destruction and the complete annihilation of His enemies.

**What is the meaning of 'my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you'?**

Answer: The term "sacrifice" (Hebrew *zebach*) here does not refer to a sin offering for atonement. Instead, it signifies a great slaughter or a feast prepared by God as an act of judgment. God Himself is the one who performs this "sacrifice" by utterly destroying the invading armies. The phrase "for you" clarifies that this immense act of judgment is carried out by God on behalf of His covenant people, Israel, for their deliverance, vindication, and to demonstrate His power and faithfulness to them. It is a "sacrifice" of divine wrath, not propitiation.

**Is this a literal event, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: The event described in Ezekiel 39:19, as part of the broader Gog and Magog prophecy, is a literal future event in which God will supernaturally intervene to destroy a massive invading force. However, the *description* of animals eating "fat till ye be full" and drinking "blood till ye be drunken" employs highly vivid and hyperbolic language. While the slaughter will be literal and immense, the imagery is symbolic of the absolute and overwhelming totality of the destruction, emphasizing the sheer number of the slain and the comprehensive nature of God's judgment rather than a precise physiological description of animal consumption. This kind of graphic imagery is common in prophetic literature to convey the severity and finality of divine wrath, paralleled in [Revelation 19:17-18](/revelation/19-17 "Revelation 19:17-18 - The Great Supper of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 39:19 vividly portrays God's judgment upon His enemies for the vindication of Israel, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the triumph of Christ over all hostile powers. The "sacrifice" of judgment in Ezekiel foreshadows the definitive victory of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") over sin, death, and every spiritual foe. Unlike the Old Testament "sacrifice" of judgment, Christ Himself became the ultimate atoning sacrifice, shedding His own blood not for judgment, but for the redemption of humanity (cf. [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")). His death on the cross disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The gruesome feast of judgment in Ezekiel points forward to Christ's return, when He will execute final judgment upon all who oppose Him (cf. [Revelation 19:11-21](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-21 - The Rider on the White Horse and the Beast Defeated")), ultimately establishing His righteous kingdom. Thus, while Ezekiel 39:19 depicts a feast of destruction, it ultimately points to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both the triumphant Victor over evil and the sacrificial Lamb who secures eternal deliverance for His people.

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.