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.

Thou shalt fall {H5307} upon the mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, thou, and all thy bands {H102}, and the people {H5971} that is with thee: I will give {H5414} thee unto the ravenous {H5861} birds {H6833} of every sort {H3671}, and to the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704} to be devoured {H402}.

You will fall on the mountains of Isra'el, you, your troops and all the peoples with you; I will give you to be eaten up by all kinds of birds of prey and by wild animals.

On the mountains of Israel you will fallโ€”you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.

Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy hordes, and the peoples that are with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 39:4 is a pivotal verse within the extensive prophecy against Gog of Magog, found in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. This prophecy describes a massive, future invasion of Israel by a coalition of nations led by Gog. This verse specifically details the gruesome outcome of this invasion: God's decisive and overwhelming judgment on Gog and his armies. The setting is the "mountains of Israel," emphasizing that the battle and subsequent destruction will occur within the promised land, visible to all, underscoring God's direct intervention in human history.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over nations and their destinies. He orchestrates Gog's invasion only to demonstrate His power and holiness through their utter destruction. This highlights that no earthly power can ultimately defy God's will or thwart His plans for His people.
  • Utter Defeat of God's Enemies: Gog and his vast army are depicted not just as defeated, but as annihilated. The imagery of being "given unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured" signifies a complete, humiliating, and unburied end, a severe form of divine retribution and dishonor in ancient cultures.
  • God's Vindication and Glorification: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Ezekiel 39 shows that this judgment serves to reveal God's glory to the nations and to Israel, ensuring His name is sanctified (Ezekiel 39:7). This public display of power reaffirms God's covenant faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured" is a stark and common biblical idiom for utter destruction and dishonor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a proper burial was paramount; to be left unburied and consumed by scavengers was the ultimate disgrace and a sign of divine curse. The Hebrew word for "fall" (ื ึธืคึทืœ, naphal) in this context conveys a sudden, decisive, and irreversible collapse, indicative of a divinely orchestrated downfall rather than a mere military defeat.

Related Scriptures

This graphic imagery of divine judgment, where bodies are left for birds and beasts, echoes similar prophecies of ultimate judgment found elsewhere in scripture. A prominent example is the "supper of the great God" described in Revelation 19:17-18, which depicts a similar scene of birds feasting on the slain armies that oppose Christ at His return. This parallel suggests a consistent theme of God's final and decisive judgment against those who resist His kingdom and His anointed ones.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 39:4 offers profound reassurance and a sober warning. For believers, it reinforces the truth of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ultimate control over all world events. Even amidst apparent threats or global turmoil, God is sovereign and will protect His people and vindicate His name. For those who might oppose God or His purposes, this verse serves as a stark warning of the inevitable and devastating consequences of defying the Almighty. It calls all to acknowledge God's power and submit to His righteous will, finding security in His divine protection.

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Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 33:27

    Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; [As] I live, surely they that [are] in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that [is] in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that [be] in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 39:20

    Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 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 19:21

    And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

  • Ezekiel 32:4

    Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.

  • Ezekiel 32:5

    And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.