Ezekiel 39:9

KJV

And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they that dwell {H3427} in the cities {H5892} of Israel {H3478} shall go forth {H3318}, and shall set {H1197} on fire {H784} and burn {H5400} the weapons {H5402}, both the shields {H4043} and the bucklers {H6793}, the bows {H7198} and the arrows {H2671}, and the handstaves {H3027}{H4731}, and the spears {H7420}, and they shall burn {H1197} them with fire {H784} seven {H7651} years {H8141}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Those living in Isra'el's cities will go out and set fire to the weapons, to use as fuel - the shields, breastplates, bows, arrows, clubs and spears; they will use them for fire seven years;

Berean Standard Bible

Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out, kindle fires, and burn up the weapons—the bucklers and shields, the bows and arrows, the clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel.

American Standard Version

And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall make fires of the weapons and burn them, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall make fires of them seven years;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 39:9 vividly portrays the practical aftermath of God's decisive victory over the invading forces of Gog and Magog, depicting the inhabitants of Israel collecting and burning the immense quantity of abandoned enemy weaponry. This act not only signifies the complete and overwhelming defeat of Israel's adversaries but also underscores God's abundant provision for His people, transforming instruments of war into a sustainable fuel source for an extended period of seven years, thereby emphasizing a profound and lasting peace and security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the climactic eschatological prophecy of [Ezekiel chapters 38-39](/ezekiel/38 "Ezekiel 38-39 - The Prophecy of Gog and Magog"), which meticulously details a future, divinely orchestrated invasion of Israel by a formidable coalition of nations led by "Gog of the land of Magog." The preceding verses, particularly [Ezekiel 38:18-23](/ezekiel/38-18-23 "Ezekiel 38:18-23 - God's Fury and Judgment on Gog") and [Ezekiel 39:1-8](/ezekiel/39-1-8 "Ezekiel 39:1-8 - God's Utter Destruction of Gog"), describe God's direct, supernatural intervention through a series of cataclysmic judgments—earthquakes, pestilence, internal strife, and torrential rain—resulting in the utter annihilation of the invading armies on the mountains of Israel. [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - The Burning of Weapons"), along with subsequent verses like [Ezekiel 39:10](/ezekiel/39-10 "Ezekiel 39:10 - Israel's Use of Spoils"), shifts the narrative focus from the divine judgment itself to its tangible, far-reaching aftermath, illustrating the immense scale of the defeat and the resulting peace, provision, and purification for the people of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the prophecy of Gog and Magog points to a future, ultimate conflict, its imagery is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern warfare and societal realities. In antiquity, victorious armies commonly collected spoils of war, but the sheer volume described here, necessitating seven years of burning, is extraordinary and hyperbolic. Wood was a precious and often scarce commodity in ancient Israel, essential for fuel, construction, and various domestic uses. The concept of utilizing enemy weapons as a primary fuel source highlights a radical reversal of fortunes and a profound act of divine provision, transforming instruments of destruction into vital sources of sustenance. This also aligns with the ancient practice of destroying enemy armaments to prevent their reuse, but here it is elevated to an unprecedented scale, signifying a total and enduring cessation of hostilities and a divinely secured peace.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - The Burning of Weapons") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Victory and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute control over all nations and His unwavering commitment to defend and vindicate His covenant people. The catastrophic destruction of such a massive army, followed by the systematic burning of their weapons, underscores the **Scale of Defeat** for Israel's enemies and the subsequent **Total Restoration and Security** for Israel. Furthermore, it highlights God's **Providence**, as the very instruments of war are miraculously transformed into a source of energy and comfort, demonstrating how God can turn even the most destructive elements into abundant provision for His people. The "seven years" also emphasizes a **Period of Completeness and Lasting Peace**, a divinely ordained era free from immediate threats and marked by profound rest and abundance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bâʻar (Hebrew, _bâʻar'_):** This primitive root, translated "set on fire and burn," carries the dual meaning "to kindle" and "to consume (by fire or by eating)." Its usage here emphasizes both the deliberate act of igniting the weapons and the subsequent, thorough process of their consumption. It signifies a complete destruction that renders the weapons utterly useless for their original purpose, transforming them into a new, beneficial form—fuel. This is not merely discarding but an active, prolonged, and purposeful consumption.
* **nesheq (Hebrew, _nesheq'_):** Translated as "weapons," this term broadly refers to "military equipment," encompassing both offensive and defensive arms. The subsequent detailed enumeration in the verse—"shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears"—serves as a comprehensive list (a merism) representing the entirety of the enemy's arsenal. The sheer volume implied by the necessity of burning these "weapons" for seven years underscores the immense size and the comprehensive defeat of the invading army.
* **shebaʻ (Hebrew, _shebaʻ'_):** This cardinal number, "seven," is profoundly symbolic in biblical numerology, frequently representing completeness, perfection, or a divinely appointed period. In this context, "seven years" signifies more than just a long duration; it denotes a period of full and complete utilization of the spoils, indicative of a profound, divinely ordained, and lasting peace and recovery following the war. It suggests a thorough cleansing, a secure future, and a complete cycle of time during which the remnants of conflict serve a productive, life-sustaining purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth,"**: This opening clause highlights the active involvement of the ordinary Israelite citizens, not solely the military. Their ability to "go forth" from their secure dwellings implies a profound sense of safety and freedom from fear, allowing them to engage in the task of collecting spoils. This signifies the immediate and tangible peace and security that follows the divine intervention.
* **"and shall set on fire and burn the weapons,"**: This is the core action of the verse. The use of two distinct Hebrew verbs for "set on fire" (`bâʻar`) and "burn" (`nâsaq`) emphasizes the thoroughness, intentionality, and complete nature of the destruction and consumption of the enemy's military equipment. It's a powerful act of transforming instruments of war into instruments of peace and provision.
* **"both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears,"**: This detailed enumeration provides a concrete and comprehensive illustration of the "weapons" mentioned. It is a meticulous inventory of typical ancient warfare armaments, encompassing both defensive (shields, bucklers) and offensive (bows, arrows, handstaves, spears) weapons. This specificity underscores the totality of the invaders' defeat and the vast, diverse quantity of their discarded equipment.
* **"and they shall burn them with fire seven years:"**: This final clause reveals the astonishing duration of the burning. The "seven years" functions as a hyperbole that conveys the immense scale of the weaponry and, more significantly, symbolizes a divinely appointed, complete, and lasting period of peace and security for Israel. During this extended time, the remnants of war are continuously consumed for beneficial purposes, underscoring God's abundant provision and the enduring nature of His peace.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 39:9 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Hyperbole** is strikingly evident in the declaration that the weapons will be burned for "seven years." While not meant to be taken literally as a precise duration for a single army's equipment, this exaggeration dramatically emphasizes the colossal scale of the defeated army and the profound, enduring nature of the peace and abundant provision that follows. It effectively communicates the overwhelming victory and the complete cessation of immediate threats. The meticulous enumeration of "shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears" functions as a **Merism**, a literary technique where a comprehensive list of parts represents the whole. This device highlights the totality and diversity of the enemy's military hardware, reinforcing the idea of an utterly disarmed and defeated foe. Furthermore, the transformation of instruments of war into sources of fuel carries profound **Symbolism**. The weapons, originally designed for destruction and death, are repurposed for sustenance and life, symbolizing God's divine power to bring good out of devastation, to turn instruments of conflict into means of provision, and to establish a lasting peace where the very tools of war are consumed and rendered obsolete.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 39:9 stands as a powerful testament to God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations and His unfailing commitment to His covenant people. It portrays a future where divine judgment utterly dismantles the forces arrayed against Israel, leading to a profound reversal of fortunes. The burning of weapons for seven years is a vivid image of God's complete victory and His abundant provision, turning the instruments of war into sustenance. This act not only signifies the end of hostilities but also a period of divinely ordained peace and security, where the very remnants of conflict serve to benefit God's people. It underscores the biblical theme that God is the ultimate protector and provider, capable of transforming even the most dire circumstances into blessings for those He defends. This passage resonates with other prophetic visions of ultimate peace and divine provision.

* [Psalm 46:9](/psalms/46-9 "Psalm 46:9 - God Makes Wars Cease") - "He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; he burns the chariot in the fire."
* [Isaiah 2:4](/isaiah/2-4 "Isaiah 2:4 - Swords into Plowshares") - "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
* [Zechariah 9:10](/zechariah/9-10 "Zechariah 9:10 - Peace from Zion") - "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 39:9 offers a profound message of hope and assurance for believers today, providing a powerful vision of God's ultimate triumph. In a world often characterized by persistent conflict, economic uncertainty, and personal scarcity, this verse serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereign power to bring about comprehensive peace and abundant provision. It encourages us to trust implicitly in God's overarching plan, knowing that He possesses the ability to transform even the most destructive forces and dire circumstances into unexpected means of blessing and sustenance. Just as the weapons of war became vital fuel for Israel, God can repurpose our past struggles, our brokenness, and even the attacks of the enemy into resources for our spiritual growth, provision, and ultimate good. This passage invites us to look beyond immediate, often chaotic, circumstances to God's ultimate plan of restoration and lasting peace, understanding that His victory is comprehensive and His steadfast care for His people is enduring. It challenges us to consider how we might metaphorically "burn" the remnants of past conflicts in our own lives – transforming bitterness into forgiveness, fear into unwavering faith, and despair into resilient hope, allowing God to transform these destructive elements into something life-giving and purposeful.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the vivid imagery of burning weapons for fuel challenge your current perspective on God's abundant provision in unexpected and transformative ways?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to trust God more deeply to transform instruments of past struggle, pain, or even trauma into valuable resources for your future and for His glory?**
* **What does the symbolic "seven years" of burning signify about the completeness and enduring nature of God's work in establishing peace, and how does this apply to your own longing for lasting peace and security in a turbulent world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "seven years" in Ezekiel 39:9?**

Answer: The "seven years" mentioned in [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - The Burning of Weapons") is a symbolic duration, not necessarily a literal one, emphasizing two key aspects: the immense quantity of the enemy's weaponry and, more importantly, the completeness and lasting nature of the peace and provision God establishes for Israel. In biblical numerology, the number seven frequently denotes perfection, completion, or a divinely appointed period. Thus, it signifies a full and thorough utilization of the spoils, indicating a profound and enduring period of security and recovery following the great battle, where the remnants of war are continuously consumed for beneficial purposes. It underscores the totality of God's victory and the subsequent era of rest and abundance for His people.

**Is the prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38-39 meant to be interpreted literally?**

Answer: The interpretation of the Gog and Magog prophecy in [Ezekiel 38-39](/ezekiel/38 "Ezekiel 38-39 - The Prophecy of Gog and Magog") varies among biblical scholars. Some interpret it as a literal future invasion of Israel by specific nations, often associated with a pre-millennial or dispensational eschatology. Others view it as a symbolic representation of all forces hostile to God and His people throughout history, culminating in a final, eschatological conflict that may or may not involve literal nations. Regardless of the literal or symbolic interpretation of the specific actors, the core theological message remains consistent: God will ultimately and decisively defeat all forces that oppose Him and His chosen people, ensuring their security and establishing His kingdom. The detailed imagery, like the burning of weapons in [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - The Burning of Weapons"), serves to powerfully convey the overwhelming nature of God's victory and the subsequent peace.

**What are "handstaves" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "Handstaves" (Hebrew: `maqqêl` or `maqqêlah`, H4731) refers to a type of staff or rod, which could be used for various purposes, including walking, guiding, or as a simple weapon. In a military context, it would denote a club, cudgel, or perhaps a short, heavy staff used in close combat. Its inclusion in the detailed list of weapons alongside shields, bows, arrows, and spears in [Ezekiel 39:9](/ezekiel/39-9 "Ezekiel 39:9 - The Burning of Weapons") emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the enemy's armaments, from the most sophisticated to the most basic, further highlighting the vast quantity and diversity of material left behind after their devastating defeat.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 39:9 describes a future, temporal victory for Israel and a physical transformation of war implements into fuel, its imagery and profound themes find their ultimate and spiritual fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Just as God decisively defeats the physical enemies of Israel, Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, has achieved the ultimate victory over the spiritual enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. The "weapons" of spiritual warfare—the accusations of the enemy, the crushing power of sin, the sting and dominion of death—are utterly disarmed and rendered powerless by Christ's triumph, as [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities") powerfully declares, "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Furthermore, the "seven years" of burning, symbolizing a period of lasting peace and abundant provision, foreshadows the eternal peace and inexhaustible life found exclusively in Christ. He is the true source of spiritual sustenance, transforming the instruments of our spiritual bondage and the remnants of our brokenness into the fuel for our freedom, sanctification, and new life in Him. In the new heavens and new earth, as described in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow"), there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things—including all warfare, its devastating consequences, and its remnants—will have passed away, fully consumed by the eternal reign of the Lamb of God, who provides everlasting peace and an abundance that never ceases, fulfilling the ultimate promise of divine provision and security for all who are in Him.

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

Psalms 46:9

He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

Isaiah 66:24

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Malachi 1:5

And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

Psalms 111:2

The works of the LORD [are] great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

Psalms 111:3

His work [is] honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

Joshua 11:6

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

Ezekiel 39:10

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.