Ezekiel 32
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month - On Wednesday, March 22, the twelfth year of the captivity of Jeconiah, A.M. 3417. Instead of the twelfth year, five of Kennicott's MSS., and eight of De Rossi's, read בעשתי עשרה in the eleventh year. This reading is supported by the Syriac; and is confirmed by an excellent MS. of my own, about four hundred years old.
Open source ↗TWO ELEGIES OVER PHARAOH, ONE DELIVERED ON THE FIRST DAY (Eze 32:1), THE OTHER ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF THE SAME MONTH, THE TWELFTH OF THE TWELFTH YEAR. (Eze. 32:1-32) The twelfth year from the carrying away of Jehoiachin; Jerusalem was by this time overthrown, and Amasis was beginning his revolt against Pharaoh-hophra.
Open source ↗And it came to pass in the twelfth year,.... Of Jeconiah's captivity, above a year and a half after the taking of Jerusalem; the Syriac version reads in the eleventh year: in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month; the month Adar, which answers to part of our February, and part of March; the Septuagint version reads it the tenth month: according to Bishop Usher (t), this was on the twenty second of March, on the fourth day of the week (Wednesday), 3417 A.M.or 587 years before Christ: that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying; as follows: (t) Annales Vet. Test. A. M. 3417.
Open source ↗Lamentation over the King of Egypt Pharaoh, a sea-monster, is drawn by the nations out of his waters with the net of God, and cast out upon the earth. His flesh is given to the birds and beasts of prey to devour, and the earth is saturated with his blood (Eze 32:2-6). At his destruction the lights of heaven lose their brightness, and all the nations will be amazed thereat (Eze 32:7-10). The king of Babel will come upon Egypt, will destroy both man and beast, and will make the land a desert (Eze 32:11-16). - The date given in Eze 32:1 - "In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first of the month, the word of Jehovah came to me, saying" - agrees entirely with the relation in which the substance of the ode itself stands to the prophecies belonging to the tenth and eleventh years in Ezekiel 29:1-16 and Eze 30:20-26; whereas the different date found in the Septuagint cannot come into consideration for a moment. Eze 32:2-6 The destruction of Pharoah. - Eze 32:2. Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and say to him, Thou wast compared to a young lion among the nations, and yet wast like a dragon in the sea; thou didst break forth in thy streams, and didst trouble the waters with thy feet, and didst tread their streams. Eze 32:3. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Therefore will I spread out my net over thee in the midst of many nations, that they may draw thee up in my yarn; Eze 32:4. And will cast thee upon the land, hurl thee upon the surface of the field, and will cause all the birds of the heaven to settle upon thee, and the beasts of the whole earth to satisfy themselves with thee. Eze 32:5. Thy flesh will I put upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy funeral heap. Eze 32:6. I will saturate the earth with thine outflow of thy blood…
Open source ↗Here, I. The prophet is ordered to take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, Eze 32:2. It concerns ministers to be much of a serious spirit, and, in order thereunto, to be frequent in taking up lamentations for the fall and ruin of sinners, as those that have not desired, but dreaded, the woeful day. Note, Ministers that would affect others with the things of God must make it appear that they are themselves affected with the miseries which sinners bring upon themselves by their sins. It becomes us to weep and tremble for those that will not weep and tremble for themselves, to try if thereby we may set them a weeping, set them a trembling. II. He is ordered to show cause for that lamentation. 1. Pharaoh has been a troubler of the nations, even of his own nation, which he should have procured the repose of: He is like a young lion of the nations (Eze 32:2), loud and noisy, hectoring and threatening as a lion when he roars. Great potentates, if they by tyrannical and oppressive, are in God's account no better than beasts of prey. He is like a whale, or dragon, like a crocodile (so some) in the seas, very turbulent and vexatious, as the leviathan that makes the deep to boil like a pot, Job 41:31. When Pharaoh engaged in an unnecessary war with the Cyrenians he came forth with his rivers, with his armies, troubled the waters, disturbed his own kingdom and the neighbouring nations, fouled the rivers, and made them muddy. Note, A great deal of disquiet is often given to the world by the restless ambition and implacable resentments of proud princes. Ahab is he that troubles Israel, and not Elijah. 2. He that has troubled others must expect to be himself troubled; for the Lord is righteous, Jos 7:25. (1.) This is set forth here by a comparison. Is Pharaoh like a great wha…
Open source ↗32:1 On March 3: This event occurred two months after the exiles in Babylon received word of Jerusalem’s fall (see 33:21).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קִינָה (qîynâh, H7015) — a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments) פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1819) — to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… תַּנִּין (tannîyn, H8577) — a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal תַּן (tan, H8565) — a monster (as preternaturally formed), i.e. a sea-serpent (or other huge marine animal);… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} פָּרַשׂ (pâras, H6566) — to break apart, disperse, etc. רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… חֵרֶם (chêrem, H2764) — physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed…
Open source ↗נָטַשׁ (nâṭash, H5203) — properly, to pound, i.e. smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) טוּל (ṭûwl, H2904) — to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially…
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) רָמוּת (râmûwth, H7419) — a heap (of carcases)
Open source ↗שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6824) — an inundation (as covering) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אָפִיק (ʼâphîyq, H650) — properly, containing, i.e. a tube; also a bed or valley of astream; also a strong thing… מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗כָּבָה (kâbâh, H3518) — to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger) כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments) כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… עָנָן (ʻânân, H6051) — a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e. the nimbus or thunder-cloud יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
Open source ↗מָאוֹר (mâʼôwr, H3974) — properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element);… אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… קָדַר (qâdar, H6937) — to be ashy, i.e. darkcolored; by implication, to mourn (in sackcloth or sordid garments) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חֹשֶׁךְ (chôshek, H2822) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH}
Open source ↗כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3707) — to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7667) — a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,…
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׂעַר (saʻar, H8178) — a tempest; also a terror שָׂעַר (sâʻar, H8175) — to storm; by implication, to shiver, i.e. fear עוּף (ʻûwph, H5774) — to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) רֶגַע (regaʻ, H7281) — a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH} חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… עָרִיץ (ʻârîyts, H6184) — fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… גָּאוֹן (gâʼôwn, H1347) — {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament} מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate
Open source ↗אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) עַל (ʻal, H5921) — above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect)… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּלַח (dâlach, H1804) — to roil water פַּרְסָה (parçâh, H6541) — a claw or split hoof
Open source ↗מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שָׁקַע (shâqaʻ, H8257) — to subside; by implication, to be overflowed, cease; causatively, to abate, subdue נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) יְהֹוִה (Yᵉhôvih, H3069) — {YHWH}
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
In the eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
In the tenth year, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
In the eleventh year, on the first day of the third month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
In the twenty-seventh year, on the first day of the first month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!”
On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin—