Ezekiel 32:21
Ezekiel 32:21 in Multiple Translations
Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
The strong among the great ones will say to him from the underworld, Are you more beautiful than any? go down, you and your helpers, and take your rest among those without circumcision, and those who have been put to the sword.
Powerful chiefs will speak from Sheol about Egypt and its allies: ‘They have come down here and lie with the heathen, with those killed by the sword.’
The most mighty and strong shall speake to him out of the mids of hell with them that helpe her: they are gone downe and sleepe with the vncircumcised that be slaine by the sworde.
Speak to him do the gods of the mighty out of the midst of sheol, With his helpers — they have gone down, They have lain with the uncircumcised, The pierced of the sword.
The strong among the mighty will speak to him out of the middle of Sheol with those who help him. They have gone down. The uncircumcised lie still, slain by the sword.
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of the grave with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
The most mighty among the strong ones shall speak to him from the midst of hell, they that went down with his helpers, and slept uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
In the place where the dead people are, mighty leaders of other countries will make fun of the people of Egypt and say, “They have come here to lie with us godless people who were killed by our enemies’ swords!” ’
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 32:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 32:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְדַבְּרוּ
ל֞/וֹ
אֵלֵ֧י
גִבּוֹרִ֛ים
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
שְׁא֖וֹל
אֶת
עֹֽזְרָ֑י/ו
יָֽרְד֛וּ
שָׁכְב֥וּ
הָ/עֲרֵלִ֖ים
חַלְלֵי
חָֽרֶב
יְדַבְּרוּ
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
ל֞/וֹ
Prep | Suff
אֵלֵ֧י
ʼêl
H410
god
N-mp
גִבּוֹרִ֛ים
gibbôwr
H1368
mighty man
Adj
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
שְׁא֖וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
hell
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep
עֹֽזְרָ֑י/ו
ʻâzar
H5826
to help
V-Qal | Suff
יָֽרְד֛וּ
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
שָׁכְב֥וּ
shâkab
H7901
to lie down
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
הָ/עֲרֵלִ֖ים
ʻârêl
H6189
uncircumcised
Art | Adj
חַלְלֵי
châlâl
H2491
slain
Adj
חָֽרֶב
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 32:21
יְדַבְּרוּ
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
ל֞/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
אֵלֵ֧י
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-mp
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
גִבּוֹרִ֛ים
gibbôwr
H1368
"mighty man"
Adj
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Definition: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. See also: Genesis 6:4; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalms 19:6.
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
שְׁא֖וֹל
shᵉʼôwl
H7585
"hell"
N-proper
Sheol refers to the underworld or grave, a place of no return where the dead reside, as seen in the Old Testament. It is often translated as hell or pit in the KJV. This concept is mentioned in various books, including Psalms and Isaiah.
Definition: Sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit 1a) the underworld 1b) Sheol-the OT designation for the abode of the dead 1b1) place of no return 1b2) without praise of God 1b3) wicked sent there for punishment 1b4) righteous not abandoned to it 1b5) of the place of exile (fig) 1b6) of extreme degradation in sin
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: grave, hell, pit. See also: Genesis 37:35; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 6:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
עֹֽזְרָ֑י/ו
ʻâzar
H5826
"to help"
V-Qal | Suff
To help or aid is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe God's protection or assistance. It is used in the Psalms to express trust in God's help and in the book of Exodus to describe God's aid to the Israelites.
Definition: 1) to help, succour, support 1a) (Qal) to help 1b) (Niphal) to be helped 1c) (Hiphil) to help
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: help, succour. See also: Genesis 49:25; Job 26:2; Psalms 10:14.
יָֽרְד֛וּ
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
שָׁכְב֥וּ
shâkab
H7901
"to lie down"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To lie down can mean to rest, sleep, or have sexual relations, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible. It can also mean to relax or be at rest.
Definition: : lay_down/lie_with 1) to lie down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie, lie down, lie on 1a2) to lodge 1a3) to lie (of sexual relations) 1a4) to lie down (in death) 1a5) to rest, relax (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually) 1c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually) 1d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down 1e) (Hophal) to be laid
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, cast down, (lover-)lay (self) (down), (make to) lie (down, down to sleep, still with), lodge, ravish, take rest, sleep, stay. See also: Genesis 19:4; 1 Kings 11:43; Psalms 3:6.
הָ/עֲרֵלִ֖ים
ʻârêl
H6189
"uncircumcised"
Art | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is uncircumcised, meaning they still have their foreskin. It is used to distinguish between Jews and non-Jews, as seen in Acts 7.
Definition: uncircumcised, having foreskin
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: uncircumcised (person). See also: Genesis 17:14; Jeremiah 6:10; Isaiah 52:1.
חַלְלֵי
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
חָֽרֶב
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fs
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 32:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 32:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 32:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 32:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 32:21
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 32:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
- Sermons on Ezekiel 32:21
Context — Egypt Cast into the Pit
19Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised!
20They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes.
21Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’
22Assyria is there with her whole company; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. 23Her graves are set in the depths of the Pit, and her company is all around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who once spread terror in the land of the living.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 14:9–10 | Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you— all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones. They will all respond to you, saying, “You too have become weak, as we are; you have become like us!” |
| 2 | Ezekiel 32:27 | They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of old, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads, whose shields rested on their bones, although the terror of the mighty was once in the land of the living. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 32:19 | Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be placed with the uncircumcised! |
| 4 | Luke 16:23–24 | In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ |
| 5 | Isaiah 1:31 | The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames. |
| 6 | Psalms 9:17 | The wicked will return to Sheol— all the nations who forget God. |
| 7 | Psalms 55:15 | Let death seize them by surprise; let them go down to Sheol alive, for evil is with them in their homes. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 32:24–25 | Elam is there with all her multitudes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword— those who went down uncircumcised to the earth below, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. Among the slain they prepare a resting place for Elam with all her hordes, with her graves all around her. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. They are placed among the slain. |
| 9 | Proverbs 14:32 | The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death. |
| 10 | Numbers 16:30–34 | But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.” As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly. At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!” |
Ezekiel 32:21 Summary
[Ezekiel 32:21 is a solemn reminder that those who reject God's covenant and live in sin will face the same fate as the 'uncircumcised' and those 'slain by the sword', as seen in Ezekiel 28:10 and 31:18. This verse encourages us to reflect on our own spiritual state and to seek a right relationship with God, as described in Deuteronomy 10:16 and Romans 2:25-29. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and living in humility, we can avoid the consequences of sin and find eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, as mentioned in John 3:16.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'lie with the uncircumcised' in Ezekiel 32:21?
In the Bible, being 'uncircumcised' refers to those who are outside of God's covenant, as seen in Genesis 17:10-14, and 'lying with them' implies sharing their spiritual state, as mentioned in Ezekiel 28:10 and 31:18.
Who are the 'mighty chiefs' speaking in Ezekiel 32:21?
The 'mighty chiefs' are likely the powerful leaders of other nations who have also been defeated and are now in Sheol, the place of the dead, as described in Psalm 9:17 and Isaiah 14:9-11.
What is the significance of Sheol in Ezekiel 32:21?
Sheol represents the place of the dead, where all people go after they die, regardless of their faith or actions, as seen in Psalm 89:48 and Ecclesiastes 3:19-20, and it serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
How does Ezekiel 32:21 relate to the rest of the chapter?
Ezekiel 32:21 is part of a larger lamentation over the fall of Egypt, as seen in Ezekiel 32:1-16, and serves as a warning to other nations of the consequences of pride and sin, as mentioned in Ezekiel 32:22-32 and Proverbs 16:18.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about the consequences of sin and rebellion against God?
- How does the image of 'mighty chiefs' speaking from Sheol impact your understanding of the afterlife?
- In what ways can you apply the warning of Ezekiel 32:21 to your own life and spiritual journey?
- What does this verse teach you about the importance of humility and recognizing God's sovereignty?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 32:21
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him,.... The strongest of them, such who have excelled others in strength and courage, famous for military exploits, who have been generals of armies, great
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 32:21
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
The prophet seems in this verse to introduce the next speakers in this parley, and bringing them in, gives their character. The strong; the powerful, the valiant, whose natural strength of body was great, and their courage greater, those that were strongest. Among the mighty; for feats they did, by which it appeared they might compared with others, pass for giants, mighty warriors. conquerors, and riders. Shall speak to him, the king of Egypt. Hell; or rather, the grave, where they lie without strength, as dead mortals, though while they lived they bore themselves as if gods and immortal. Them that help him; either these great ones shall speak to Hophra’ s helpers, or else these his friends, slain in his quarrel and dead before him, shall speak to him. Gone down to the grave: see . Uncircumcised; neglected and forgotten, or remembered with contempt: see .
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.Ver. 21. The strong among the mighty.] Who might have seen many fair summers, had they not been cut off by Pharaoh’ s sword. Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell.] What they say to him, see Isaiah 14:10, where we have the like personification in poetry.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
(21) Speak to him.—The pronoun oscillates between the masculine and the feminine, because the thought is partly of the king and partly of the kingdom. The pronoun is determined by whichever is for the moment uppermost in the prophet’s mind. On Hell, see Note on Ezekiel 31:16-17. It occurs also at Ezekiel 32:27.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
Verse 21. Out of the midst of hell] שאול sheol, the catacombs, the place of burial. There is something here similar to Isaiah 14:9, where the descent of the king of Babylon to the state of the dead is described.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 32:21
21. The Pharaoh and his multitude are supposed here to have descended into Sheòl, and the “mighty ones” already there address them (Isaiah 14:8; Isaiah 14:10) or speak of them. The strong among the mighty] lit. the strong of the mighty, where “strong” is not a class among the mighty, but identical with them—the strong mighty ones (gen. of appos.). In LXX. “strong” is wanting as in Ezekiel 32:27. The word “strong” is that rendered mighty one of the nations, Ezekiel 31:11. It is probably entirely different (though the same in spelling) from the word God, Ezekiel 28:2, and from the phrase “mighty God,” Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 10:21. speak to him] Or, of him. The words that follow seem spoken in regard to Pharaoh—though such a meaning is rather flat. that help him] his helpers, auxiliary nations. The meaning must be that the mighty speak to (of) Pharaoh and his helpers, hardly that Pharaoh’s helpers already gone down join the mighty in mocking Pharaoh. In LXX. these three verses stand in a different order, viz. Ezekiel 32:20 a, 20 b (read differently), 21 a, 19, and the first three words of Eze 32:20 again, “They shall fall with him in the midst of them that are slain with the sword, and all his multitude (strength) shall lie down.
And the mighty (lit. giants, Ezekiel 32:27) shall say unto thee: Be thou in the depth of the pit; to whom art thou superior? go down, and lie with the uncircumcised, in the midst of them that are slain with the sword.” Probably neither text presents the original, though the general meaning of both is the same. It is in favour of Heb. that it begins with the interrogation, and rather against the LXX. that it makes the address rather prolix. The “mighty” who speak are in any case those already in Sheòl, and not persons upon the earth such as the Babylonians (Hitz.).
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 32:21
The uncircumcised - throughout this dirge is equivalent to pagan viewed as impure (Ezekiel 31:18 note).
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:21
21. The strong among the mighty — The strong mighty ones (Davidson). The residents of Sheol greet these incoming nations — who in life considered themselves infinitely their superiors — with belittling comments.
Sermons on Ezekiel 32:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
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Great Danger to a Christian by A Van Eeden | This sermon delves into the danger of sliding into a lukewarm state as a Christian, using the example of the Israelites worshipping the golden calf in Exodus 32. It emphasizes the |
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Powerful Convicting Sermon - Hell Fire by Charles Lawson | This sermon emphasizes the reality of hell as described in Matthew chapter 5, focusing on the urgency of understanding its existence and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ |
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Instant Replay - the Worm Never Dies (Compilation) by Compilations | Compilations delivers a powerful sermon titled 'Instant Replay - the Worm Never Dies,' emphasizing the torment of a guilty conscience in hell. The preacher vividly describes the an |
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Almost a Christian by John Rhys Watkins | In this sermon, the preacher describes a man who is trapped in darkness and torment, symbolizing the state of humanity without Christ. The preacher emphasizes that salvation is ava |
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A Tour of Hell by E.A. Johnston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of accepting the Gospel and turning to Christ. He warns that sudden death can take people away without warning, just as the Bibl |
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The Character of Hell by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher begins by referencing Luke's Gospel, chapter 16, and focuses on the character of Hell. He shares a personal anecdote about a friend who became an evang |