Ezekiel 39:12
Ezekiel 39:12 in Multiple Translations
For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.
And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.
And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying them, that they may cleanse the land.
And the children of Israel will be seven months putting them in the earth, so as to make the land clean.
It will take the people of Israel seven months to bury them in order to make the country clean.
And seuen moneths long shall the house of Israel be burying of the, that they may clense the land.
And the house of Israel have buried them — in order to cleanse the land — seven months.
“‘“The house of Israel will be burying them for seven months, that they may cleanse the land.
And seven months shall the house of Israel be in burying them, that they may cleanse the land.
And the house of Israel shall bury them for seven months to cleanse the land.
For seven months the people of Israel will be burying those corpses. It will be necessary to bury all of them, in order that the land will not be ◄defiled/considered unacceptable to me► because of any unburied corpses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 39:12
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 39:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/קְבָרוּ/ם֙
בֵּ֣ית
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
לְמַ֖עַן
טַהֵ֣ר
אֶת
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
שִׁבְעָ֖ה
חֳדָשִֽׁים
וּ/קְבָרוּ/ם֙
qâbar
H6912
to bury
Conj | V-Qal-3cp | Suff
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
because
Prep
טַהֵ֣ר
ṭâhêr
H2891
be pure
V-Piel-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
שִׁבְעָ֖ה
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 39:12
וּ/קְבָרוּ/ם֙
qâbar
H6912
"to bury"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp | Suff
To bury means to inter or lay someone to rest, often in a grave or tomb. This word is used throughout the Bible to describe the act of burying the dead, and is translated as bury in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to bury 1a) (Qal) to bury 1b) (Niphal) to be buried 1c) (Piel) to bury, bury (in masses) 1d) (Pual) to be buried
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier). See also: Genesis 15:15; 1 Kings 14:31; Psalms 79:3.
בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לְמַ֖עַן
maʻan
H4616
"because"
Prep
This Hebrew word means because of something or for a specific purpose. It is used to explain why something happens or is done. In the Bible, it is used to describe God's intentions or purposes.
Definition: 1) purpose, intent prep 1a) for the sake of 1b) in view of, on account of 1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj 1d) to the end that
Usage: Occurs in 252 OT verses. KJV: because of, to the end (intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), [phrase] lest, that, to. See also: Genesis 12:13; 2 Kings 13:23; Psalms 5:9.
טַהֵ֣ר
ṭâhêr
H2891
"be pure"
V-Piel-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be pure, either physically, morally, or ceremonially. It appears in Leviticus for purification rituals and in Psalm 51 where David asks God to purify his heart. This concept is central to Jewish and Christian ideas of cleanliness and holiness.
Definition: 1) to be clean, be pure 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be clean (physically-of disease) 1a2) to be clean ceremonially 1a3) to purify, be clean morally, made clean 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cleanse, purify 1b1a) physically 1b1b) ceremonially 1b1c) morally 1b2) to pronounce clean 1b3) to perform the ceremony of cleansing 1c) (Pual) to be cleansed, be pronounced clean 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to purify oneself 1d1a) ceremonially 1d1b) morally 1d2) to present oneself for purification
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify(-ier, self). See also: Genesis 35:2; Numbers 19:12; Psalms 51:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
שִׁבְעָ֖ה
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
חֳדָשִֽׁים
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-mp
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 39:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 39:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 39:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 39:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 39:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
- Sermons on Ezekiel 39:12
Context — The Slaughter of Gog’s Armies
10They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.
11And on that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the Sea. It will block those who travel through, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog.
12For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land.
13All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day I display My glory, declares the Lord GOD. 14And men will be employed to continually pass through the land to cleanse it by burying the invaders who remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 21:23 | you must not leave the body on the tree overnight, but you must be sure to bury him that day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 39:14 | And men will be employed to continually pass through the land to cleanse it by burying the invaders who remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 39:16 | (Even the city will be named Hamonah. ) And so they will cleanse the land. |
| 4 | Numbers 19:16 | Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days. |
Ezekiel 39:12 Summary
This verse, Ezekiel 39:12, tells us that the house of Israel will be burying the invaders for seven months to cleanse the land. This is a result of God's judgment on the nations that have opposed Him, as seen in Ezekiel 38:1-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-11. The Israelites' task of burying the invaders teaches us about the importance of obeying God's commands, even when they seem difficult or time-consuming, and the need for spiritual cleansing, as seen in 1 John 1:9. By burying the invaders, the Israelites are able to restore the land to its former state of purity and holiness, just like God desires for us to be holy and set apart for Him, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will the house of Israel be burying the invaders for seven months?
The house of Israel will be burying the invaders for seven months to cleanse the land, as stated in Ezekiel 39:12, which is a result of God's judgment on Gog and his hordes, as seen in Ezekiel 38:1-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-11.
What is the significance of the number seven in this context?
The number seven often represents completion or perfection in the Bible, as seen in Genesis 2:2-3, where God rested on the seventh day, and in Revelation 1:20, where seven churches are mentioned; in this context, the seven months may symbolize a complete cleansing of the land.
How does this burial relate to the broader theme of God's judgment?
The burial of Gog and his hordes is a part of God's judgment on the nations that have opposed Him, as seen in Ezekiel 38:1-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-11, and it ultimately points to the day when God will display His glory, as stated in Ezekiel 39:13, declaring His sovereignty over all nations.
What can we learn from the Israelites' task of burying the invaders?
The Israelites' task of burying the invaders for seven months teaches us about the importance of obeying God's commands, even when they seem difficult or time-consuming, as seen in Exodus 19:5, where God says, 'Now if you will obey Me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure'.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's desire for holiness and purity in the land?
- How does the idea of cleansing the land relate to our own lives and the need for spiritual cleansing, as seen in 1 John 1:9?
- What does the image of burying the invaders for seven months evoke in terms of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance, as seen in Isaiah 1:16-20?
- How can we apply the principle of cleansing and purification in our own lives, as seen in 2 Corinthians 7:1?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 39:12
And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them,.... So long time will the burial of Gog's army take up, because of the multitude of it, and by reason their bones will be scattered here
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 39:12
And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
Seven months shall the house of Israel, many of the house of Israel, some voluntarily, others by appointment, be burying of them; a little time would not suffice to bury so great multitude, make what haste they could. Cleanse the land; not in a legal sense, but in a natural, to clear the land of hurtful stinks.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
Ezekiel 39:12 And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.Ver. 12. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them.] That is, a long while; like as the Reformed Churches were in rooting out Popery, those damnable doctrines, ceremonies, images, relics, bulls, and books. Here in England, the Romish religion stood a whole month and more after the death of Queen Mary, as before. December 27, it was permitted that the Epistles, Gospels, Ten Commandments, Lord’ s Prayer, Creed, and Litany should be used in the Vulgate tongue. March 22, when the Estates of the realm were assembled, by renewing of a law of Edward VI, was granted the whole use of the Lord’ s Supper - that is, under both kinds. June 24, the sacrifice of the mass was abolished, and the liturgy in the English tongue established. In July, the oath of supremacy was ministered; and in August, images were removed out of churches, broken or burnt. “ Tantae molis erat Romanam abscondere gentem. ” Camden’ s Elisabeth.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
Verse 12. And seven months] It shall require a long time to bury the dead. This is another figurative expression; which, however, may admit of a good deal of literal meaning. Many of the Syrian soldiers had secreted themselves in different places during the pursuit after the battle, where they died of their wounds, of hunger, and of fatigue; so that they were not all found and buried till seven months after the defeat of the Syrian army. This slow process of burying is distinctly related in the three following verses, and extended even to a bone, Ezekiel 39:15; which, when it was found by a passenger, the place was marked, that the buriers might see and inter it. Seven months was little time enough for all this work; and in that country putrescency does not easily take place: the scorching winds serving to desiccate the flesh, and preserve it from decomposition.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 39:12
12. It shall take all Israel (Ezekiel 39:13) seven months to bury Gog’s dead. The bones scattered over the land defiled it, for it was holy to the Lord, and they must be gathered and interred, cf. Ezekiel 39:14; Ezekiel 39:16.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:12
12-15. It shall take seven months to gather up all the bones which defile the holy soil (compare Ezekiel 19:11-12; Ezekiel 32:19; Ezekiel 36:33) and bury them, and they shall get for themselves great
Sermons on Ezekiel 39:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Middle East Crisis: The Last Jihad by Jack Hibbs | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of the world and the ongoing conflict between different ideologies. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible |
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Book of Acts Series - Part 43 | the Most Unlikely Christian by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful testimony about a man named Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians but later became a follower of Jesus. The speaker emphasizes |
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Being Faithful With God's Gifts by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of faithfulness, gratitude, and humility in our walk with God. It delves into the parable of the talents, highlighting the need to be faithful |
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Zachaaeus by Ken Baird | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who was considered a sinner. The preacher emphasizes that Zacchaeus was lost until Jesus came into h |
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Philippians 2:5-11 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the humility and obedience of Christ, emphasizing how Jesus, being in the form of God, willingly emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant, h |
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The Serpent, the Curse: Jesus Lifted Up by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the connection between the serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness and Jesus being lifted up on the cross, illustrating how Christ bore the curse and |
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The Supernatural Death and Resurrection of Christ by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the supernatural nature of Christ's death and resurrection, arguing against the notion that Jesus' death was merely that of a martyr. He asserts that Ch |