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.
Original Language Analysis
יְדַבְּרוּ
shall speak
H1696
יְדַבְּרוּ
shall speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵלֵ֧י
The strong
H410
אֵלֵ֧י
The strong
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
3 of 13
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
גִבּוֹרִ֛ים
among the mighty
H1368
גִבּוֹרִ֛ים
among the mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
4 of 13
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
to him out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
to him out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
5 of 13
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
שְׁא֖וֹל
of hell
H7585
שְׁא֖וֹל
of hell
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
6 of 13
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יָֽרְד֛וּ
him they are gone down
H3381
יָֽרְד֛וּ
him they are gone down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 13
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
שָׁכְב֥וּ
they lie
H7901
שָׁכְב֥וּ
they lie
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
10 of 13
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים
uncircumcised
H6189
הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים
uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
Historical Context
This vision pictures Sheol populated with fallen empires and their leaders—Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, Sidon (mentioned in following verses), and now Egypt joining them. The procession of fallen empires teaches that no earthly power endures. All empires fall; all rulers die; all glory fades. Only God's kingdom is everlasting.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the fellowship of fallen empires teach about earthly competition?
- How does death unite former rivals in common fate?
- What survives when all earthly kingdoms fall?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell pictures other fallen rulers greeting Egypt in Sheol. With them that help him means Egypt's allies also fell. They are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword describes their shared fate. The image of former rivals welcoming new arrivals to the realm of the dead is darkly ironic—death creates fellowship in judgment. Those who competed on earth share common doom in death. All human rivalry is temporary; death unites all in common fate apart from God.