Ezekiel 32:25
They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain.
Original Language Analysis
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
1 of 26
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
חֲלָלִ֖ים
of the slain
H2491
חֲלָלִ֖ים
of the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
2 of 26
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
נִתָּֽן׃
They have set
H5414
נִתָּֽן׃
They have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִשְׁכָּ֥ב
her a bed
H4904
מִשְׁכָּ֥ב
her a bed
Strong's:
H4904
Word #:
4 of 26
a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הֲמוֹנָ֔הּ
with all her multitude
H1995
הֲמוֹנָ֔הּ
with all her multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
7 of 26
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֖יו
are round about
H5439
סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֖יו
are round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
8 of 26
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
כֻּלָּ֣ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֣ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲרֵלִ֣ים
him all of them uncircumcised
H6189
עֲרֵלִ֣ים
him all of them uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
חֲלָלִ֖ים
of the slain
H2491
חֲלָלִ֖ים
of the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
12 of 26
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חֶ֡רֶב
by the sword
H2719
חֶ֡רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
13 of 26
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִתָּֽן׃
They have set
H5414
נִתָּֽן׃
They have set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חַיִּ֗ים
of the living
H2416
חַיִּ֗ים
of the living
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
18 of 26
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ
yet have they borne
H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ
yet have they borne
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
19 of 26
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 26
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
י֣וֹרְדֵי
with them that go down
H3381
י֣וֹרְדֵי
with them that go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
22 of 26
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
ב֔וֹר
to the pit
H953
ב֔וֹר
to the pit
Strong's:
H953
Word #:
23 of 26
a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֥וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
24 of 26
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Historical Context
Elam never regained independence or power after Assyrian conquest. The nation that once terrorized neighbors became a minor province under successive empires (Persian, Greek, Parthian). The pattern fulfilled Ezekiel's prophecy: once-terrifying Elam permanently humbled, her terror revealed as temporary, her shame eternal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the grave prove all human terror temporary?
- What distinguishes eternal shame from temporary humiliation?
- Why does death unite all earthly powers in common defeat?
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Analysis & Commentary
They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude pictures Elam's place among the dead. Her graves are round about him describes burial. All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword repeats their fate. Though their terror was caused in the land of the living notes past power. Yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit reiterates poetic justice. He is put in the midst of them that be slain places Elam among all the defeated. The repetition hammers home the message: all earthly terror ends in graves; all human power terminates in death; all pride descends to dust.