Ezekiel 32:27
And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁכְּבוּ֙
And they shall not lie
H7901
יִשְׁכְּבוּ֙
And they shall not lie
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
2 of 25
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
of the mighty
H1368
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
of the mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
4 of 25
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
נֹפְלִ֖ים
that are fallen
H5307
נֹפְלִ֖ים
that are fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
5 of 25
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
מֵעֲרֵלִ֑ים
of the uncircumcised
H6189
מֵעֲרֵלִ֑ים
of the uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָרְדֽוּ
which are gone down
H3381
יָרְדֽוּ
which are gone down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 25
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
שְׁא֣וֹל
to hell
H7585
שְׁא֣וֹל
to hell
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
9 of 25
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
בִּכְלֵֽי
with their weapons
H3627
בִּכְלֵֽי
with their weapons
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
10 of 25
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
מִלְחַמְתָּם֩
of war
H4421
מִלְחַמְתָּם֩
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
11 of 25
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ
and they have laid
H5414
וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ
and they have laid
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם
their swords
H2719
חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם
their swords
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 25
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
תַּ֣חַת
H8478
תַּ֣חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
15 of 25
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
רָאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם
under their heads
H7218
רָאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם
under their heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
16 of 25
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַתְּהִ֤י
H1961
וַתְּהִ֤י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַצְמוֹתָ֔ם
shall be upon their bones
H6106
עַצְמוֹתָ֔ם
shall be upon their bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
20 of 25
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
of the mighty
H1368
גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים
of the mighty
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
23 of 25
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Cross References
Psalms 109:18As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.Job 20:11His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.Ezekiel 32:21The 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.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warrior burials included weapons—archaeological evidence from multiple cultures. The practice reflected belief in afterlife status. Ezekiel uses contemporary burial customs to depict Sheol's hierarchy: even in death, there are ranks. Egypt's disgrace is complete—not merely dead, but dishonored even among the dead. This would devastate Egyptian pride rooted in elaborate afterlife beliefs.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Sheol's hierarchy (honored vs. dishonored dead) teach about divine justice?
- How does Egyptian afterlife theology make this judgment especially cutting?
- What do iniquities 'upon their bones' teach about sin's permanence without atonement?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised—In Sheol's geography, warriors are ranked. Egypt's slain will not lie with גִּבּוֹרִים נֹפְלִים מֵעֲרֵלִים (gibbôrîm nōphĕlîm mēʿărēlîm, 'mighty fallen ones from the uncircumcised')—ancient warriors of renown.
Which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads—Ancient warriors buried with weapons, swords under heads as pillows—honor in death. But their iniquities shall be upon their bones—Despite martial honor, עֲוֺנֹתָם (ăwōnōtām, 'their iniquities') remain. Though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living—חִתִּית גִּבּוֹרִים (ḥittît gibbôrîm, 'terror of warriors')—feared in life, judged in death. Egypt won't even receive this dubious honor; her warriors are relegated to lower ranks in Sheol.