Ezekiel 32:30
There be the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians, which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might; and they lie uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword, and bear their shame with them that go down to the pit.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֣מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֣מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
1 of 23
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
נְסִיכֵ֥י
There be the princes
H5257
נְסִיכֵ֥י
There be the princes
Strong's:
H5257
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, something poured out, i.e., a libation; by implication, a prince (as anointed)
צָפ֛וֹן
of the north
H6828
צָפ֛וֹן
of the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
כֻּלָּ֖ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֖ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צִֽדֹנִ֑י
all of them and all the Zidonians
H6722
צִֽדֹנִ֑י
all of them and all the Zidonians
Strong's:
H6722
Word #:
6 of 23
a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
י֥וֹרְדֵי
which are gone down
H3381
י֥וֹרְדֵי
which are gone down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 23
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
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
חַלְלֵי
with the slain
H2491
חַלְלֵי
with the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
10 of 23
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
מִגְבֽוּרָתָם֙
of their might
H1369
מִגְבֽוּרָתָם֙
of their might
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
12 of 23
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
בּוֹשִׁ֔ים
they are ashamed
H954
בּוֹשִׁ֔ים
they are ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
וַיִּשְׁכְּב֤וּ
and they lie
H7901
וַיִּשְׁכְּב֤וּ
and they lie
Strong's:
H7901
Word #:
14 of 23
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
עֲרֵלִים֙
uncircumcised
H6189
עֲרֵלִים֙
uncircumcised
Strong's:
H6189
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
חַלְלֵי
with the slain
H2491
חַלְלֵי
with the slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
17 of 23
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
חֶ֔רֶב
by the sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
18 of 23
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
and bear
H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ
and bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
19 of 23
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
Ezekiel 38:6Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.Ezekiel 38:15And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:Ezekiel 39:2And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel:Ezekiel 28:21Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
Historical Context
Northern kingdoms (Syrian/Aramean states) and Sidon fell to Assyria (8th century BC), then Babylon (6th century BC). Their feared armies proved impotent before God's judgment. 'Princes of the north' became historical footnotes—exact identities now uncertain, illustrating how thoroughly they 'descended to the pit.' Their terror, once formidable, became shameful memory.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the irony of terrorists becoming ashamed of their might?
- How does earthly terror transform into eternal shame?
- What does the fate of 'princes of the north' (now barely remembered) teach about lasting significance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
There be the princes of the north, all of them, and all the Zidonians—נְסִיכֵי צָפוֹן (nĕsîkhê ṣāphôn, 'princes of the north')—likely rulers of Syrian/Aramean states. צִידֹנִים (Ṣîdōnîm, Sidonians)—Phoenician city already judged (28:20-23).
Which are gone down with the slain; with their terror they are ashamed of their might—Despite חִתִּיתָם (ḥittîtām, 'their terror/dread'), they're now בּוֹשִׁים (bôshîm, 'ashamed') מִגְבוּרָתָם (migbûrātām, 'of their might'). Warriors who terrorized others now experience shame—their might proved empty. And they lie uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword—The refrain: among עֲרֵלִים (ʿărēlîm, 'uncircumcised'), with חַלְלֵי־חֶרֶב (ḥallê-ḥereb, 'slain of the sword'). And bear their shame with them that go down to the pit—כְלִמָּה (kĕlimmāh, 'shame/disgrace') accompanies them to בּוֹר (bôr, 'pit'). Earthly terror becomes eternal shame.