Ezekiel 38:20

Authorized King James Version

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְרָעֲשׁ֣וּ

H7493

shall shake

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

פְּנֵ֣י

H6440

at my presence

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

דְּגֵ֣י

H1709

So that the fishes

a fish (often used collectively)

הַיָּם֩

H3220

of the sea

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וְע֨וֹף

H5775

and the fowls

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם

H8064

of the heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְחַיַּ֣ת

H2416

and the beasts

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה

H7704

of the field

a field (as flat)

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#10

הָרֶ֙מֶשׂ֙

H7431

and all creeping things

a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal

#11

הָרֹמֵ֣שׂ

H7430

that creep

properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm

#12

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#13

הָאֲדָמָ֑ה

H127

of the earth

soil (from its general redness)

#14

וְכֹל֙

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

הָֽאָדָ֔ם

H120

and all the men

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

#16

אֲשֶׁ֖ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#17

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#18

פְּנֵ֣י

H6440

at my presence

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#19

הָאֲדָמָ֑ה

H127

of the earth

soil (from its general redness)

#20

וְנֶהֶרְס֣וּ

H2040

shall be thrown down

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

#21

הֶהָרִ֗ים

H2022

and the mountains

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#22

תִּפּֽוֹל׃

H5307

shall fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

#23

הַמַּדְרֵג֔וֹת

H4095

and the steep places

properly, a step; by implication, a steep or inaccessible place

#24

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#25

חוֹמָ֖ה

H2346

and every wall

a wall of protection

#26

לָאָ֥רֶץ

H776

to the ground

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#27

תִּפּֽוֹל׃

H5307

shall fall

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezekiel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezekiel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Ezekiel chapter 38 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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