Ezekiel 38:4
And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords:
Original Language Analysis
וְשׁ֣וֹבַבְתִּ֔יךָ
And I will turn thee back
H7725
וְשׁ֣וֹבַבְתִּ֔יךָ
And I will turn thee back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and put
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בִּלְחָיֶ֑יךָ
into thy jaws
H3895
בִּלְחָיֶ֑יךָ
into thy jaws
Strong's:
H3895
Word #:
4 of 21
the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone
וְהוֹצֵאתִי֩
and I will bring thee forth
H3318
וְהוֹצֵאתִי֩
and I will bring thee forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אוֹתְךָ֙
H853
אוֹתְךָ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֵילֶ֜ךָ
and all thine army
H2428
חֵילֶ֜ךָ
and all thine army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
9 of 21
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וּפָרָשִׁ֗ים
and horsemen
H6571
וּפָרָשִׁ֗ים
and horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
11 of 21
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
לְבֻשֵׁ֤י
all of them clothed
H3847
לְבֻשֵׁ֤י
all of them clothed
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
מִכְלוֹל֙
with all sorts
H4358
מִכְלוֹל֙
with all sorts
Strong's:
H4358
Word #:
13 of 21
perfection (i.e., concrete adverbial, splendidly)
כֻּלָּ֔ם
H3605
כֻּלָּ֔ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָב֙
of armour even a great
H7227
רָב֙
of armour even a great
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
16 of 21
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
צִנָּ֣ה
with bucklers
H6793
צִנָּ֣ה
with bucklers
Strong's:
H6793
Word #:
17 of 21
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
וּמָגֵ֔ן
and shields
H4043
וּמָגֵ֔ן
and shields
Strong's:
H4043
Word #:
18 of 21
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
תֹּפְשֵׂ֥י
all of them handling
H8610
תֹּפְשֵׂ֥י
all of them handling
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
19 of 21
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:4But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.Daniel 11:40And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.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:2 Kings 19:28Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.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:
Historical Context
This passage was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 586-571 BCE) after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiled community grappled with theological and practical questions: Why had judgment come? Would restoration occur? How should they live in exile? The historical context of ancient Near Eastern covenant patterns, conquest and exile practices, and prophetic literature provides essential background. Archaeological discoveries from this period illuminate the exile's realities and the return's historical fulfillment. Yet Ezekiel's prophecies extend beyond immediate historical context to find fuller realization in Christ and the church, with ultimate consummation in the new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's character, purposes, or ways of working in history?
- What specific application does this passage call you to make in your current circumstances or spiritual life?
- How does this Old Testament passage illuminate New Testament teaching about Christ, salvation, or the church?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This prophetic word demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and nations. Even pagan empires and hostile coalitions serve God's purposes while remaining morally accountable for their actions. This Reformed understanding of providence affirms that nothing occurs outside God's decree, yet human agents bear full responsibility for their choices. The prophecy serves pastoral purposes: assuring God's people of His protection, warning enemies of certain judgment, and demonstrating that history moves toward God's appointed end. These prophecies find layered fulfillment—immediate historical, ongoing spiritual, and ultimate eschatological.