Ezekiel 38:8
After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
Original Language Analysis
מִיָּמִ֣ים
days
H3117
מִיָּמִ֣ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
רַבִּ֔ים
After many
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
After many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
2 of 26
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
תִּפָּקֵד֒
thou shalt be visited
H6485
תִּפָּקֵד֒
thou shalt be visited
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
3 of 26
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית
in the latter
H319
בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית
in the latter
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
4 of 26
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
תָּב֣וֹא׀
thou shalt come
H935
תָּב֣וֹא׀
thou shalt come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת
that is brought back
H7725
מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת
that is brought back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 26
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵחֶ֗רֶב
from the sword
H2719
מֵחֶ֗רֶב
from the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
10 of 26
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
מֵעַמִּ֣ים
out of the nations
H5971
מֵעַמִּ֣ים
out of the nations
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַבִּ֔ים
After many
H7227
רַבִּ֔ים
After many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
13 of 26
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָרֵ֣י
against the mountains
H2022
הָרֵ֣י
against the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
15 of 26
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָי֥וּ
H1961
הָי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְחָרְבָּ֖ה
waste
H2723
לְחָרְבָּ֖ה
waste
Strong's:
H2723
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
תָּמִ֑יד
which have been always
H8548
תָּמִ֑יד
which have been always
Strong's:
H8548
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
וְהִיא֙
H1931
וְהִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
21 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מֵעַמִּ֣ים
out of the nations
H5971
מֵעַמִּ֣ים
out of the nations
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
22 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הוּצָ֔אָה
but it is brought forth
H3318
הוּצָ֔אָה
but it is brought forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
23 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְיָשְׁב֥וּ
and they shall dwell
H3427
וְיָשְׁב֥וּ
and they shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Isaiah 24:22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.Ezekiel 38:16And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Ezekiel 34:13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
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.