Ezekiel 39:10
So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׂא֨וּ
So that they shall take
H5375
יִשְׂא֨וּ
So that they shall take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
עֵצִ֜ים
no wood
H6086
עֵצִ֜ים
no wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
3 of 22
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיְּעָרִ֔ים
any out of the forests
H3293
הַיְּעָרִ֔ים
any out of the forests
Strong's:
H3293
Word #:
9 of 22
a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בַנֶּ֖שֶׁק
the weapons
H5402
בַנֶּ֖שֶׁק
the weapons
Strong's:
H5402
Word #:
11 of 22
military equipment, i.e., (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal
שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
and they shall spoil
H7997
שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
and they shall spoil
Strong's:
H7997
Word #:
14 of 22
to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
and they shall spoil
H7997
שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
and they shall spoil
Strong's:
H7997
Word #:
16 of 22
to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Isaiah 33:1Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.Isaiah 14:2And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.Micah 5:8And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Historical Context
This imagery would resonate powerfully with exiles who lost everything to Babylon—homes, temple treasures, land. The promise of spoiling spoilers offered hope: restoration wouldn't just return them to zero but enrich them through enemies' defeat. The eschatological vision assured that Israel's future security included economic abundance derived from God's judgment on attackers. No more victim status—vindication brings prosperity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'measure-for-measure' justice (spoiling the spoilers) reflect His righteousness and care for victims?
- In what ways might believers today experience provision through the defeat of spiritual enemies?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests—total energy independence through captured weapons. The contrast is stark: Israel's labor shifts from gathering firewood to burning enemy armaments. This fulfills prophetic reversal: they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them (וְשָׁלְלוּ אֶת־שֹׁלְלֵיהֶם וּבָזְזוּ אֶת־בֹּזְזֵיהֶם, veshalelu et-sholeleihem uvazazu et-bozezeihem).
The verb repetition (spoil/spoiled, rob/robbed) emphasizes poetic justice—measure-for-measure retribution. What Gog intended for Israel becomes Israel's inheritance. The phrase saith the Lord GOD (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, ne'um Adonai YHWH) seals divine guarantee. This mirrors Exodus 3:22, where Israel plundered Egypt—God ensures His people benefit from their oppressors' downfall.