Ezekiel 39:9
And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:
Original Language Analysis
וְֽיָצְא֞וּ
shall go forth
H3318
וְֽיָצְא֞וּ
shall go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י׀
And they that dwell
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י׀
And they that dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עָרֵ֣י
in the cities
H5892
עָרֵ֣י
in the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּנֶ֨שֶׁק
the weapons
H5402
בְּנֶ֨שֶׁק
the weapons
Strong's:
H5402
Word #:
7 of 19
military equipment, i.e., (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal
וּמָגֵ֤ן
both the shields
H4043
וּמָגֵ֤ן
both the shields
Strong's:
H4043
Word #:
8 of 19
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
וְצִנָּה֙
and the bucklers
H6793
וְצִנָּה֙
and the bucklers
Strong's:
H6793
Word #:
9 of 19
a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness)
בְּקֶ֣שֶׁת
the bows
H7198
בְּקֶ֣שֶׁת
the bows
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
10 of 19
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
וּבְחִצִּ֔ים
and the arrows
H2671
וּבְחִצִּ֔ים
and the arrows
Strong's:
H2671
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
וּבְמַקֵּ֥ל
H4731
וּבְמַקֵּ֥ל
Strong's:
H4731
Word #:
12 of 19
a shoot, i.e., stick (with leaves on, or for walking, striking, guiding, divining)
יָ֖ד
and the handstaves
H3027
יָ֖ד
and the handstaves
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וּבְרֹ֑מַח
and the spears
H7420
וּבְרֹ֑מַח
and the spears
Strong's:
H7420
Word #:
14 of 19
a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point
Cross References
Psalms 46:9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.Isaiah 66:24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.Joshua 11:6And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.Malachi 1:5And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
Historical Context
Ancient warfare left battlefields littered with abandoned weapons (wooden shields, spear shafts). Seven years' fuel represents staggering quantities—either literal (vast army) or symbolic (complete provision). For exiles facing bleak future, this image promised reversal: enemies' resources would sustain restored Israel. The number seven connects to sabbatical cycles (Leviticus 25), suggesting the defeat inaugurates rest-era for God's people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision through defeated enemies demonstrate His sovereignty over circumstances?
- What does the 'seven years' timeframe teach about the completeness and lasting effects of divine victory?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth—survivors emerge from defensive positions to burn enemy weaponry. The comprehensive list—shields and bucklers, bows and arrows, handstaves and spears—represents complete military arsenal. Israel shall burn them with fire seven years (שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים, sheva shanim), the number of completion/covenant (Genesis 2:2, Leviticus 25:8).
Seven years of fuel from weapons symbolizes total victory—so many armaments that Israel needs no other energy source. This is prophetic hyperbole illustrating absolute defeat: Gog's war machine becomes Israel's peacetime provision. The imagery reverses Isaiah 2:4 ('swords into plowshares')—here weapons serve domestic life through destruction, not transformation, demonstrating judgment's thorough nature.