King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:13 in the King James Version says “I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.”

Ezekiel 32:13 · KJV

Context

11

For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.

12

By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.

13

I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.

14

Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD.

15

When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am the LORD. destitute: Heb. desolate from the fulness thereof

Read Ezekiel 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them. God extends judgment beyond humans to animals, indicating total ecological devastation. The phrase all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters refers to the Nile's rich ecosystem—hippopotami, crocodiles, waterfowl, livestock watering at the river. The Nile was Egypt's lifeblood; its fertility supported dense populations and abundant wildlife.

Neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them describes eerie desolation. The waters become undisturbed—not because of ecological preservation but because depopulation has eliminated activity. The Hebrew dalach (דָּלַח, "trouble") means to stir up, make turbid, disturb. Egypt's bustling riverbanks will fall silent; no human foot or animal hoof will disturb the waters. This isn't peace but death—the stillness of abandonment.

This principle appears throughout Scripture: sin's consequences extend beyond the guilty to affect creation itself (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 8:19-22). When humans rebel against God, the earth suffers. Conversely, restoration includes ecological renewal (Isaiah 11:6-9, 35:1-7). The NT anticipates new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). Creation's fate is tied to humanity's relationship with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Nile River was Egypt's defining feature, flooding annually to deposit nutrient-rich silt that sustained agriculture. Egypt's population clustered along the Nile and its delta; the desert beyond was uninhabitable. Egyptian religion deified the Nile (Hapi, god of inundation), and crocodiles (Sobek) and hippos were considered sacred.

Ezekiel's prophecy of silent, undisturbed waters indicated catastrophic depopulation and economic collapse. While not literally fulfilled to complete desolation, Egypt's decline after Babylonian invasion was dramatic. The once-thriving riverbanks saw reduced activity; trade diminished; population fell. The prophecy's hyperbolic language emphasized the severity of judgment: Egypt's vitality would be drained, leaving mere remnants of former glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that sin's consequences extend beyond individuals to affect broader communities and creation inform your ethical decisions?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's sovereignty over not just human affairs but the entire created order?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְהַֽאֲבַדְתִּי֙1 of 16

“I will destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

אֶת2 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 16
H3605

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

בְּהֵמָ֖ה4 of 16

“also all the beasts”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

מֵעַ֖ל5 of 16

“thereof from”

H5921

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

מַ֣יִם6 of 16

“waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

רַבִּ֑ים7 of 16

“beside the great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְלֹ֨א8 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִדְלָחֵֽם׃9 of 16

“trouble”

H1804

to roil water

רֶֽגֶל10 of 16

“neither shall the foot”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

אָדָם֙11 of 16

“of man”

H120

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

ע֔וֹד12 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

וּפַרְס֥וֹת13 of 16

“them any more nor the hoofs”

H6541

a claw or split hoof

בְּהֵמָ֖ה14 of 16

“also all the beasts”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

לֹ֥א15 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִדְלָחֵֽם׃16 of 16

“trouble”

H1804

to roil water

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 32:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 32:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 29:11Ezekiel 29:8Ezekiel 32:2Ezekiel 34:18Ezekiel 30:12

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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