King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:15 in the King James Version says “When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I sha... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 32:15 · King James Version


Context

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

16

This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

17

It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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. God states the purpose of judgment: then shall they know that I am the LORD (ve-yadu ki-ani YHWH). This signature phrase appears over 70 times in Ezekiel. Judgment isn't vindictive but revelatory—designed to strip away false confidences and force recognition of Yahweh's unique deity and sovereign authority.

The land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full emphasizes total reversal. Egypt's famous fertility ("breadbasket of the ancient world"), teeming population, bustling commerce, magnificent cities—all reduced to emptiness. The Hebrew shamem (שָׁמֵם, "desolate") and neshamah (נְשַׁמָּה, "destitute") convey utter devastation. When I shall smite all them that dwell therein makes clear this is comprehensive, not selective judgment.

This reveals God's missionary purpose even in wrath: forcing acknowledgment of His lordship from those who refused voluntary worship. Romans 1:18-20 teaches that God's eternal power and deity are evident in creation, leaving humans without excuse. When people suppress this truth, God sometimes uses catastrophic judgment to shatter illusions and demand recognition. Better to know God through grace than through wrath, but knowing Him is the ultimate human obligation and destiny.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's wealth and fertility were legendary throughout the ancient world. Genesis describes Egypt as well-watered like the garden of the Lord (Genesis 13:10). During famines, surrounding nations looked to Egypt for grain (Genesis 41-42). Egypt's agricultural surplus, strategic location controlling trade routes, and monumental architecture made it seem invincible.

Nebuchadnezzar's invasion (568-567 BC) shattered this image. While not permanently depopulated, Egypt suffered significant devastation and never regained superpower status. The prophecy's fulfillment demonstrated that even mighty Egypt answered to Yahweh. For Jewish exiles, this vindicated Ezekiel's message: their God wasn't a weak tribal deity defeated by Babylon but the sovereign Lord of all nations who used Babylon to judge both His people (Judah) and His enemies (Egypt).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that judgment's purpose is revealing God's lordship (not mere punishment) affect your view of trials and discipline in your own life?
  2. What false securities or 'fullnesses' might God need to strip away from your life so you truly know Him as LORD?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
בְּתִתִּי֩1 of 17

When I shall make

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 17
H853

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

אֶ֚רֶץ3 of 17

and the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֜יִם4 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שְׁמָמָ֣ה5 of 17

desolate

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

וּנְשַׁמָּ֗ה6 of 17

shall be destitute

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

אֶ֚רֶץ7 of 17

and the country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִמְּלֹאָ֔הּ8 of 17

of that whereof it was full

H4393

fulness (literally or figuratively)

בְּהַכּוֹתִ֖י9 of 17

when I shall smite

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 17
H853

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

כָּל11 of 17
H3605

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

י֣וֹשְׁבֵי12 of 17

all them that dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָ֑הּ13 of 17
H0
וְיָדְע֖וּ14 of 17

therein then shall they know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי15 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י16 of 17
H589

i

יְהוָֽה׃17 of 17

that I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 32:15 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 32:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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