King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:18 in the King James Version says “Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.”

Ezekiel 32:18 · KJV

Context

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,

18

Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.

19

Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.

20

They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes. she: or, the sword is laid

Read Ezekiel 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt introduces a lament for Egypt's population. And cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth predicts descent into Sheol (the realm of the dead). With them that go down into the pit places Egypt among defeated nations in the afterlife. This is prophetic certainty—speak of future judgment as already accomplished. The famous nations' daughters suggests even allied/related peoples share Egypt's fate. Judgment affects not just the primary target but all connected to them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern conceptions of the afterlife pictured Sheol/the pit as a shadowy underworld where the dead exist in weakened state. Ezekiel uses this imagery to depict Egypt joining other fallen empires in the realm of the dead—no longer powerful but defeated, no longer proud but humbled. Death is the great equalizer.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does descent into the pit teach about death as the great equalizer?
  2. How does afterlife imagery serve prophetic purposes?
  3. What does shared judgment teach about corporate accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
בֶּן1 of 17

“Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֕ם2 of 17

“of man”

H120

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

נְהֵ֛ה3 of 17

“wail”

H5091

to groan, i.e., bewail; hence (through the idea of crying aloud), to assemble (as if on proclamation)

עַל4 of 17
H5921

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

הֲמ֥וֹן5 of 17

“for the multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

מִצְרַ֖יִם6 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

י֥וֹרְדֵי7 of 17

“and cast them down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

א֠וֹתָהּ8 of 17
H853

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

וּבְנ֨וֹת9 of 17

“even her and the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

גּוֹיִ֧ם10 of 17

“nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אַדִּרִ֛ם11 of 17

“of the famous”

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

אֶל12 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ13 of 17

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תַּחְתִּיּ֖וֹת14 of 17

“unto the nether parts”

H8482

lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)

אֶת15 of 17
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

י֥וֹרְדֵי16 of 17

“and cast them down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

בֽוֹר׃17 of 17

“into the pit”

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

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 32:18 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 32:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 31:14Ezekiel 32:2Ezekiel 32:16Jeremiah 1:10Micah 1:8Ezekiel 43:3

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 32 →

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