King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:2 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:2 in the King James Version says “Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers. whale: or, dragon

Ezekiel 32:2 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

2

Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers. whale: or, dragon

3

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.

4

Then will I leave thee upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pharaoh is depicted as a 'young lion of the nations' and a 'dragon in the seas'—powerful, predatory, and dangerous. Yet despite self-perception as royal and majestic ('lion'), he's actually a destructive monster ('dragon') troubling the waters. This reveals the gap between self-perception and reality. Pride distorts self-understanding, seeing nobility where God sees destructiveness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The dragon (Hebrew 'tannin'—sea monster/crocodile) was Egypt's national symbol. Pharaoh's claim to divine status made him see himself as supreme, though God saw him as merely a large, dangerous animal to be hunted and destroyed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might your self-perception differ from God's perspective on your life and character?
  2. What role does honest self-examination play in spiritual growth and humility?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בֶּן1 of 23

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

אָדָ֗ם2 of 23

of man

H120

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

שָׂ֤א3 of 23

take up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

קִינָה֙4 of 23

a lamentation

H7015

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

עַל5 of 23
H5921

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

פַּרְעֹ֣ה6 of 23

for Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 23

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם8 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְאָמַרְתָּ֣9 of 23

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֔יו10 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כְּפִ֥יר11 of 23

a young lion

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

גּוֹיִ֖ם12 of 23

of the nations

H1471

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

נִדְמֵ֑יתָ13 of 23

unto him Thou art like

H1819

to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider

וְאַתָּה֙14 of 23
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

כַּתַּנִּ֣ים15 of 23

and thou art as a whale

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

בַּיַּמִּ֔ים16 of 23

in the seas

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַתָּ֣גַח17 of 23

and thou camest forth

H1518

to gush forth (as water), generally to issue

נַהֲרוֹתָֽם׃18 of 23

their rivers

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

וַתִּדְלַח19 of 23

and troubledst

H1804

to roil water

מַ֙יִם֙20 of 23

the waters

H4325

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

בְּרַגְלֶ֔יךָ21 of 23

with thy feet

H7272

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

וַתִּרְפֹּ֖ס22 of 23

and fouledst

H7515

to trample, i.e., roil water

נַהֲרוֹתָֽם׃23 of 23

their rivers

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity


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 32:2 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 32:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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