King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:23 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:23 in the King James Version says “Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living. terror: or, dismaying”

Ezekiel 32:23 · KJV

Context

21

The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.

22

Asshur is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword:

23

Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit, and her company is round about her grave: all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living. terror: or, dismaying

24

There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.

25

They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword: though their terror was caused in the land of the living, yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain.

Read Ezekiel 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whose graves are set in the sides of the pit continues describing Assyria's burial. And her company is round about her grave indicates mass burial. All of them slain, fallen by the sword, which caused terror in the land of the living notes the irony: those who terrorized others now lie defeated. Which caused terror emphasizes Assyria's brutal reputation—feared throughout the ancient world for extreme violence. Yet all their terror couldn't prevent their own destruction. Those who live by violence die by violence. Fear they inspired couldn't save them. Only God is ultimately fearsome.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian military brutality was legendary and deliberate—they used terror as policy, impaling, flaying, and mutilating captives to terrorize potential rebels. Assyrian records and reliefs boast of these atrocities. Yet all this cruelty couldn't prevent Assyria's fall. Violence begets violence; those who terrorize eventually face terror. Divine justice ensures evildoers experience what they inflicted on others.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fate of brutal empires demonstrate divine justice?
  2. What does violence begetting violence teach about earthly power?
  3. Why can't terror save those who employ it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתְנ֥וּ2 of 18

“are set”

H5414

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

קִבְרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙3 of 18

“Whose graves”

H6913

a sepulcher

בְּיַרְכְּתֵי4 of 18

“in the sides”

H3411

properly, the flank; but used only figuratively, the rear or recess

ב֔וֹר5 of 18

“of the pit”

H953

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

וַיְהִ֣י6 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

קְהָלָ֔הּ7 of 18

“and her company”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

סְבִיב֖וֹת8 of 18

“is round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

קְבֻרָתָ֑הּ9 of 18

“her grave”

H6900

sepulture; (concretely) a sepulcher

כֻּלָּ֤ם10 of 18
H3605

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

חֲלָלִים֙11 of 18

“all of them slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

נֹפְלִ֣ים12 of 18

“fallen”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בַּחֶ֔רֶב13 of 18

“by the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

אֲשֶׁר14 of 18
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתְנ֥וּ15 of 18

“are set”

H5414

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

חִתִּ֖ית16 of 18

“terror”

H2851

fear

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ17 of 18

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חַיִּֽים׃18 of 18

“of the living”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

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 32:23 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 32:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 26:20Psalms 27:13Ezekiel 32:24-27Ezekiel 26:17Job 28:13Isaiah 38:11

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