King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:24 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:24 in the King James Version says “There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down u...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 32:24 · King James Version


Context

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.

26

There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave continues the catalog of fallen nations in Sheol. All of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth describes their fate. Elam was east of Babylon (modern Iran). Which caused their terror in the land of the living notes they once terrorized others. Yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit means their terror couldn't prevent their own destruction and shame. Those who inspire fear ultimately experience fear; those who inflict shame ultimately bear shame. Divine justice is precisely reciprocal.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Elam was conquered by Assyria (circa 640 BC under Ashurbanipal), demonstrating that even regional powers fall when God decrees it. Elam's inclusion in this catalog of fallen nations reinforces the universal pattern: all earthly powers are temporary; all empires fall; only God's kingdom endures. Terror and military might provide no protection from divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does justice turn terror back on those who wielded it?
  2. What shame will we bear if we've inflicted shame on others?
  3. Why can't human terror protect from divine judgment?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
שָׁ֤ם1 of 26
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

עֵילָם֙2 of 26

“There is Elam”

H5867

elam, a son of shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six israelites

וְכָל3 of 26
H3605

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

הֲמוֹנָ֔הּ4 of 26

“and all her multitude”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

סְבִיב֖וֹת5 of 26

“round about”

H5439

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

קְבֻרָתָ֑הּ6 of 26

“her grave”

H6900

sepulture; (concretely) a sepulcher

כֻּלָּ֣ם7 of 26
H3605

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

חֲלָלִים֩8 of 26

“all of them slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

הַנֹּפְלִ֨ים9 of 26

“fallen”

H5307

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

בַּחֶ֜רֶב10 of 26

“by the sword”

H2719

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

אֲֽשֶׁר11 of 26
H834

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

י֥וֹרְדֵי12 of 26

“which are gone 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

עֲרֵלִ֣ים׀13 of 26

“uncircumcised”

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

אֶל14 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ15 of 26

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תַּחְתִּיּ֗וֹת16 of 26

“into the nether parts”

H8482

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר17 of 26
H834

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

נָתְנ֤וּ18 of 26

“which caused”

H5414

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

חִתִּיתָם֙19 of 26

“their terror”

H2851

fear

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ20 of 26

“in the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חַיִּ֔ים21 of 26

“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

וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ22 of 26

“yet have they borne”

H5375

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

כְלִמָּתָ֖ם23 of 26

“their shame”

H3639

disgrace

אֶת24 of 26
H854

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

י֥וֹרְדֵי25 of 26

“which are gone 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׃26 of 26

“to 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 32:24 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 32:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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