King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:25 in the King James Version says “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 un... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 32:25 · King James Version


Context

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.

27

And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. with their: Heb. with weapons of their war


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
They have set her a bed in the midst of the slain with all her multitude pictures Elam's place among the dead. Her graves are round about him describes burial. All of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword repeats their fate. Though their terror was caused in the land of the living notes past power. Yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit reiterates poetic justice. He is put in the midst of them that be slain places Elam among all the defeated. The repetition hammers home the message: all earthly terror ends in graves; all human power terminates in death; all pride descends to dust.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Elam never regained independence or power after Assyrian conquest. The nation that once terrorized neighbors became a minor province under successive empires (Persian, Greek, Parthian). The pattern fulfilled Ezekiel's prophecy: once-terrifying Elam permanently humbled, her terror revealed as temporary, her shame eternal.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the grave prove all human terror temporary?
  2. What distinguishes eternal shame from temporary humiliation?
  3. Why does death unite all earthly powers in common defeat?

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


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
בְּת֥וֹךְ1 of 26

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

חֲלָלִ֖ים2 of 26

of the slain

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

נִתָּֽן׃3 of 26

They have set

H5414

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

מִשְׁכָּ֥ב4 of 26

her a bed

H4904

a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse

לָהּ֙5 of 26
H0
בְּכָל6 of 26
H3605

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

הֲמוֹנָ֔הּ7 of 26

with all her multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֖יו8 of 26

are round about

H5439

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

קִבְרֹתֶ֑הָ9 of 26

her graves

H6913

a sepulcher

כֻּלָּ֣ם10 of 26
H3605

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

עֲרֵלִ֣ים11 of 26

him all of them uncircumcised

H6189

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

חֲלָלִ֖ים12 of 26

of the slain

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

חֶ֡רֶב13 of 26

by the sword

H2719

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

כִּֽי14 of 26
H3588

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

נִתָּֽן׃15 of 26

They have set

H5414

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

חִתִּיתָ֜ם16 of 26

though their terror

H2851

fear

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ17 of 26

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חַיִּ֗ים18 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

וַיִּשְׂא֤וּ19 of 26

yet have they borne

H5375

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

כְלִמָּתָם֙20 of 26

their shame

H3639

disgrace

אֶת21 of 26
H854

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

י֣וֹרְדֵי22 of 26

with them that go 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

ב֔וֹר23 of 26

to the pit

H953

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

בְּת֥וֹךְ24 of 26

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

חֲלָלִ֖ים25 of 26

of the slain

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

נִתָּֽן׃26 of 26

They have set

H5414

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


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 32:25 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 32:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study