King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:27 in the King James Version says “And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weap... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 32:27 · KJV


Context

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

28

Yea, thou shalt be broken in the midst of the uncircumcised, and shalt lie with them that are slain with the sword.

29

There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit. laid: Heb. given, or, put


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised—In Sheol's geography, warriors are ranked. Egypt's slain will not lie with גִּבּוֹרִים נֹפְלִים מֵעֲרֵלִים (gibbôrîm nōphĕlîm mēʿărēlîm, 'mighty fallen ones from the uncircumcised')—ancient warriors of renown.

Which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads—Ancient warriors buried with weapons, swords under heads as pillows—honor in death. But their iniquities shall be upon their bones—Despite martial honor, עֲוֺנֹתָם (ăwōnōtām, 'their iniquities') remain. Though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living—חִתִּית גִּבּוֹרִים (ḥittît gibbôrîm, 'terror of warriors')—feared in life, judged in death. Egypt won't even receive this dubious honor; her warriors are relegated to lower ranks in Sheol.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warrior burials included weapons—archaeological evidence from multiple cultures. The practice reflected belief in afterlife status. Ezekiel uses contemporary burial customs to depict Sheol's hierarchy: even in death, there are ranks. Egypt's disgrace is complete—not merely dead, but dishonored even among the dead. This would devastate Egyptian pride rooted in elaborate afterlife beliefs.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Sheol's hierarchy (honored vs. dishonored dead) teach about divine justice?
  2. How does Egyptian afterlife theology make this judgment especially cutting?
  3. What do iniquities 'upon their bones' teach about sin's permanence without atonement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְלֹ֤א1 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשְׁכְּבוּ֙2 of 25

And they shall not lie

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֶת3 of 25
H854

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

גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים4 of 25

of the mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

נֹפְלִ֖ים5 of 25

that are fallen

H5307

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

מֵעֲרֵלִ֑ים6 of 25

of the uncircumcised

H6189

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 25
H834

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

יָרְדֽוּ8 of 25

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

שְׁא֣וֹל9 of 25

to hell

H7585

hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates

בִּכְלֵֽי10 of 25

with their weapons

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

מִלְחַמְתָּם֩11 of 25

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וַיִּתְּנ֨וּ12 of 25

and they have laid

H5414

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

אֶת13 of 25
H853

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

חַרְבוֹתָ֜ם14 of 25

their swords

H2719

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

תַּ֣חַת15 of 25
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

רָאשֵׁיהֶ֗ם16 of 25

under their heads

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַתְּהִ֤י17 of 25
H1961

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

עֲוֹֽנֹתָם֙18 of 25

but their iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

עַל19 of 25
H5921

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

עַצְמוֹתָ֔ם20 of 25

shall be upon their bones

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

כִּֽי21 of 25
H3588

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

חִתִּ֥ית22 of 25

though they were the terror

H2851

fear

גִּבּוֹרִ֖ים23 of 25

of the mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ24 of 25

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חַיִּֽים׃25 of 25

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 32:27 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 32:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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