King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 32:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 32:3 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall brin... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 32:3 · 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.

5

And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God will spread His 'net' over Pharaoh with 'an assembly of many peoples'—multinational coalition (Babylon and allies) would capture Egypt like hunters netting prey. The imagery reduces mighty Pharaoh to caught fish, emphasizing helplessness before God. No creature escapes God's sovereign purposes. Human power is illusory when confronting divine judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's coalition included various subject peoples and allied forces. This international army fulfilled the prophecy of 'many peoples' bringing Egypt down. Historical records confirm Babylonian military operations against Egypt circa 568-567 BC.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereignty over the mightiest human powers encourage you in times of apparent powerlessness?
  2. What does it mean that God uses corporate action ('many peoples') to accomplish His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כֹּ֤ה1 of 13
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֙2 of 13

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 13

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֔ה4 of 13

GOD

H3069

god

וּפָרַשְׂתִּ֤י5 of 13

I will therefore spread out

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙6 of 13
H5921

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

אֶת7 of 13
H853

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

רִשְׁתִּ֔י8 of 13

my net

H7568

a net (as catching animals)

בִּקְהַ֖ל9 of 13

over thee with a company

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

עַמִּ֣ים10 of 13

people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַבִּ֑ים11 of 13

of many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְהֶעֱל֖וּךָ12 of 13

and they shall bring thee up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בְּחֶרְמִֽי׃13 of 13

in my net

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination


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 32:3 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 32:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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