King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 32:6 Mean?
“I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee. the land wherein: or, the land of thy swimming”
Ezekiel 32:6 · KJV
Context
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.
6
I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee. the land wherein: or, the land of thy swimming
7
And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light. put: or, extinguish thee
8
All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD. bright: Heb. lights of the light in heaven dark: Heb. them dark
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThe land would be 'watered with thy blood' even to the mountains, and 'rivers shall be full' of blood. This extensive bloodshed imagery depicts comprehensive military defeat. Blood filling watercourses represents the magnitude of destruction. The reversal is poetic: Egypt depended on Nile water for life; now blood (death) would fill waterways.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
This language echoes the first plague on Egypt during the Exodus (Exodus 7:17-21) when Nile turned to blood. The parallel suggests God's consistency in judging Egyptian pride across generations. Historical patterns reveal eternal principles.
Reflection Questions
- How do you see God's consistent principles of judgment operating across different historical situations?
- What does repeated biblical imagery teach about God's character and methods?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsוְהִשְׁקֵיתִ֨י1 of 9
“I will also water”
H8248to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
מִדָּמְךָ֖4 of 9
“with thy blood”
H1818blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
הֶֽהָרִ֑ים6 of 9
“even to the mountains”
H2022a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַאֲפִקִ֖ים7 of 9
“and the rivers”
H650properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero
יִמָּלְא֥וּן8 of 9
“shall be full”
H4390to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
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 32:6 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 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge