King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 38:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 38:13 in the King James Version says “Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?”

Ezekiel 38:13 · KJV

Context

11

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, safely: or, confidently

12

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. To take: Heb. To spoil the spoil, and to prey the prey midst: Heb. navel

13

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

14

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?

15

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army:

Read Ezekiel 38 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This prophetic word demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and nations. Even pagan empires and hostile coalitions serve God's purposes while remaining morally accountable for their actions. This Reformed understanding of providence affirms that nothing occurs outside God's decree, yet human agents bear full responsibility for their choices. The prophecy serves pastoral purposes: assuring God's people of His protection, warning enemies of certain judgment, and demonstrating that history moves toward God's appointed end. These prophecies find layered fulfillment—immediate historical, ongoing spiritual, and ultimate eschatological.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 586-571 BCE) after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiled community grappled with theological and practical questions: Why had judgment come? Would restoration occur? How should they live in exile? The historical context of ancient Near Eastern covenant patterns, conquest and exile practices, and prophetic literature provides essential background. Archaeological discoveries from this period illuminate the exile's realities and the return's historical fulfillment. Yet Ezekiel's prophecies extend beyond immediate historical context to find fuller realization in Christ and the church, with ultimate consummation in the new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's character, purposes, or ways of working in history?
  2. What specific application does this passage call you to make in your current circumstances or spiritual life?
  3. How does this Old Testament passage illuminate New Testament teaching about Christ, salvation, or the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
שְׁבָ֡א1 of 25

“Sheba”

H7614

sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an ethiopian district

וּ֠דְדָן2 of 25

“and Dedan”

H1719

dedan, the name of two cushites and of their territory

וְסֹחֲרֵ֨י3 of 25

“and the merchants”

H5503

to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate

תַרְשִׁ֤ישׁ4 of 25

“of Tarshish”

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

וְכָל5 of 25
H3605

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

כְּפִירֶ֙יהָ֙6 of 25

“with all the young lions”

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

יֹאמְר֣וּ7 of 25

“thereof shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְךָ֔8 of 25
H0
לִשְׁלֹ֖ל9 of 25

“to take”

H7997

to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder

שָׁלָ֥ל10 of 25

“a spoil”

H7998

booty

אַתָּ֣ה11 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָ֔א12 of 25

“unto thee Art thou come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הֲלָבֹ֥ז13 of 25

“to take”

H962

to plunder

בַּ֖ז14 of 25

“a prey”

H957

plunder

הִקְהַ֣לְתָּ15 of 25

“hast thou gathered”

H6950

to convoke

קְהָלֶ֑ךָ16 of 25

“thy company”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

לָשֵׂ֣את׀17 of 25

“to carry away”

H5375

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

כֶּ֣סֶף18 of 25

“silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָ֗ב19 of 25

“and gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לָקַ֙חַת֙20 of 25

“to take away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִקְנֶ֣ה21 of 25

“cattle”

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וְקִנְיָ֔ן22 of 25

“and goods”

H7075

creation, i.e., (concretely) creatures; also acquisition, purchase, wealth

לִשְׁלֹ֖ל23 of 25

“to take”

H7997

to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder

שָׁלָ֥ל24 of 25

“a spoil”

H7998

booty

גָּדֽוֹל׃25 of 25

“a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 38:13 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 38:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 27:15Ezekiel 27:22-23Ezekiel 32:2Ezekiel 27:12Ezekiel 27:20Ezekiel 19:3-6

Places in This Verse

DedanSettlement · Modern: Al Khuraybah · 26.65°N, 37.92°E7 verses across 3 books
Sheba 1Region · Modern: Sheba · 15.35°N, 44.21°E18 verses across 8 books
Tarshish 1Settlement · Modern: Huelva · 37.27°N, -6.94°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in Ezekiel 38 →

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