King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 38:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 38:20 in the King James Version says “So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that cr... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. steep: or, towers, or, stairs

Ezekiel 38:20 · KJV


Context

18

And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, that my fury shall come up in my face.

19

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

20

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. steep: or, towers, or, stairs

21

And I will call for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord GOD: every man's sword shall be against his brother.

22

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones , fire, and brimstone.


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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 27 words
וְרָעֲשׁ֣וּ1 of 27

shall shake

H7493

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

פְּנֵ֣י2 of 27

at my presence

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

דְּגֵ֣י3 of 27

So that the fishes

H1709

a fish (often used collectively)

הַיָּם֩4 of 27

of the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וְע֨וֹף5 of 27

and the fowls

H5775

a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively

הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם6 of 27

of the heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְחַיַּ֣ת7 of 27

and the beasts

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה8 of 27

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְכָל9 of 27
H3605

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

הָרֶ֙מֶשׂ֙10 of 27

and all creeping things

H7431

a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal

הָרֹמֵ֣שׂ11 of 27

that creep

H7430

properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm

עַל12 of 27
H5921

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

הָאֲדָמָ֑ה13 of 27

of the earth

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְכֹל֙14 of 27
H3605

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

הָֽאָדָ֔ם15 of 27

and all the men

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר16 of 27
H834

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

עַל17 of 27
H5921

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

פְּנֵ֣י18 of 27

at my presence

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאֲדָמָ֑ה19 of 27

of the earth

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְנֶהֶרְס֣וּ20 of 27

shall be thrown down

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

הֶהָרִ֗ים21 of 27

and the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

תִּפּֽוֹל׃22 of 27

shall fall

H5307

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

הַמַּדְרֵג֔וֹת23 of 27

and the steep places

H4095

properly, a step; by implication, a steep or inaccessible place

וְכָל24 of 27
H3605

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

חוֹמָ֖ה25 of 27

and every wall

H2346

a wall of protection

לָאָ֥רֶץ26 of 27

to the ground

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

תִּפּֽוֹל׃27 of 27

shall fall

H5307

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


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 38:20 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 38:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study