King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 38:8 Mean?

Ezekiel 38:8 in the King James Version says “After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the s... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Ezekiel 38:8 · King James Version


Context

6

Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

7

Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them.

8

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

9

Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee.

10

Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: think: or, conceive a mischievous purpose


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
מִיָּמִ֣ים1 of 26

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

רַבִּ֔ים2 of 26

After many

H7227

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

תִּפָּקֵד֒3 of 26

thou shalt be visited

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

בְּאַחֲרִ֨ית4 of 26

in the latter

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

הַשָּׁנִ֜ים5 of 26

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תָּב֣וֹא׀6 of 26

thou shalt come

H935

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

אֶל7 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ׀8 of 26

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מְשׁוֹבֶ֣בֶת9 of 26

that is brought back

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מֵחֶ֗רֶב10 of 26

from the sword

H2719

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

מְקֻבֶּ֙צֶת֙11 of 26

and is gathered

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

מֵעַמִּ֣ים12 of 26

out of the nations

H5971

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

רַבִּ֔ים13 of 26

After many

H7227

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

עַ֚ל14 of 26
H5921

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

הָרֵ֣י15 of 26

against the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל16 of 26

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁר17 of 26
H834

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

הָי֥וּ18 of 26
H1961

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

לְחָרְבָּ֖ה19 of 26

waste

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

תָּמִ֑יד20 of 26

which have been always

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

וְהִיא֙21 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מֵעַמִּ֣ים22 of 26

out of the nations

H5971

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

הוּצָ֔אָה23 of 26

but it is brought forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְיָשְׁב֥וּ24 of 26

and they shall dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לָבֶ֖טַח25 of 26

safely

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

כֻּלָּֽם׃26 of 26
H3605

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


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 38:8 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 38:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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