King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 39:10 Mean?

Ezekiel 39:10 in the King James Version says “So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapo...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.”

Ezekiel 39:10 · KJV

Context

8

Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.

9

And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves , and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: handstaves: or, javelins burn them: or, make a fire of them

10

So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

11

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamongog. noses: or, mouths Hamongog: that is, The multitude of Gog

12

And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land.

Read Ezekiel 39 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests—total energy independence through captured weapons. The contrast is stark: Israel's labor shifts from gathering firewood to burning enemy armaments. This fulfills prophetic reversal: they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them (וְשָׁלְלוּ אֶת־שֹׁלְלֵיהֶם וּבָזְזוּ אֶת־בֹּזְזֵיהֶם, veshalelu et-sholeleihem uvazazu et-bozezeihem).

The verb repetition (spoil/spoiled, rob/robbed) emphasizes poetic justice—measure-for-measure retribution. What Gog intended for Israel becomes Israel's inheritance. The phrase saith the Lord GOD (נְאֻם אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, ne'um Adonai YHWH) seals divine guarantee. This mirrors Exodus 3:22, where Israel plundered Egypt—God ensures His people benefit from their oppressors' downfall.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This imagery would resonate powerfully with exiles who lost everything to Babylon—homes, temple treasures, land. The promise of spoiling spoilers offered hope: restoration wouldn't just return them to zero but enrich them through enemies' defeat. The eschatological vision assured that Israel's future security included economic abundance derived from God's judgment on attackers. No more victim status—vindication brings prosperity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'measure-for-measure' justice (spoiling the spoilers) reflect His righteousness and care for victims?
  2. In what ways might believers today experience provision through the defeat of spiritual enemies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשְׂא֨וּ2 of 22

“So that they shall take”

H5375

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

עֵצִ֜ים3 of 22

“no wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

מִן4 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה5 of 22

“out of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְלֹ֤א6 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַחְטְבוּ֙7 of 22

“neither cut down”

H2404

to chop or carve wood

מִן8 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיְּעָרִ֔ים9 of 22

“any out of the forests”

H3293

a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)

כִּ֥י10 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בַנֶּ֖שֶׁק11 of 22

“the weapons”

H5402

military equipment, i.e., (collectively) arms (offensive or defensive), or (concretely) an arsenal

יְבַֽעֲרוּ12 of 22

“for they shall burn”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

אֵ֑שׁ13 of 22

“with fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם14 of 22

“and they shall spoil”

H7997

to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder

אֶת15 of 22
H853

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

שֹׁלְלֵיהֶ֗ם16 of 22

“and they shall spoil”

H7997

to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder

בֹּ֣זְזֵיהֶ֔ם17 of 22

“them and rob”

H962

to plunder

אֶת18 of 22
H853

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

בֹּ֣זְזֵיהֶ֔ם19 of 22

“them and rob”

H962

to plunder

נְאֻ֖ם20 of 22

“them saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י21 of 22

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃22 of 22

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 39:10 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 39:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 33:1Isaiah 14:2Micah 5:8Exodus 12:36Habakkuk 3:8Exodus 3:22

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