King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 39:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 39:11 in the King James Version says “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 pa... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 39:11 · KJV


Context

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.

13

Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea—The Hebrew maqom sham qever (מָקוֹם־שָׁם קֶבֶר) literally means "a place there, a grave," emphasizing the ironic destiny of Gog. Instead of conquering Israel, Gog receives only burial ground. The valley of the passengers (gey ha-overim, גֵּי הָעֹבְרִים) refers to a major thoroughfare, likely the valley between the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee, where travelers would pass.

The name Hamon-gog (הֲמוֹן גּוֹג) means "multitude of Gog" or "horde of Gog," memorializing the magnitude of this eschatological defeat. The phrase it shall stop the noses of the passengers graphically depicts the stench of unburied corpses blocking the route—the Hebrew chosemes (חֹסֶמֶת) means "stopping up" or "obstructing." This vivid imagery emphasizes the totality of divine judgment against those who assault God's covenant people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel prophesied this during the Babylonian exile (593-571 BCE), addressing both immediate concerns about Israel's enemies and eschatological themes of final judgment. The "valley of the passengers" likely refers to major trade routes through Israel connecting Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Arabia. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, unburied corpses were considered both a military disgrace and ritual defilement (Deuteronomy 21:23).

The seven-month burial period and the valley's renaming demonstrate that this prophecy concerns an unprecedented event. Many Reformed interpreters see this as unfulfilled eschatology pointing to Revelation 19-20's final battle, though some apply it symbolically to God's ongoing protection of the church against worldly powers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God transform Gog's intended conquest into a monument of divine judgment?
  2. What does the detailed burial account teach about God's concern for both justice and ritual purity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְהָיָ֣ה1 of 28
H1961

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

בַיּ֣וֹם2 of 28

And it shall come to pass in that day

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

הַה֡וּא3 of 28
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

אֶתֵּ֣ן4 of 28

that I will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

גּוֹג֙5 of 28

Gog

H1463

gog, the name of an israelite, also of some nothern nation

מְקֽוֹם6 of 28

a place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

שָׁ֨ם7 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

קֶ֜בֶר8 of 28

there of graves

H6913

a sepulcher

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל9 of 28

in Israel

H3478

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

גֵּ֖יא10 of 28

it The valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

הָעֹֽבְרִ֑ים11 of 28

of the passengers

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

קִדְמַ֣ת12 of 28

on the east

H6926

the forward part (or relatively) east (often adverbially, on the east or in front)

הַיָּ֔ם13 of 28

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

וְחֹסֶ֥מֶת14 of 28

and it shall stop

H2629

to muzzle; by analogy, to stop the nose

הִ֖יא15 of 28
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

אֶת16 of 28
H853

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

הָעֹֽבְרִ֑ים17 of 28

of the passengers

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וְקָ֣בְרוּ18 of 28

and there shall they bury

H6912

to inter

שָׁ֗ם19 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת20 of 28
H853

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

גּוֹג֙21 of 28

Gog

H1463

gog, the name of an israelite, also of some nothern nation

וְאֶת22 of 28
H853

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

כָּל23 of 28
H3605

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

הֲמוֹנֹ֔ה24 of 28

and all his multitude

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

וְקָ֣רְא֔וּ25 of 28

and they shall call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

גֵּ֖יא26 of 28

it The valley

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

הֲמ֥וֹן27 of 28
H0
גּֽוֹג׃28 of 28

of Hamongog

H1996

the multitude of gog; the name of an emblematic place in palestine


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 39:11 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 39:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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