King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 39:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 39:13 in the King James Version says “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, sai... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 39:13 · KJV


Context

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.

14

And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. men: Heb. men of continuance

15

And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog. set up: Heb. build


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown—The phrase kol-am ha-aretz (כָּל־עַם הָאָרֶץ) emphasizes corporate national participation. This is not delegated to priests or warriors alone; the entire covenant community engages in cleansing, demonstrating that God's victory benefits all Israel collectively.

The word renown (shem, שֵׁם) literally means "a name" or "reputation." The Hebrew construction suggests lasting memorial—Israel's fame will derive not from military prowess but from witnessing and participating in Yahweh's decisive intervention. The day that I shall be glorified uses the Niphal form hikavdi (הִכָּבְדִי), indicating God displays His own glory (kavod, כָּבוֹד) through this victory. Israel's renown is derivative, reflecting the radiance of God's vindicated character among the nations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel wrote during Israel's lowest point—Jerusalem destroyed, temple razed, people exiled. The promise that Israel would gain international renown reversed their current shame as defeated captives. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, defeated peoples lost their "name" (reputation), while victors gained glory.

This prophecy subverts conventional honor-shame dynamics: Israel's fame comes not through their strength but through God's self-glorification on their behalf. The phrase "the day that I shall be glorified" echoes Exodus 14:4,17-18, where God gained glory through Pharaoh's defeat at the Red Sea. Ezekiel presents the Gog victory as a new exodus, establishing Israel's reputation through divine intervention rather than human achievement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does corporate participation in burying enemies differ from individual heroic warfare narratives?
  2. In what ways does God receive glory through His people's participation in His redemptive work rather than bypassing them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְקָֽבְרוּ֙1 of 12

shall bury

H6912

to inter

כָּל2 of 12
H3605

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

עַ֣ם3 of 12

Yea all the people

H5971

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ4 of 12

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְהָיָ֥ה5 of 12
H1961

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

לָהֶ֖ם6 of 12
H0
לְשֵׁ֑ם7 of 12

them and it shall be to them a renown

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

י֚וֹם8 of 12

the 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

הִכָּ֣בְדִ֔י9 of 12

that I shall be glorified

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

נְאֻ֖ם10 of 12

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י11 of 12

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃12 of 12

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 39:13 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 39:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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