Ezekiel 32:3
Ezekiel 32:3 in Multiple Translations
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will spread My net over you with a company of many peoples, and they will draw you up in My net.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will spread out my net upon thee with a company of many peoples; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
This is what the Lord has said: My net will be stretched out over you, and I will take you up in my fishing-net.
This is what the Lord God says: In the presence of many nations I'm going to spread my net over you, and they will pull you up in my net.
Thus sayth the Lord God, I will therefore spread my net ouer thee with a great multitude of people, and they shall make thee come vp into my net.
Thus said the Lord Jehovah: And — I have spread out for thee My net, With an assembly of many peoples, And they have brought thee up in My net.
The Lord GOD says: “I will spread out my net on you with a company of many peoples. They will bring you up in my net.
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
Therefore, thus saith the Lord God: I will spread out my net over thee with the multitude of many people, and I will draw thee up in my net.
But this is what Yahweh the Lord says: “I will send many people to throw my net over you, and they will haul/drag you up onto the land in my net.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 32:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 32:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֹּ֤ה
אָמַר֙
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
יְהוִ֔ה
וּ/פָרַשְׂתִּ֤י
עָלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
אֶת
רִשְׁתִּ֔/י
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
עַמִּ֣ים
רַבִּ֑ים
וְ/הֶעֱל֖וּ/ךָ
בְּ/חֶרְמִֽ/י
כֹּ֤ה
kôh
H3541
thus
Adv
אָמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
Lord
N-mp | Suff
יְהוִ֔ה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
YHWH/God
N-proper
וּ/פָרַשְׂתִּ֤י
pâras
H6566
to spread
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
עָלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
רִשְׁתִּ֔/י
resheth
H7568
net
N-fs | Suff
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
qâhâl
H6951
assembly
Prep | N-ms
עַמִּ֣ים
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-mp
רַבִּ֑ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
וְ/הֶעֱל֖וּ/ךָ
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Hiphil-3cp | Suff
בְּ/חֶרְמִֽ/י
chêrem
H2764
devoted thing
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 32:3
כֹּ֤ה
kôh
H3541
"thus"
Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
אָמַר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲדֹנָ֣/י
ʼĂdônây
H136
"Lord"
N-mp | Suff
Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.
Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.
יְהוִ֔ה
Yᵉhôvih
H3069
"YHWH/God"
N-proper
YHWH is a name for God, often used in combination with 'Lord'. It is similar to Yehovah, but with different vowels. This name emphasizes God's power and authority.
Definition: 1) Jehovah-used primarily in the combination 'Lord Jehovah' 1a) equal to ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) but pointed with the vowels of e.lo.him (אֱלֹהִים "God" H0430)
Usage: Occurs in 296 OT verses. KJV: God. See also: Genesis 15:2; Ezekiel 14:21; Psalms 68:21.
וּ/פָרַשְׂתִּ֤י
pâras
H6566
"to spread"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to spread or break something apart, like scattering or stretching out. It is used to describe physical and figurative actions in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to spread, spread out, stretch, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to spread out, display 1a2) to spread over 1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be spread out 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to spread out 1c1) to scatter
Usage: Occurs in 66 OT verses. KJV: break, chop in pieces, lay open, scatter, spread (abroad, forth, selves, out), stretch (forth, out). See also: Exodus 9:29; Psalms 44:21; Psalms 68:15.
עָלֶ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
רִשְׁתִּ֔/י
resheth
H7568
"net"
N-fs | Suff
A net used for catching animals, but also a symbol of judgment or a trap. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it describes a net that can snare people. The tabernacle even had a network of bronze for its altar.
Definition: 1) net 1a) net 1a1) for catching 1a2) of judgment (fig) 1a3) of leaders leading people to sin 1a4) as a trap for man 1b) network (brazen-for altar of tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: net(-work). See also: Exodus 27:4; Psalms 57:7; Psalms 9:16.
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
qâhâl
H6951
"assembly"
Prep | N-ms
A group of people gathered together, like the congregation in Solomon's temple or a crowd in the streets of Jerusalem.
Definition: 1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation 1a) assembly 1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes 1b) company (of returning exiles) 1c) congregation 1c1) as organised body
Usage: Occurs in 116 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude. See also: Genesis 28:3; 2 Chronicles 28:14; Psalms 22:23.
עַמִּ֣ים
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-mp
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
רַבִּ֑ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
וְ/הֶעֱל֖וּ/ךָ
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Hiphil-3cp | Suff
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
בְּ/חֶרְמִֽ/י
chêrem
H2764
"devoted thing"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A net or doomed object, like the cursed things the Israelites were warned against in Joshua 6:18.
Definition: 1) a thing devoted, thing dedicated, ban, devotion 2) have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: (ac-) curse(-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net. See also: Leviticus 27:21; 1 Kings 20:42; Isaiah 34:5.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 32:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 32:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 32:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 32:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 32:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
- Sermons on Ezekiel 32:3
Context — A Lament for Pharaoh King of Egypt
1In the twelfth year, on the first day of the twelfth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’
3This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will spread My net over you with a company of many peoples, and they will draw you up in My net.
4I will abandon you on the land and hurl you into the open field. I will cause all the birds of the air to settle upon you, and all the beasts of the earth to eat their fill of you. 5I will put your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your remains.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 12:13 | But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 16:16 | But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 9:12 | For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them. |
| 4 | Habakkuk 1:14–17 | You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler. The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich. Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy? |
| 5 | Lamentations 1:13 | He sent fire from on high, and it overpowered my bones. He spread a net for my feet and turned me back. He made me desolate, faint all the day long. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 17:20 | I will spread My net over him and catch him in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there for the treason he committed against Me. |
| 7 | Hosea 7:12 | As they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air. I will chastise them when I hear them flocking together. |
Ezekiel 32:3 Summary
This verse means that God is in control of everything and everyone, and He can use anyone or any group to bring judgment upon those who disobey Him, just like a fisherman uses a net to catch fish. According to Ezekiel 32:3, God will use a group of people to bring judgment upon Pharaoh, and this is a reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers (as seen in Daniel 4:32). This verse also reminds us that we should not try to escape God's judgment by our own strength, but instead, we should turn to Him in repentance and faith, as seen in Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to spread His net over someone?
According to Ezekiel 32:3, when God spreads His net over someone, it means He is using a group of people to bring judgment upon them, much like a fisherman catches fish in a net, as seen in Ezekiel 12:13 where God says He will spread His net over the king of Babylon.
Is God's judgment always immediate?
No, God's judgment is not always immediate, as seen in Ezekiel 32:3, where God declares He will spread His net over Pharaoh, but the actual event may take time to unfold, similar to the prophesied judgment in Isaiah 13:19, which was fulfilled years later.
Can people escape God's judgment by their own strength?
No, according to Psalm 31:4, God's net is inescapable, and those who try to escape by their own strength will ultimately fail, as seen in the example of Jonah 1:17, where Jonah tried to flee from God but was caught in a net of circumstances that led him back to his calling.
Is God's judgment only for individuals or can it be for nations as well?
According to Ezekiel 32:3, God's judgment can be for both individuals and nations, as seen in the case of Pharaoh and Egypt, where God judged the entire nation for its sins, as also prophesied in Jeremiah 25:15-16, where God declares judgment on all nations.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which God's judgment can be seen in the world today, and how can we learn from them?
- How can we avoid being caught in the net of God's judgment, and what steps can we take to ensure we are living according to His will?
- What does it mean to be 'drawn up' in God's net, and how can we apply this concept to our own lives and spiritual journeys?
- In what ways can we see the sovereignty of God at work in the world, even in the midst of judgment and chaos?
- How can we balance the concept of God's judgment with His love and mercy, and what does this mean for our understanding of His character?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 32:3
Thus saith the Lord God,.... The Lord God Almighty, who is able to manage this fierce and turbulent creature, this mighty monarch and disturber of the nations: I will therefore spread out my net over
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 32:3
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
My net; a large, long, and wide net, drawn out to full extent. Over thee; with which both lions and crocodiles might be taken, and in which this lion and crocodile should certainly be taken; for God, whose hand never erreth, will spread the net. With a company of many people: in the countries where these creatures were hunted, they went in mighty companies to the game, as they accounted it. Bring thee up in my net; drag thee along to destroy thee, pull thee up out of the pit, in which the net was laid to take the lion to kill him, and draw this crocodile up out of the water for the same end; in brief, war by land and sea by a confederacy of many people against Hophra shall be God’ s net, wherein he shall be taken, kept a prisoner, as he was, and at last strangled: see .
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
Ezekiel 32:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net.Ver. 3. I will therefore spread out my net.] Thou shalt be taken in an evil net, when thou little thinkest of it: "Evil shall hunt the violent man, to overthrow him." Look how Leo cassibus irretitus ait, Si praescivissem; and as the whale, enclosed by fishers, is lugged to land, done to death, cleft in pieces with axes, his flesh being made a prey for birds and beasts, his blood far and near drenching the earth, so shall it fare with Pharaoh and his forces.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
(3) Spread out my net over thee.—The figure (Ezekiel 32:4-6) of drawing the crocodile to land and casting him upon the desert for food to the birds and beasts of prey is the same as in Ezekiel 29:4-5. (Comp. also Ezekiel 31:12-13.) In Ezekiel 32:6, “the land wherein thou swimmest” is, literally, the land of thine outflow, and may be taken either of the land on which his blood is poured out, or, more probably, the land of the inundations of the Nile, now to be watered with blood.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 32:3
3. Jehovah shall drag him out with his net by means of many peoples (Ezekiel 32:11-12). On figure, cf. Ezekiel 12:13, Ezekiel 17:20; Hosea 7:12. For people read peoples.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 32:3
3. They shall bring me up in my net — LXX., I will, etc. Jehovah will capture the great monster in a net as if he were a harmless bird. (Compare Ezekiel 29:4.) For people read, as usual, peoples.
Sermons on Ezekiel 32:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Slightly Healed by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the disappointment of God with His chosen people, using the analogy of a vineyard. Despite God's efforts to cultivate and protect His people, |
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Four R's of the Gospel: Ruin by E.A. Johnston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the four key doctrines of Rune, Redemption, Repentance, and Regeneration in the proper order. He highlights |
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Snared in an Evil Time by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher warns about the snare of Satan and how many people, including Christians, are falling into it. He emphasizes the urgency of being prepared for the evil |
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Slippery When by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of going door-to-door to evangelize. He encounters a man who is initially resistant but eventually sits down to listen. Th |
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This Very Year You Are Going to Die! by Samuel Davies | Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon at Princeton College in 1761, warning the audience about the certainty and unpredictability of death. He emphasizes the need for serious re |
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Waiting Too Long by Joseph Parker | Joseph Parker preaches about the waiting and groaning of the impotent folk in the porches, likening it to the perpetual crisis of life where we are always on the brink of death. He |
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Being Prepared by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the importance of being prudent and prepared for adversity, drawing lessons from biblical figures like Noah, Joseph, and the Apostle Paul who faced hardsh |