Ezekiel 39:18
Ezekiel 39:18 in Multiple Translations
You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan.
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
The flesh of the men of war will be your food, and your drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of sheep and lambs, of he-goats, of oxen, all of them fat beasts of Bashan.
You will eat the flesh of the powerful and drink the blood of the world's leaders just as if they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals that come from Bashan.
Ye shall eate the flesh of the valiant, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of the weathers, of the lambes, and of the goates, and of bullockes, euen of all fat beastes of Bashan.
Flesh of the mighty ye do eat, And blood of princes of the earth ye drink, Of rams, of lambs, and of he-goats, Of calves, fatlings of Bashan — all of them.
You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and you shall drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, and of lambs, and of he goats, and bullocks, and of all that are well fed and fat.
You will eat the flesh of strong soldiers and drink the blood of kings as if they were fat animals—rams and lambs, goats and bulls—from the Bashan region.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 39:18
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 39:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּשַׂ֤ר
גִּבּוֹרִים֙
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ
וְ/דַם
נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
תִּשְׁתּ֑וּ
אֵילִ֨ים
כָּרִ֤ים
וְ/עַתּוּדִים֙
פָּרִ֔ים
מְרִיאֵ֥י
בָשָׁ֖ן
כֻּלָּֽ/ם
בְּשַׂ֤ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
גִּבּוֹרִים֙
gibbôwr
H1368
mighty man
Adj
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
וְ/דַם
dâm
H1818
blood
Conj | N-ms
נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
leader
N-mp
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
תִּשְׁתּ֑וּ
shâthâh
H8354
to drink
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
אֵילִ֨ים
ʼayil
H352
ram
N-mp
כָּרִ֤ים
kar
H3733
saddle
N-mp
וְ/עַתּוּדִים֙
ʻattûwd
H6260
goat
Conj | N-mp
פָּרִ֔ים
par
H6499
bullock
N-mp
מְרִיאֵ֥י
mᵉrîyʼ
H4806
fatling
N-mp
בָשָׁ֖ן
Bâshân
H1316
Bashan
N-proper
כֻּלָּֽ/ם
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 39:18
בְּשַׂ֤ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
גִּבּוֹרִים֙
gibbôwr
H1368
"mighty man"
Adj
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Definition: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. See also: Genesis 6:4; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalms 19:6.
תֹּאכֵ֔לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/דַם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
Conj | N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
נְשִׂיאֵ֥י
nâsîyʼ
H5387
"leader"
N-mp
This word refers to a leader or a high-ranking official, like a king or a captain. It can also describe a rising mist, as seen in Isaiah 60:13. In the Bible, it often symbolizes power and authority.
Definition: one lifted up, chief, prince, captain, leader
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, cloud, governor, prince, ruler, vapour. See also: Genesis 17:20; Numbers 34:26; Psalms 135:7.
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
תִּשְׁתּ֑וּ
shâthâh
H8354
"to drink"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to drink, and it's used in many ways, like drinking from a cup or feasting. It's also used to describe being drunk or taking part in a big celebration. We see it in stories like the Last Supper in Matthew 26:27.
Definition: 1) to drink 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to drink 1a1a) of drinking cup of God's wrath, of slaughter, of wicked deeds (fig) 1a2) to feast 1b) (Niphal) to be drunk Aramaic equivalent: she.tah (שְׁתָה "to drink" H8355)
Usage: Occurs in 193 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; 2 Kings 19:24; Psalms 50:13.
אֵילִ֨ים
ʼayil
H352
"ram"
N-mp
A strong tree, like an oak or a ram, symbolizes strength and power, as seen in 1 Kings 7:2 where Solomon builds a house with strong pillars. It can also refer to a chief or leader, like in 1 Chronicles 12:14 where the leaders of the tribes are listed.
Definition: 1) ram 1a) ram (as food) 1b) ram (as sacrifice) 1c) ram (skin dyed red, for tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. See also: Genesis 15:9; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 66:15.
כָּרִ֤ים
kar
H3733
"saddle"
N-mp
A kar is a full-grown ram, often used for sacrifice or as a symbol of strength. It can also refer to a battering-ram used in battle or a type of furniture. In the Bible, it is sometimes translated as 'lamb' or 'captain'.
Definition: 1) howdah, palanquin, basket saddle 1a) an enclosed riding space erected on a camel's saddle
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: captain, furniture, lamb, (large) pasture, ram. See also H1033 (בֵּית כַּר), H3746 (כָּרִי). See also: Genesis 31:34; Isaiah 30:23; Psalms 37:20.
וְ/עַתּוּדִים֙
ʻattûwd
H6260
"goat"
Conj | N-mp
In the Bible, this word can refer to a full-grown male goat, like the ones used in sacrifices in Leviticus. It can also be used figuratively to describe leaders or important people, like the chiefs of the tribes of Israel in Numbers.
Definition: ram, he-goat, chief one
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: chief one, (he) goat, ram. See also: Genesis 31:10; Numbers 7:88; Psalms 50:9.
פָּרִ֔ים
par
H6499
"bullock"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means a young bull or ox, often used as a sacrifice in the Bible. In Exodus, a bullock is used as an offering to God. The word describes a strong and powerful animal.
Definition: young bull, steer, bullock
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox. See also: Genesis 32:16; Numbers 28:20; Psalms 22:13.
מְרִיאֵ֥י
mᵉrîyʼ
H4806
"fatling"
N-mp
A fat or well-fed animal, often a cow or cattle. It's used to describe an animal that has been fed well and is healthy.
Definition: well-fed, fatling
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: fat (fed) beast (cattle, -ling). See also: 2 Samuel 6:13; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 11:6.
בָשָׁ֖ן
Bâshân
H1316
"Bashan"
N-proper
Bashan was a fertile region east of the Jordan River, given to the half-tribe of Manasseh. It was known for its fruitfulness and is mentioned in the Bible as a significant area.
Definition: § Bashan = "fruitful" a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Bashan. See also: Numbers 21:33; Joshua 21:27; Psalms 22:13.
כֻּלָּֽ/ם
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 39:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 39:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 39:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 39:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 39:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
- Sermons on Ezekiel 39:18
Context — The Slaughter of Gog’s Armies
16(Even the city will be named Hamonah. ) And so they will cleanse the land.
17And as for you, son of man, this is what the Lord GOD says: Call out to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field: ‘Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great feast on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood.
18You will eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as though they were rams, lambs, goats, and bulls—all the fattened animals of Bashan.
19At the sacrifice I am preparing, you will eat fat until you are gorged and drink blood until you are drunk. 20And at My table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, of mighty men and warriors of every kind,’ declares the Lord GOD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 22:12 | Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 51:40 | I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with male goats. |
| 3 | Revelation 19:17–18 | Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” |
| 4 | Amos 4:1 | Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, who say to your husbands, “Bring us more to drink.” |
| 5 | Ezekiel 29:5 | I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 50:27 | Kill all her young bulls; let them go down to the slaughter. Woe to them, for their day has come— the time of their punishment. |
| 7 | Isaiah 34:7 | And the wild oxen will fall with them, the young bulls with the strong ones. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil will be soaked with fat. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 50:11 | “Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph— you who plunder My inheritance— because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions, |
| 9 | Revelation 19:21 | And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 34:17 | This is what the Lord GOD says to you, My flock: ‘I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the goats. |
Ezekiel 39:18 Summary
[This verse is saying that God will judge the powerful and proud, and that He will be victorious over His enemies. It's not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a picture of God's power and authority, as seen in Psalm 2:7-9. God is the one who will ultimately bring justice and righteousness to the world, and we can trust in His goodness and love, as seen in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the princes of the earth?
This verse is using symbolic language to describe God's judgment on the powerful and proud, as seen in Isaiah 34:5-7, where God executes judgment on the nations. It's not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a picture of God's victory over His enemies.
Who are the 'fattened animals of Bashan' mentioned in this verse?
Bashan was a region in ancient Israel known for its rich soil and cattle, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:14 and Ezekiel 39:18. The phrase is likely being used to describe the rich and prosperous nations that will be judged by God.
Is this verse promoting violence or cannibalism?
No, this verse is not promoting violence or cannibalism, but rather using vivid imagery to describe God's judgment on sin and rebellion, as seen in Revelation 19:17-18. It's a call to recognize God's power and authority over all nations and peoples.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Ezekiel 39?
This verse is part of a larger passage describing God's judgment on Gog and Magog, as well as the restoration of Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 39:1-29. It's a key part of the prophetic message of Ezekiel, emphasizing God's sovereignty and justice.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship to the nations?
- How does this verse challenge my own understanding of power and authority?
- What does it mean for me to 'eat the flesh of the mighty' in a spiritual sense, and how can I apply this to my own life?
- How can I balance the idea of God's judgment with His love and mercy, as seen in John 3:16?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 39:18
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty,.... Of the soldiers, men of strength and courage, and fit for war, with which the army of Gog will abound: and drink the blood of the princes of the earth: both
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 39:18
Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
In these two and the two following verses, God takes on him the person of one that makes a feast, invites his guests, and promiseth to satisfy them. Of the two former, the first is an enigmatical invitation, or an invitation in a riddle; the latter is the key to this character. The mighty; who had great authority, great courage and strength, the giant-like ones, commanders of great note in the army. The princes: many princes came with their countrymen and subjects to assist in this war, whose blood these fowls should drink; and these compared to rams which lead the flock. Lambs are the more ordinary in the army. Goats; great goats, as the Hebrew denoteth; and these signify the more lascivious and impetuous among them. Bullocks; such as, though more slow, were of great strength. Fatlings; well fed, it was no lean sacrifice made. Of Bashan, a mountain of most rich and sweet soil, and that fed the best of any.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
Ezekiel 39:18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.Ver. 18. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty.] Whose flesh may he, perhaps, more delicate. And drink the blood.] Blood royal, of a noble alloy. Sed nihil inde colligas, quam perpetuam eorum damnationem qui verbum Dei persequuntur, quique populum Israel spiritualem exagitant. It importeth the eternal damnation of atheists and antichrists. Oecolampadius.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
(18) Drink the blood of the princes.—In these verses there is a curious mingling of the figurative and the literal; thus the “princes” are immediately explained by the mention of the various sacrificial animals; and in Ezekiel 39:20 these are again interpreted of “horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war.” And when the figure is so far explained it only leads to a literal sense which must yet be considered as itself but the symbol of something further. (Comp. Revelation 19:17-18.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
Verse 18. Ye shall - drink the blood of the princes of the earth] I need not mention the custom of the Scandinavians: they were accustomed to drink the blood of their enemies out of the skulls of the dead. But this is spoken of fowls and beasts here-rams, lambs, and goats. The feast shall be as grateful and as plenteous to the fowls and beasts, as one made of the above animals, the fattest and best of their kind, (because fed in the fertile fields of Bashan,) would be to the guests of him who makes a sacrifice.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 39:18
18. The actual victims sacrificed were princes and mighty men; here they are described as rams and goats—the usual animals sacrificed. Jeremiah 51:40. fatlings of Bashan] Bashan was a pastoral country, producing the fattest and greatest beasts. Cf. Deuteronomy 32:14; Amos 4:1; Isaiah 34:6-7; Psalms 22:12.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 39:18
17-20. “Among the Semites the law of the sacrificial feast was open-handed hospitality; no sacrifice was complete without guests, and portions were freely distributed to rich and poor within the
Sermons on Ezekiel 39:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Behold the Lamb by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the testimony of Jesus and his experience on the cross. Jesus expresses his feelings of abandonment by God and questions why he has been for |
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The Suffering of Christ by John Musser | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being born again and having a genuine experience of salvation. He quotes from the Bible, stating that without holiness and |
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The Spirit Commited to God by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound significance of committing our spirits to God, drawing parallels between Christ's final words on the cross and the believer's journey |
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The End of Time by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the prophecies of the end times as outlined in the book of Daniel and other biblical passages. It discusses the events leading up to the establishment of Go |
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(Second Coming of Christ) 10 the Supper of the Great God by Aeron Morgan | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings of the Word of God. He warns that a fearful day is coming, known as the Armageddon, where there will |
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The Mighty Conqueror by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the ultimate authority of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords, highlighting the final conflict between Christ and the world regarding Hi |
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The Nations the Enemies of Israel-Their Final Opposition to Jerusalem Followed by Judgment Upon Them by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the distinction between the nation of Israel and the nations, highlighting God's chosen people and the disobedience of Israel leading to the d |