Ezekiel 39:10

Translations

Modern

They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.

Traditional

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.

Literal

…and they will not carry wood from the field, and they will not cut down from the forests, because they will burn the weapons with fire. And they will plunder those who plundered them, and they will pillage those who pillaged them, a declaration of the Lord YHWH.

Latin

Et non portabunt ligna de regionibus, neque succident de saltibus: quoniam arma succendent igni, et deprædabuntur eos quibus prædæ fuerant, et diripient vastatores suos, ait Dominus Deus.

Original

Hebrew

English

They will not gather wood from the countryside or cut it from the forests, for they will use the weapons for fuel. They will loot those who looted them and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord GOD.

Notes

Ezekiel 39:9–10

Israel would act only after Gog had been fully defeated and destroyed. Like some great battles in the past, the people would first watch the Lord fight for them. Then they would gather what was left behind (for example, 2 Kings 6:1–7:20; 2 Chronicles 20).

Fire from heaven would destroy Gog’s army. Only their wooden weapons would remain. Israel would use these weapons as firewood for seven years. In the Old Testament, the number seven often represents completeness.

Those who came to take goods from Israel would themselves be taken as goods. The attackers would lose everything. Their weapons would no longer be needed, because Israel’s final enemy had been destroyed.

Ezekiel 38:1–39:29

In Ezekiel 37, the nation is reunited and lives in peace in its own land. In Ezekiel 38–39, this peaceful picture changes. A new danger appears. These chapters describe the attack, defeat, and removal of the final enemy, called Gog.
Many readers have tried to identify Gog. Some have connected him with Gyges, king of Lydia, who ruled about 680 to 644 BC. However, the Gog described in the Bible goes beyond any one historical ruler. The text focuses less on who Gog is and more on the worldwide threat from the nations.
Even this powerful enemy would not truly threaten God’s restored people. God was now living among them. Because of his presence, they were secure.
These chapters use strong symbols. They are similar to psalms that speak about Zion’s safety (see, for example, Psalms 2, 46). The message is clear. If even a terrible enemy like Gog cannot defeat God’s people, then nothing in all creation can separate them from God’s protection.
Ezekiel’s description of Gog also includes features of apocalyptic literature (a style of writing that uses symbols and dramatic images to describe God’s final victory over evil; see “Apocalyptic Literature” Theme Note).

Theme notes and profiles

Apocalyptic Literature

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
Isaiah 14:2
The nations will escort Israel and bring it to its homeland. Then the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.
Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.
Habakkuk 2:8
Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
Revelation 18:6
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
Exodus 3:22
Every woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”
Habakkuk 3:8
Were You angry at the rivers, O LORD? Was Your wrath against the streams? Did You rage against the sea when You rode on Your horses, on Your chariots of salvation?
Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Exodus 12:36
And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.
Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
Zephaniah 2:9–10
Therefore, as surely as I live,” declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, “surely Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.”

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Gog Magog

Topics

Military Arms of the Vanquished: Sometime Burned Shield: Made of Wood

Ezekiel 39:10

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