Ezekiel 38:22

Translations

Modern

I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Traditional

And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

Literal

And I will bring judgment on him with pestilence and with blood, and flooding rain and stones of hail. I will rain down fire and brimstone on him, and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him.

Latin

Et judicabo eum peste, et sanguine, et imbre vehementi, et lapidibus immensis: ignem et sulphur pluam super eum, et super exercitum ejus, et super populos multos qui sunt cum eo.

Original

Hebrew

English

I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him.

Notes

Ezekiel 38:21–23

sword … plague and bloodshed … torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur: Israel had faced similar punishments before (see Ezekiel 13:13). Now those punishments were inflicted on Israel’s enemies. The divine warrior was once again defending his people.

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

Revelation 16:21
And great hailstones weighing almost a hundred pounds each rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous.
Psalm 11:6
On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion.
Isaiah 66:16
For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD.
Ezekiel 13:11
…tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth.
Psalm 18:12–14
From the brightness of His presence His clouds advanced—hailstones and coals of fire.
Isaiah 28:17
I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.
Jeremiah 25:31
The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.
Exodus 9:22–25
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field throughout the land of Egypt.”
Joshua 10:11
As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites.
Isaiah 30:30–33
And the LORD will cause His majestic voice to be heard and His mighty arm to be revealed, striking in angry wrath with a flame of consuming fire, and with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.
Isaiah 29:6
…you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.
Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.

Glossary

Book of Revelation Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Magog Pestilence Sulfur

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities of the Wicked: God is Glorified In Brimstone: Figurative Judgments: Design of Rain: (Destructive) of God's Judgments Rain: Divided Into: Overflowing The Afflictions of the Wicked: God is Glorified In

Ezekiel 38:22

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