Ezekiel 32:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 32:13 mean?

Ezekiel 32:13 says that God will destroy all the animals living near the great waters, so that neither people nor animals will disturb those waters anymore. This is part of a prophecy describing complete devastation, where not only people but even the animals are removed from the land.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s words to Egypt, warning of a coming judgment. The “great waters” likely refer to the Nile or its branches, which were central to Egypt’s life. By saying that neither the “foot of man” nor the “hoofs of beasts” will trouble the waters, the verse paints a picture of total desolation—no humans or animals left to stir up the land or water.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 32:13

• “Destroy” (אָבַד, ’avad): This word means to cause something to perish or be lost completely. Here, it emphasizes that the removal of animals will be total, not just a temporary setback.
• “Beasts” (בְּהֵמָה, behemah): This term refers to large animals or cattle, highlighting that even the livestock essential to daily life will be wiped out.
• “Great” (רַב, rav): Used here to describe the “waters,” it stresses the size and importance of the river system, likely the Nile, which was vital for Egypt’s survival.
• “Trouble” (דָּלַךְ, dalak): This word means to stir up or muddy, suggesting that the absence of people and animals will leave the waters undisturbed and eerily still.

Why Ezekiel 32:13 matters

• Ezekiel 32:13 shows that the judgment on Egypt is not just against people but affects the entire environment, underlining the totality of the disaster.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by showing how God’s judgment will undo the very foundations of Egypt’s prosperity, which depended on the Nile and its animals.
• By mentioning that neither humans nor animals will “trouble” the waters, the verse clears up any idea that life might quickly return after judgment; instead, it describes a deep and lasting emptiness.