Ezekiel 32:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 32:20 mean?

Ezekiel 32:20 describes how a group of people, represented as a woman and her multitudes, will be killed by the sword and counted among those already slain. The verse uses the image of being delivered over to death in battle, emphasizing that they will share the same fate as others who have fallen.

In this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Egypt, warning them of coming judgment. The verse is part of a larger lament over Egypt’s downfall, using vivid language to show that Egypt and its people will be brought down like other nations before them. The imagery is meant to highlight the certainty and completeness of their defeat.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 32:20

• "fall" (נָפַל, naphal): This word means to fall or be slain, often used for dying in battle. Here, it stresses that Egypt’s fate is to be counted among the dead, not spared or set apart.
• "midst" (תָּוֶךְ, tavek): This means "in the middle of" or "among." It shows that Egypt will not be treated differently but will be right in the center of those already killed.
• "multitudes" (הָמוֹן, hamon): This word means a great crowd or mass of people. It underscores that it’s not just a few individuals, but a vast number who will share this fate.

Why Ezekiel 32:20 matters

• Ezekiel 32:20 makes clear that Egypt, once a powerful nation, will experience the same downfall as other nations judged by God, removing any sense of special protection or exception.
• The verse connects Egypt’s fate to a larger pattern in Ezekiel, where several nations are described as falling under God’s judgment, showing that no nation is beyond accountability.
• The strong imagery of being "delivered to the sword" and joining the slain helps the reader grasp the seriousness of the warning and the completeness of the coming judgment.