There is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude: her graves are round about him: all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword, though they caused their terror in the land of the living.

EZEKIEL 32:26KJV
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Ezekiel 32:26 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 32:26 mean?

Ezekiel 32:26 describes Meshech and Tubal—nations known for their power—lying among the dead, surrounded by graves, all described as uncircumcised and killed by the sword, even though they once spread terror while alive. The verse shows that even mighty peoples who caused fear in others have met the same fate as those they once threatened.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Egypt, warning them by describing the fate of other powerful nations who have already fallen. Meshech and Tubal were tribes from the far north, often associated with warlike people. By listing them among the dead, Ezekiel emphasizes that no nation, no matter how strong or feared, can escape judgment or death.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 32:26

  • "multitude" (הָמוֹן, hamon): This word means a great crowd or mass of people. Here, it stresses that not just the leaders, but whole populations of Meshech and Tubal have fallen.
  • "uncircumcised" (עָרֵל, arel): In the Hebrew Bible, being uncircumcised often symbolizes being outside God’s covenant people. Calling these nations "uncircumcised" underlines their separation from Israel and their vulnerability to judgment.
  • "terror" (חִתִּית, chittit): This word means fear or terror. The verse points out that these nations once caused widespread fear, but now they themselves are powerless in death.

Why Ezekiel 32:26 matters

  • Ezekiel 32:26 clarifies that even the most feared and powerful nations are not immune to downfall and judgment, countering any belief that strength or reputation can guarantee safety.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Ezekiel 32, where God uses the fate of other nations as a warning to Egypt, showing that pride and violence bring destruction.
  • By mentioning the "uncircumcised," Ezekiel highlights the distinction between God’s people and the surrounding nations, while also showing that all are ultimately subject to God’s authority.

Where else these words appear

“Tubal” Hebrew H8422 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
  • Ezekiel 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

“terror” Hebrew H2851 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezekiel 26:17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
  • Ezekiel 32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.
  • Ezekiel 32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

“Meshech” Hebrew H4902 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
  • Ezekiel 38:2 Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him,

“uncircumcised” Hebrew H6189 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
  • 1 Samuel 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
  • Ezekiel 32:19 Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.