To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

EZEKIEL 38:12KJV
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Ezekiel 38:12 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 38:12 mean?

Ezekiel 38:12 describes an invading force planning to attack a land that has recovered from ruin, targeting its people who have returned from many nations and have become prosperous, living securely in their homeland. The verse highlights the motive of the attackers: to seize valuable possessions and wealth from these people.

In this part of the book, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel about a future attack led by Gog against Israel. The people described are Israelites who have come back from exile and rebuilt their lives, now possessing livestock and goods. The verse emphasizes the attackers’ greed and the restored condition of the land and its people, setting the stage for the conflict described in the surrounding chapters.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 38:12

  • "Spoil" (שָּׁלָל, shalal, H7998) and "prey" (מַלְקוֹחַ, malqōach, H957) both refer to things taken by force, but "shalal" often means general plunder, while "malqōach" can suggest living captives or valuable goods. The use of both words stresses the totality of what the invaders seek to take.
  • "Desolate places" (חָרְבָּה, chorbah, H2723) points to areas that were once ruined but are now inhabited (יָשַׁב, yashav, H3427). This highlights the transformation of the land from devastation to a thriving community.
  • "Gathered" (אָסַף, asaf, H622) out of the "nations" (גּוֹי, goy, H1471) underscores the return of the people from exile among many foreign lands, showing a regathering that was significant in Israel’s history.

Why Ezekiel 38:12 matters

  • Ezekiel 38:12 clarifies that the motive for the invasion is not just conquest, but specifically to seize wealth and resources from a people who have recently regained prosperity.
  • The verse highlights the dramatic change in Israel’s situation—from desolation to abundance—which is a key theme in Ezekiel’s prophecies about restoration.
  • By describing the people as gathered from many nations, the verse connects to the broader biblical story of exile and return, making the coming attack not just a military event, but a challenge to God’s restoration of His people.

Where else these words appear

“midst” Hebrew H2872 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 9:37 And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

“goods” Hebrew H7075 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 31:18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
  • Leviticus 22:11 But if the priest buy any soul with his money, he shall eat of it, and he that is born in his house: they shall eat of his meat.
  • Psalms 105:21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

“take” Hebrew H7997 · used in 12 verses

  • Ruth 2:16 And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.
  • Isaiah 59:15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
  • Ezekiel 38:13 Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

“prey” Hebrew H957 · used in 25 verses

  • Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
  • Jeremiah 2:14 Is Israel a servant? is he a homeborn slave? why is he spoiled?
  • Ezekiel 26:5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.