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?

EZEKIEL 38:13KJV
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Ezekiel 38:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 38:13 mean?

Ezekiel 38:13 describes how certain distant nations—Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish with their "young lions"—will question the motives of a great invading force, asking if they have come to plunder wealth and goods. The verse shows outsiders observing and commenting on the invasion, focusing on the invaders’ desire for riches.

In this scene, Ezekiel records a prophecy where foreign nations speak to Gog, the leader of the invading army described earlier in the chapter. These nations are not directly involved in the conflict but are watching from afar, wondering aloud if the real purpose behind the invasion is to seize valuable resources like silver, gold, cattle, and goods. Their questions highlight the greed and intent for material gain behind the invasion.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 38:13

  • "Spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal): This word means loot or plunder. Its use underscores that the invaders are motivated by the desire to take valuable possessions, not just to conquer territory.
  • "Prey" (טֶרֶף, teref): This word often refers to something hunted or seized by force. Here, it reinforces the image of the invaders as predators seeking to take what belongs to others.
  • "Merchants" (סָחַר, sachar): This word refers to traders or those who deal in commerce. The mention of merchants of Tarshish suggests that these observers are people familiar with trade and wealth, making their focus on plunder especially fitting.
  • "Young lions" (כְּפִיר, kephir): This phrase is often used for powerful, aggressive leaders or nations. The "young lions" of Tarshish likely refers to allied or related trading powers, emphasizing the strength and influence of these observers.

Why Ezekiel 38:13 matters

  • Ezekiel 38:13 clarifies that not all nations are part of Gog’s invasion; some are bystanders who question the motives and ethics of the attack, highlighting the greed behind it.
  • The verse connects the prophecy to real-world concerns about wealth, trade, and the motivations of powerful nations, making the prophecy more relatable to its original audience.
  • By including the voices of Sheba, Dedan, and Tarshish, Ezekiel shows that the coming conflict is significant enough to draw international attention, emphasizing the global impact of the events he describes.

Where else these words appear

“Dedan” Hebrew H1719 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 10:7 And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:32 Now the sons of Keturah, Abraham's concubine: she bare Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And the sons of Jokshan; Sheba, and Dedan.
  • Ezekiel 25:13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.

“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 38:12 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.

“merchants” Hebrew H5503 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
  • 2 Chronicles 1:16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
  • Isaiah 47:15 Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.