For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

EZEKIEL 38:19KJV
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Ezekiel 38:19 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 38:19 mean?

Ezekiel 38:19 describes God declaring that, because of His jealousy and burning anger, there will be a powerful earthquake in the land of Israel. The verse emphasizes the seriousness of God's response to the events being described, showing that a dramatic, earth-shaking event will happen as a sign of His wrath.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to warn about a future time when He will act decisively against invaders coming into Israel. The language is vivid, using strong emotions to show how deeply God cares about His people and His land. The "great shaking" is not just a physical earthquake but also a sign of God's overwhelming power and involvement.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 38:19

  • "jealousy" (קִנְאָה, qin'ah): This word means a passionate zeal or intense concern, often used to describe God's protective love for His people. Here, it shows that God's actions are motivated by deep commitment.
  • "fire" (אֵשׁ, esh): Fire is often a symbol for intense emotion or judgment. In this verse, it highlights the consuming and unstoppable nature of God's wrath.
  • "wrath" (עֶבְרָה, evrah): This word refers to overflowing anger or fury. It adds to the sense that God's response will be forceful and cannot be ignored.
  • "shaking" (רַעַשׁ, ra'ash): This word means a quake or trembling, often used for earthquakes. The choice of this word underlines that the coming event will be dramatic and impossible to miss.

Why Ezekiel 38:19 matters

  • Ezekiel 38:19 clears up any idea that God's response to threats against Israel is distant or mild; the language shows His reaction is deeply personal and powerful.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow, making it clear that what happens is a direct act of God, not just a natural disaster.
  • Understanding the original words for "jealousy," "fire," and "wrath" helps the reader see that God's actions come from a place of deep emotion and commitment, not just cold judgment.

Where else these words appear

“shaking” Hebrew H7494 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
  • Isaiah 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
  • Ezekiel 12:18 Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;

“wrath” Hebrew H5678 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
  • Proverbs 21:24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
  • Lamentations 3:1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

“jealousy” Hebrew H7068 · used in 41 verses

  • Numbers 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
  • Psalms 119:139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
  • Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?