So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

EZEKIEL 39:10KJV
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Ezekiel 39:10 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 39:10 mean?

Ezekiel 39:10 describes a time when the people will not need to gather wood from the fields or forests because they will use the weapons of their defeated enemies as fuel for fire. The verse also says that those who were once victims will now take goods from those who had robbed them, as declared by the Lord GOD.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking to the people of Israel about a future victory over their enemies. The situation is one of complete reversal: instead of being plundered, Israel will reclaim what was taken from them. The weapons left behind by the defeated armies will be so plentiful that they will serve as firewood, showing the total defeat of Israel’s foes and the abundance provided by God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 39:10

  • "weapons" (כְּלִי־נֶשֶׁק, kelî-nesheq, H5402): This word refers to implements of war or arms. The fact that these are burned for fuel highlights the scale of the enemy’s defeat—there are so many weapons left behind, they become a resource.
  • "spoil" and "spoiled" (שָׁלַל, shālal, H7997): This verb means to take plunder or loot. The repetition emphasizes the reversal of fortune: those who were once plundered now do the plundering.
  • "rob" and "robbed" (בָּזַז, bāzaz, H962): This word also means to seize or take by force. Its use here underlines the complete turnaround for Israel, as they recover what was taken from them.

Why Ezekiel 39:10 matters

  • Ezekiel 39:10 clears up any idea that Israel’s victory is partial or uncertain; the abundance of weapons for burning shows a total and lasting triumph.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s promise to reverse Israel’s fortunes, making clear that those who once suffered loss will be restored and even enriched.
  • This verse ties into the larger theme of Ezekiel 38–39, where God’s intervention leads to the defeat of Israel’s enemies and demonstrates His power and faithfulness to His people.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H2404 · used in 9 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:5 As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:
  • Joshua 9:21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

“weapons” Hebrew H5402 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
  • Nehemiah 3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
  • Psalms 140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

“spoil” 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.

“rob” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Kings 7:16 And the people went out, and spoiled the tents of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.