And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood.

EZEKIEL 39:17KJV
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Ezekiel 39:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 39:17 mean?

Ezekiel 39:17 describes God commanding Ezekiel to call out to all the birds and wild animals, inviting them to gather and feast on a great sacrifice that God is preparing on the mountains of Israel, where they will eat flesh and drink blood. This verse uses the image of a sacrificial feast for animals to show the aftermath of a great defeat of Israel’s enemies.

In this scene, God is speaking to Ezekiel, who is called "son of man," and instructs him to address the birds and beasts. The context is a prophecy about the defeat of Gog and his armies, where the fallen enemies become food for scavenging animals. The language of sacrifice and feasting emphasizes the totality of the victory and the judgment on those who opposed Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 39:17

  • "Sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This word means an offering or slaughter, often used for ritual sacrifices. Here, it is used to describe the fallen enemies as a kind of offering, highlighting the seriousness of the judgment.
  • "Feathered" (כָּנָף, kanaf) and "fowl" (עוֹף, ‘oph): These words refer to winged birds, emphasizing that all types of birds are being summoned, not just a specific kind.
  • "Gather" (אָסַף, asaph): This verb means to collect or assemble, showing that the animals are being called together from all directions, underlining the scale of the event.

Why Ezekiel 39:17 matters

  • Ezekiel 39:17 clarifies that the defeat of Israel’s enemies is so complete that their bodies become a feast for animals, not just a symbolic victory.
  • The use of sacrificial language connects this judgment to Israel’s worship practices, but with a shocking twist: the sacrifice is not for God’s people, but for the animals.
  • This verse sets up the dramatic imagery that continues through the chapter, helping readers understand the seriousness of God’s judgment against those who attack Israel.