Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan.

EZEKIEL 39:18KJV
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Ezekiel 39:18 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 39:18 mean?

Ezekiel 39:18 describes a scene where birds and wild animals are invited to feast on the bodies of defeated warriors and leaders after a great battle, using vivid language about eating flesh and drinking blood. This verse is part of a prophecy showing the total defeat of Israel’s enemies, pictured as a sacrificial feast for scavengers.

In this passage, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, describing what will happen to the armies that come against them. The imagery of eating the flesh of the mighty and drinking the blood of princes, along with references to animals like rams, lambs, goats, and bullocks from Bashan, emphasizes the completeness of the enemy’s destruction. The scene is meant to show God’s power and the finality of judgment on those who oppose Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 39:18

  • mighty (גִּבּוֹרִים, gibborim): This word means “strong” or “mighty ones,” often referring to warriors or heroes. Here, it highlights that even the strongest opponents will fall.
  • princes (נְשִׂיאֵי, nesi’ei): This word means “leaders” or “princes,” showing that not just common soldiers, but also high-ranking rulers are included in the defeat.
  • fatlings (מְרִיאֵי, meri’ei) and Bashan (הַבָּשָׁן, ha-Bashan): “Fatlings” are well-fed, choice animals, and Bashan was a region known for its rich pastures and strong cattle. This adds to the sense of abundance and completeness in the destruction, as even the best and strongest are consumed.

Why Ezekiel 39:18 matters

  • This verse clears up that the prophecy is not about a literal meal for people, but a symbolic picture of total defeat, using the language of a sacrificial feast for birds and beasts.
  • The mention of both mighty warriors and princes shows that all levels of the enemy’s power structure are included in the judgment, not just the ordinary soldiers.
  • Ezekiel 39:18 connects to the larger message in chapters 38–39, where God promises to defend Israel and utterly defeat the invading armies, showing His sovereignty and justice.

Where else these words appear

“fatlings” Hebrew H4806 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
  • 1 Kings 1:19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
  • Isaiah 1:11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

“lambs” Hebrew H3733 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
  • Psalms 37:20 But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
  • Jeremiah 51:40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.

“goats” Hebrew H6260 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
  • Numbers 7:59 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
  • Psalms 66:15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

“Bashan” Hebrew H1316 · used in 53 verses

  • Numbers 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
  • Joshua 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:23 And the children of the half tribe of Manasseh dwelt in the land: they increased from Bashan unto Baalhermon and Senir, and unto mount Hermon.