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Ezekiel 32
Ezekiel 32:1
Then it happened
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
in the twelfth month ... on the first of the month
This is the twelfth and final month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the end of February. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-hebrewmonths and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal)
of the twelfth year
This refers to the twelfth year of the reign of King Jehoiachin. Alternate translation: "of the twelfth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 32:2
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"
lift up
"sing"
You are like a young lion ... like a monster in the seas
Possible meanings are 1) he thought he was like a lion, but he was really only a monster, or 2) he was like a lion and a monster.
like a young lion among the nations
Egypt was stronger than other nations, like lions are stronger than other animals. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
like a monster in the seas
Pharaoh was powerful, but he only caused trouble for others, like this monster in the water. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
monster
A monster is an animal that is big and dangerous. This one might be a crocodile. See how you translated this word in Ezekiel 29:3.
Ezekiel 32:3
General Information:
Yahweh continues to speak to Pharaoh and to speak of him as if he were a monster, perhaps a crocodile, in the water.
The Lord Yahweh says this
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:5.
So I will spread my net over you in the assembly of many peoples
God's punishment of Pharaoh is spoken of as if the king were the river monster caught in a net. Alternate translation: "So I will gather many peoples and throw my net over you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 32:4
I will abandon you in the land
"I will leave you helpless on the land." The monster that was fearsome and powerful when it was in the water cannot do anything when it is left on dry land.
all the birds of the heavens
"all the birds that fly in the sky"
the hunger of all living animals on earth will be satisfied by you
This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "I will let all the animals of the earth eat your body until they are hungry no longer" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 32:5
General Information:
Yahweh continues to speak to Pharaoh and to compare him to a monster that lives in the water.
your worm-filled corpse
The worms help the dead body to rot. Alternate translation: "your rotting body" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Ezekiel 32:6
the stream beds will be filled with your blood
This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "I will fill the streams with your blood" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 32:7
General Information:
Yahweh continues telling Pharaoh what he will do to Egypt.
when I extinguish you
It was common to speak of a person's life as if it were a lamp that could be put out. Alternate translation: "When I destroy you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
I will cover the heavens
Yahweh speaks of making the stars dark as if he were putting a cover over the sky. Alternate translation: "I will make everything in the sky go dark" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 32:8
this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:11. Alternate translation: "this is what the Lord Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Ezekiel 32:9
General Information:
Yahweh continues to speak to Pharaoh.
I will terrify the heart of many peoples
Here "heart" represents the people's emotions. Alternate translation: "I will make the hearts of many peoples afraid" or "I will cause many people to be terrified" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
in lands that you do not know
The way that Yahweh destroys Egypt will make afraid even people in lands that Pharaoh never knew about.
when I bring about your collapse among the nations
The nation of Egypt, symbolized by its king, is spoken of as if it were a building that was collapsing. Alternate translation: "when nations hear about the way I destroyed you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 32:10
when I swing my sword
Here swinging a sword represents using the sword. Alternate translation: "when I use my sword" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Every moment each one will tremble because of you
Here "tremble" is an action that people often do when they are very afraid. Alternate translation: "Every one of them will keep shaking because of their fear"
on the day of your downfall
The idea of falling down ("downfall") represents dying. Alternate translation: "when I destroy you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 32:11
General Information:
Yahweh continues to speak to Pharaoh.
The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you
Here "sword" represents an army. Alternate translation: "The army of the king of Babylon will attack you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:12
each warrior a terror of nations
The abstract noun "terror" can be stated as "terrifies" or "afraid." Alternate translation: "Each warrior terrifies the nations" or "each one of them makes the nations afraid" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
will devastate the pride of Egypt
The abstract noun "pride" can be stated as "proud." Alternate translation: "will cause the Egyptians to no longer be proud" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
destroy all of its multitudes
Here "all" is probably a generalization that refers to the killing of large numbers of soldiers, and perhaps other people also. Alternate translation: "kill a very large number of people who live in Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Ezekiel 32:13
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking.
from beside the plentiful waters
"in the places where there is a lot of water"
the foot of man will no longer stir the waters up
The foot here is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: "people will no longer stir the waters up with their feet" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
stir the waters
make clear water muddy
the hooves of cattle stir them
The hoof is a synecdoche for cattle. Alternate translation: "cattle stir them with their hooves" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:14
Then I will calm their waters
Possible meanings are 1) "I will make the water calm" or 2) "I will make the water clear." When no one stirs up the water, the dirt settles down and the water becomes clear.
Ezekiel 32:15
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking.
When I make the land of Egypt an abandoned place
This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "When I make the land of Egypt a place where no one is living" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
when the land is made bare of all its fullness
"when the country is made to lose all its wealth"
when I attack all the inhabitants in her
Here the idea of attacking represents destroying. Alternate translation: "when I destroy all who live in her" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
in her
It was normal in biblical language to represent countries and lands as if they were women. Alternate translation: "in it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
know that I am Yahweh
When Yahweh says that people will know that he is Yahweh, he is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 6:7. Alternate translation: "understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God" or "realize that I, Yahweh, have supreme power and authority" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Ezekiel 32:16
over her
It was normal in biblical language to represent countries and lands as if they were women. Alternate translation: "over it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the daughters of the nations
Possible meanings are 1) "the women of other nations" or 2) "people of other nations"
over Egypt, over all her multitudes
"about Egypt, about all her multitudes" or "about the disaster that happened to Egypt, about the disaster that happened to all her multitudes"
Ezekiel 32:17
Then it happened
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new message. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
in the twelfth year
Possible meanings are 1) This happened in the twelfth year after the Babylonians took the Israelites to Babylon or 2) this happened in the twelfth year after the Babylonians took Jehoiachin to Babylon. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 32:18
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"
bring them down—her and the daughters of majestic nations
God is perhaps telling Ezekiel to cause this to happen by giving a prophetic command.
her
Once again, the land of Egypt is referred to as a woman.
the daughters of majestic nations
Possible meanings are 1) "the people of powerful nations" or 2) "other powerful nations."
the lowest earth
"to the places under the ground." When people died, they were put in the ground. So "bring them down ... to the lowest earth" means "make them die." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
with those who have gone down to the pit
"with everyone else who has died and gone into the ground"
the pit
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 31:16. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:19
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel. He speaks of the people of Egypt as if they were a woman. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Are you really more beautiful than anyone else? Go down and lie down with the uncircumcised.
This is a question and command that the prophet is to ask the Egyptians. Alternate translation: "Go down and lie down with the uncircumcised. Ask them all: 'Are you really more beautiful than anyone else?'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Go down
It is implied that they must go down to Sheol. Alternate translation: "Go down to Sheol" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
lie down
as in death. If your language has a word for dead people lying down that is different from the word for live people lying down to sleep, use it here.
Are you really more beautiful than anyone else?
This question really makes a statement. Alternate translation: "You are not more beautiful than anyone else." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Ezekiel 32:20
They will fall
"Egypt and her people will fall"
who were killed by the sword
The word "sword" is a metonym for a soldier who kills people with a sword.This can be put into active form. Alternate translation: "whom enemy soldiers killed with swords" or "who died in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
The sword has been drawn!
The word "sword" here is a metonym for war that people fight with swords. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "War has begun" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
She has been given to the sword
This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "I have given Egypt to the sword" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
they will seize her and her multitudes
"her enemies will seize Egypt and her people"
Ezekiel 32:21
about Egypt and her allies
"about the Egyptians and those who join them"
Ezekiel 32:22
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about nations in Sheol. Because what God is showing Ezekiel may be for future time, either the present tense or the future tense is suitable for these verses and the following verses.
Assyria is there with all her assembly
The land of Assyria is represented as a woman. Alternate translation: "The people of Assyria and all its army are there in Sheol" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
her assembly
"all her people together"
all of them were killed by the sword
The word "sword" is a metonym for soldiers who use swords to kill people. This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "Soldiers used swords to kill them all" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 32:23
are set in the recesses of the pit
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:18. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
all of those who were killed, who fell by the sword
This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "all those whom enemies killed in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
fell by the sword
The word "fell" here is a euphemism for "died." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
those who brought terror on the land of the living
The abstract noun "terror" can be stated as "afraid." Alternate translation: "those who, when they were still alive, caused people to be extremely afraid" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the land of the living
This represents the people who were alive. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:24
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about nations in Sheol.
Elam is there
Here "Elam" refers to the people of that country. Alternate translation: "The people of Elam are also there in Sheol" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
her multitudes
Possible meanings are 1) her many people or 2) her army.
Her graves surround her
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:22.
all of them were killed
This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "Her enemies killed them all" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Those who fell by the sword
Translate "who fell by the sword" as in Ezekiel 32:23.
by the sword
Here "the sword" is a metonym for soldiers who use swords to kill people. Alternate translation: "in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
who have gone down uncircumcised
"who were uncircumcised when they went down"
to the lowest parts of the earth
"to places deep down in the ground" or "to the land deep down in the ground." See how you translated "in the lowest realms of the earth" in Ezekiel 26:20.
who brought their terrors
The abstract noun "terrors" can be stated as "afraid." See how you translated "brought terror" in Ezekiel 32:23. Alternate translation: "those who, when they were still alive, caused people to be extremely afraid" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the land of the living
This represents the people who were alive. See how you translated "the land of the living" in Ezekiel 32:23. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
who carry their own shame
Shame is spoken of as if it were an object that one could carry where he goes. Alternate translation: "who feel ashamed" or "who are now disgraced" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the pit
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:23. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:25
They set a bedroll for Elam and all her multitudes
Space being made in Sheol for the dead is spoken of as if the dead were given beds to lie on. Alternate translation: "They gave beds to Elam and all its people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
in the midst of the slain
"with all the other people who were killed"
All of them are uncircumcised
The Israelites did not respect people who were not circumcised. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
pierced by the sword, because
The word "pierced" here is a metonym for "killed." This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "their enemies have killed them with swords because" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Elam is among all those who were killed
This is very similar to the first part of the verse. Alternate translation: "The dead people gave Elam a place to lie among themselves"
Ezekiel 32:26
Connecting Statement:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about nations in Sheol.
Meshech ... Tubal
See how you translated these names in Ezekiel 27:13.
Their graves surround them
See how you translated "her graves surround her" in Ezekiel 32:22.
killed by the sword
Here "the sword" represents warfare. Alternate translation: "killed in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
they had brought their terrors on the land of the living
Causing people to fear is spoken of as if it were the act of bringing an object to them. The abstract noun "terrors" can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: "they terrified everyone in the land of the living" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
All of them ... land of the living
See how you translated "All of them ... land of the living" in Ezekiel 32:25.
Ezekiel 32:27
their iniquities over their bones
The warriors' iniquities cover their bodies, although one would expect that their shields would cover them in death. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
they were the terror of warriors in the land of the living
"while they were still alive, they made other warriors very afraid"
in the land of the living
The time during which these warriors were living is spoken of as if it were a place. Alternate translation: "while they were alive" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 32:28
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking.
you ... will be broken
"Broken" here represents "destroyed." This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "I will destroy you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
in the midst of
"in the middle of"
those who were pierced
The word "pierced" here is a metonym for "killed." This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:25. Alternate translation: "those whose enemies have killed them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
by the sword
This represents being in warfare. Alternate translation: "in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:29
Edom is there with her kings and all her leaders
Here "Edom" represents all the people of Edom. Alternate translation: "the people of Edom are in Sheol with their kings and all their leaders" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the pit
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:25. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 32:30
The princes of the north
"The princes who ruled nations in the north"
are there
"are in Sheol"
went down
"went down to Sheol"
had been pierced
The word "pierced" here is a metonym for "killed." This can be translated in active form. See how you translated similar words in Ezekiel 32:25. Alternate translation: "whom enemies had killed with swords" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
by the sword
This represents being in warfare. Alternate translation: "in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
They carry their own shame
Shame is spoken of as if it were an object that one could carry where he goes. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:25. Alternate translation: "who feel ashamed" or "who are now disgraced" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the pit
"The pit" refers to the grave; because the grave was thought to be the entrance to the world of the dead, the pit also represents that world. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 32:29.
Ezekiel 32:31
Pharaoh will look
It can be made explicit who Pharaoh will see. Alternate translation: "Pharaoh will see all the dead people from other nations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
be comforted about all his multitudes
It is implied that Pharaoh will be comforted because the armies of other great kings also died. Alternate translation: "will comfort himself that he was not the only king whose entire army died" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 32:32
I put him as my terrifying one in the land of the living
"While Pharaoh was still alive, I made him to terrify people"
he will be laid down in the midst of the uncircumcised
This can be put in active form. Alternate translation: "Others will lay him in the midst of the uncircumcised" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)