Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Ezekiel 32
Ezekiel 32:2"Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers."
Pharaoh saw himself as a majestic lion, but God reveals he is actually a chaotic sea monster that will be caught and removed. This shows how human self-perception often differs wildly from God's perspective.Ezekiel 32:15When I make the land of Egypt desolate, and when the land is desolate of all that fills it, when I strike down all who dwell in it, then they will know that I am the Lord.
The ultimate goal of Egypt's desolation is that they would know the Lord. Even in judgment, God's primary desire is to be recognized as the true and living God.Ezekiel 32:31These Pharaoh will see them and be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord God.
Pharaoh is depicted seeing other fallen nations in the world of the dead, finding a strange comfort in knowing he is not alone in his defeat. It highlights the tragic end of those who rely on their own might.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Funeral Song for a Fallen Giant
The chapter begins with a specific date, roughly nineteen months after the fall of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is commanded to lead a lamentation, which is a formal song of mourning, for the King of Egypt. While Egypt thought it was a lion among nations, God describes it as a dragon or sea monster that has muddied the waters of the world with its arrogance. This continues the series of prophecies against foreign nations found in the previous chapters.
The Descent into the World of the Dead
The scene then shifts from the physical world to the spiritual world, specifically the world of the dead, often called Sheol. Ezekiel describes a massive cemetery where the once-mighty empires of the past - Assyria, Elam, and Edom - now lie in shame. Egypt is told it will join them, losing its beauty and power and becoming one of the fallen. This serves as a final, haunting warning that earthly glory is temporary.
The Judgment and Burial of Egypt
In Ezekiel 32:1-32, the prophet delivers two distinct messages from God. The first is a poetic description of Egypt's capture like a wild animal, and the second is a guided tour through the grave where fallen nations reside.
The Great Net and Cosmic Darkness (Ezekiel 32:1-10)
1 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:
2 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers."
3 Thus says the Lord God: I will throw my net over you with a host of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my dragnet.
4 I will cast you on the ground; I will fling you on the open field.
5 I will strew your flesh upon the mountains and fill the valleys with your carcass.
6 I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be full of you.
7 When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.
8 All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord God.
9 "Then the land will be desolate, and its fullness, because of all these nations who are at the head of it."
10 I will make many peoples appalled at you, and their kings shall shudder because of you, when I brandish my sword before them. They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall.
Commentary:
God captures the Egyptian 'sea monster' and brings darkness over the land as a sign of judgment.
The Sword of Babylon (Ezekiel 32:11-16)
11 For thus says the Lord God: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you.
12 By the swords of the mighty warriors, all of them the most terrifying of the nations, they will bring to an end the pride of Egypt, and all its multitude will perish.
13 And I will destroy all its beasts from beside many waters; and no foot of man shall trouble them anymore, nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.
14 Then I will make their waters clear, and cause their rivers to run like oil, declares the Lord God.
15 When I make the land of Egypt desolate, and when the land is desolate of all that fills it, when I strike down all who dwell in it, then they will know that I am the Lord.
16 This is the lamentation that shall be chanted; the daughters of the nations shall chant it; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they chant it, declares the Lord God.”
Commentary:
Babylon will act as God's sword to end Egypt's pride and clear the troubled waters.
Welcome to the Pit (Ezekiel 32:17-21)
17 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:
18 “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, her and the daughters of majestic nations, to the world below, to those who have gone down to the pit:
19 'Whom do you surpass in beauty? Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised.'
20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes.
21 The mighty chiefs shall speak of them, with their helpers, out of the midst of Sheol: ‘They have come down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’
Commentary:
Egypt is told that its beauty is gone and it must join the common grave of the fallen.
A Directory of Fallen Empires (Ezekiel 32:22-32)
22 "Assyria is there, and all her company, its graves all around it, all of them slain, fallen by the sword,"
23 Their graves are set in the uttermost parts of the pit; and her company is all around her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who spread terror in the land of the living.
24 “Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.
25 They have made her a bed among the slain with all her multitude, her graves all around it, all of them uncircumcised, slain by the sword; for terror of them was spread in the land of the living, and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are placed among the slain.
26 "For I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries."
27 And they do not lie with the mighty, the fallen from among the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were laid under their heads, and whose iniquities are upon their bones; for the terror of the mighty men was in the land of the living.
28 "But as for you, son of man, mark two things for yourself: the sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you, and 29 I will bring it up against the land of Egypt."
29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who for all their might are laid with those who are killed by the sword; they lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit.
30 “The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might; they lie uncircumcised with those who are slain by the sword, and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.
31 These Pharaoh will see them and be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord God.
32 "For I spread terror in the land of the living; and he shall be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword, Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord God."
Commentary:
Egypt joins a long list of once-mighty nations that are now nothing but memories in the grave.
Spiritual Lessons from the Ruins of Egypt
The Deception of Self-Importance
Pharaoh believed he was a lion, a symbol of royalty and strength, but God saw him as a disruptive monster. This theme reveals that human pride often blinds us to our true condition and our need for God's grace.
God's Control Over the Nations
The chapter shows God's dominion extends over all the earth, not solely Israel. He raises up the King of Babylon to fulfill His word, proving that even secular history is under His direction.
The Equality of Death
By listing various nations in the 'pit,' Ezekiel shows that death is the great equalizer. Wealth, military might, and cultural beauty all vanish at the grave, leaving only the reality of one's relationship with the Creator.
Applying Ezekiel's Lament to Our Lives
Ezekiel 32:2 shows that pride makes us think we are more important or powerful than we actually are. When you rely on your own strength rather than God, you risk becoming a 'troubler of the waters' in your own life and the lives of others.
Based on verses 11-15, you can find peace knowing that God is in control of history. Even when the world feels chaotic or terrifying, God is working through events to ensure that eventually, all people will 'know that I am the Lord.'
The darkness described in verses 7-8 represents a life separated from God's light. It serves as a reminder to seek the light of Christ today so that you don't find yourself in spiritual darkness when the 'day of downfall' comes.
The End of All Earthly Glory
Ezekiel delivers a final, somber message that no earthly power is permanent or beyond God's reach. In the fall of Egypt, we see that God's character is defined by justice and His refusal to let pride go unchecked forever. The message is a sobering reality check: while human empires boast of their 'beauty' and 'terror,' they all eventually end up in the same silent grave. The only thing that lasts is the recognition of God's sovereignty and our humble response to His authority.
What This Means for Us Today
Ezekiel 32 is an invitation to trade our temporary pride for eternal humility. It reminds us that while the world's 'bright lights' may grow dark, God's light remains constant for those who trust Him. We are called to look past the fading glory of our own achievements and find our security in the Lord alone.
- Are there areas in your life where you are acting like a 'lion' but causing trouble like a 'dragon'?
- How can you focus more on eternal things this week rather than temporary status?
- What does it look like for you to truly 'know the Lord' in your daily routine?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This chapter uses the metaphor of a great cedar tree to describe the fall of Assyria as a warning to Egypt.
The focus shifts from foreign nations back to Israel, emphasizing the role of the watchman and personal responsibility.
Connections Across Scripture
A very similar passage describing the King of Babylon's descent into Sheol and the reaction of those already there.
A New Testament lament over the fall of 'Babylon,' representing the final judgment of worldly systems of pride.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think God uses the imagery of a sea monster (dragon) to describe Pharaoh instead of calling him a bad leader?
- In verse 15, God says the goal of judgment is that 'they will know that I am the Lord.' Why is this knowledge so important to God?
- How does the 'cemetery of nations' in the second half of the chapter change your perspective on what it means to be successful in this life?