What does Ezekiel 32:16 mean?
"This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 32:16
The verse Ezekiel 32:16 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord God."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that contains prophecies and laments concerning the downfall of Egypt. In the context of this chapter, the prophet Ezekiel is delivering a message from the Lord God about the judgment that will come upon Egypt and its people. The chapter describes Egypt as a mighty and powerful nation that will be brought low and made desolate.
The lamentation mentioned in this verse refers to a song or poem of mourning and grief that will be expressed by the daughters of the nations for the fall of Egypt. It is important to note that in the ancient world, lamentations were a common form of expressing sorrow and mourning for the dead or for a great tragedy. Here, the lamentation is not just for Egypt itself, but also for all her multitude, signifying the vast and widespread impact of the nation's downfall.
The use of the term "daughters of the nations" in this verse suggests that the mourning for Egypt's fall will be widespread and universal. It is not just the people of Egypt who will lament, but also the people of other nations who will be affected by Egypt's demise. This emphasizes the significance of Egypt as a powerful and influential nation in the ancient world, and the magnitude of the impact that its downfall will have on the surrounding nations.
The verse also emphasizes that this lamentation is not just a human response, but it is also the will of the Lord God. This reflects the divine judgment and sovereignty of God over the nations of the world. The message is clear that even the mightiest nations are subject to God's judgment and that no nation can escape the consequences of its actions.
From a thematic perspective, this verse speaks to the themes of judgment, power, and the sovereignty of God. It underscores the biblical principle that no nation or ruler is beyond the reach of God's judgment, and that all the nations of the earth are subject to His authority. It also highlights the transient nature of earthly power and the inevitability of eventual downfall for those who act in disobedience to God.
In terms of symbolism, Egypt in this passage can be seen as a symbol of worldly power and pride. Its downfall serves as a warning to other nations and individuals who place their trust in their own strength and achievements rather than in God. The lamentation itself can symbolize the universal nature of grief and suffering, as well as the interconnectedness of nations and peoples in the face of tragedy.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 32:16 is a powerful and evocative verse that forms part of a larger prophecy about the downfall of Egypt. It conveys a message of divine judgment and the universal impact of earthly power and pride. The verse serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over the nations, the fragility of human achievements, and the inevitability of facing the consequences of our actions. It prompts reflection on the nature of power and the importance of placing our trust in God rather than in our own abilities.
Have questions about Ezekiel 32:16?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Ezekiel 32:16 Artwork
Ezekiel 32:16 - "This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD."
"This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, even for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 32:16
Ezekiel 16:32 - "But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!"
"But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!" - Ezekiel 16:32
Numbers 32:16-18
Numbers 32:16-18
Ezekiel 32:32 - "For I have caused my terror in the land of the living: and he shall be laid in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that are slain with the sword, even Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 32:5 - "And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height."
Ezekiel 32:11 - "¶ For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee."
Ezekiel 40:32 - "¶ And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures."
Ezekiel 32:14 - "Then will I make their waters deep, and cause their rivers to run like oil, saith the Lord GOD."
Isaiah 32:16 - "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field."
Ezekiel 32:22 - "Asshur is there and all her company: his graves are about him: all of them slain, fallen by the sword:"
Ezekiel 32:20 - "They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword: draw her and all her multitudes."
Bible Art of the bible verse Ezekiel 32:19 - "Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised."
Ezekiel 32:17 - "¶ It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 18:32 - "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Acts 16:32 - "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."
Deuteronomy 32:16 - "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger."
Job 32:16 - "When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)"
Exodus 32:16 - "And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables."
Ezekiel 20:32 - "And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone."
Ezekiel 32:1 - "And it came to pass in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
1 Chronicles 16:32 - "Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein."
Ezekiel 21:32 - "Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I the LORD have spoken it."
Ezekiel 48:32 - "And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan."
Ezekiel 32:8 - "All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee, and set darkness upon thy land, saith the Lord GOD."
2 Chronicles 32:16 - "And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah."
Ezekiel 36:32 - "Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel."
Ezekiel 16:35 - "¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:"