Ezekiel 32:23
Her graves are set in the depths of the Pit, and her company is all around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword--those who once spread terror in the land of the living.
Their graves are set in the depths of the Pit
The phrase "their graves are set" indicates a predetermined and fixed position, suggesting divine judgment and the finality of their fate. The "depths of the Pit" refers to Sheol, the Hebrew term for the realm of the dead. In ancient Near Eastern thought, Sheol was a shadowy place where the dead resided, often depicted as a deep, dark pit. This imagery emphasizes the totality of their downfall and separation from the living, highlighting the consequences of their actions against God’s will.

and her company is all around her grave
The "company" refers to the multitude of followers or allies who shared in the same fate. The image of them being "all around her grave" suggests a communal aspect of judgment, where not only the leader but also the followers are held accountable. This reflects the biblical principle that those who align themselves with wickedness will share in its consequences. Historically, this can be seen in the downfall of nations and leaders who opposed God’s people, as their entire entourage often faced similar destruction.

all of them slain, fallen by the sword
The phrase "slain, fallen by the sword" is a vivid depiction of violent death, often used in the Old Testament to describe the fate of those who opposed God. The sword is a symbol of divine judgment and warfare, indicating that their demise was not merely a natural occurrence but a result of divine retribution. This serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of opposing God’s commands and the inevitable justice that follows.

who spread terror in the land of the living
This phrase identifies the reason for their judgment: they "spread terror." The Hebrew root for "terror" conveys a sense of fear and dread, often associated with oppressive and violent actions. By spreading terror, they disrupted the peace and order intended by God for His creation. The "land of the living" contrasts with the realm of the dead, emphasizing the impact of their actions on the world. This serves as a warning that those who cause fear and chaos will ultimately face divine justice, reinforcing the biblical theme of God as the righteous judge who restores order and peace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions.

2. The Pit
A metaphorical place representing Sheol or the grave, often depicted as a place of judgment or the abode of the dead.

3. The Slain
Refers to those who have died by the sword, symbolizing judgment and the consequences of spreading terror.

4. The Company
The group of people associated with the nation or entity being judged, gathered around the grave in the Pit.

5. The Land of the Living
Represents the world of the living, contrasting with the realm of the dead, where the slain once spread terror.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Judgment
The imagery of graves in the depths of the Pit serves as a stark reminder of God's judgment on those who spread terror and live in rebellion against Him.

The Consequences of Sin
The passage highlights the inevitable consequences of sin and violence, urging believers to live righteously and seek peace.

The Hope of Redemption
While the passage focuses on judgment, it also points to the broader biblical account of redemption and the hope found in Christ for those who turn from their ways.

The Importance of Legacy
Consider the legacy we leave behind. Are we spreading terror or peace in the land of the living? Our actions have lasting impacts.

The Call to Repentance
This passage serves as a call to repentance, encouraging individuals to turn from their sinful ways and seek God's mercy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of "the Pit" in Ezekiel 32:23 help us understand the concept of judgment in the Bible?

2. In what ways does the fate of the "slain" in this passage serve as a warning for us today?

3. How can we apply the lesson of legacy from this passage to our daily lives and interactions with others?

4. What connections can you find between Ezekiel 32:23 and the hope of redemption offered in the New Testament?

5. How does this passage challenge you to reflect on your own life and the areas where you might need to seek repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 14:9-11
This passage also describes the descent into Sheol and the gathering of the dead, emphasizing the humiliation of those who once held power.

Revelation 20:13-14
Discusses the final judgment and the casting of death and Hades into the lake of fire, providing a New Testament perspective on the ultimate fate of the dead.

Psalm 49:14-15
Contrasts the fate of the wicked in Sheol with the hope of the righteous, who are redeemed by God.
A Vision of the Unseen WorldW. Clarkson Ezekiel 32:17-32
Companionship in WoeJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 32:17-32
The Gathering of the Guilty Nations in HadesJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 32:17-32
People
Elam, Ezekiel, Meshech, Pharaoh, Sidonians, Tubal
Places
Assyria, Babylon, Edom, Egypt, Elam, Meshech-Tubal, Tigris-Euphrates Region
Topics
Appointed, Army, Assemblage, Assembly, Cause, Caused, Company, Depths, Fallen, Falling, Fear, Grave, Graves, Inmost, Lies, Pit, Remotest, Resting-places, Round, Sides, Slain, Spread, Sword, Terror, Underworld, Uttermost, Wounded
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 32:17-32

     9110   after-life

Ezekiel 32:23-25

     4257   pit

Library
How the Preacher, when He Has Accomplished all Aright, Should Return to Himself, Lest Either his Life or his Preaching Lift Him Up.
But since often, when preaching is abundantly poured forth in fitting ways, the mind of the speaker is elevated in itself by a hidden delight in self-display, great care is needed that he may gnaw himself with the laceration of fear, lest he who recalls the diseases of others to health by remedies should himself swell through neglect of his own health; lest in helping others he desert himself, lest in lifting up others he fall. For to some the greatness of their virtue has often been the occasion
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83]
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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