Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version From within the realm of the dead the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, ‘They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.’ New Living Translation Down in the grave mighty leaders will mockingly welcome Egypt and its allies, saying, ‘They have come down; they lie among the outcasts, hordes slaughtered by the sword.’ English Standard Version 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.’ Berean Standard Bible Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ Berean Literal Bible The chiefs of the mighty ones will speak concerning him from the midst of Sheol, with his helpers: ‘They have gone down, they have lain down with the uncircumcised, those slain by the sword.’ King James Bible The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword. New King James Version The strong among the mighty Shall speak to him out of the midst of hell With those who help him: ‘They have gone down, They lie with the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ New American Standard Bible The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol: ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, killed by the sword.’ NASB 1995 “The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ NASB 1977 “The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ Legacy Standard Bible The dominant among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ Amplified Bible The strong among the mighty rulers will say of him (Pharaoh) and his allies from the midst of Sheol, ‘They have gone down [defeated]; they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ Berean Annotated Bible Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. Christian Standard Bible Warrior leaders will speak from the middle of Sheol about him and his allies: ‘They have come down; the uncircumcised lie slain by the sword.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible Warrior leaders will speak from the middle of Sheol about him and his allies: They have come down; the uncircumcised lie slain by the sword. American Standard Version The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. Contemporary English Version Brave military leaders killed in battle will gladly welcome you and your allies into the world of the dead. English Revised Version The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. GOD'S WORD® Translation The mightiest warriors will say to Pharaoh from the grave, 'You and your defenders have come down, and you now lie with the godless people who were killed in battle.' Good News Translation The greatest heroes and those who fought on the Egyptian side welcome the Egyptians to the world of the dead. They shout: 'The ungodly who were killed in battle have come down here, and here they lie!' International Standard Version "Mighty leaders will address them and those who assist them right out of the middle of Sheol: 'They've come down and will lie still, these uncircumcised people who have died violently.' NET Bible The bravest of the warriors will speak to him from the midst of Sheol along with his allies, saying: 'The uncircumcised have come down; they lie still, killed by the sword.' New Heart English Bible The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of Sheol with those who help him: 'They are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.' Webster's Bible Translation The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of the grave with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ World English Bible The strong among the mighty will speak to him out of the middle of Sheol with those who help him. They have gone down. The uncircumcised lie still, slain by the sword. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe gods of the mighty speak to him out of the midst of Sheol, "" With his helpers—they have gone down, "" They have lain with the uncircumcised, "" The pierced of the sword. Berean Literal Bible The chiefs of the mighty ones will speak concerning him from the midst of Sheol, with his helpers: ‘They have gone down, they have lain down with the uncircumcised, those slain by the sword.’ Young's Literal Translation Speak to him do the gods of the mighty out of the midst of sheol, With his helpers -- they have gone down, They have lain with the uncircumcised, The pierced of the sword. Smith's Literal Translation The strong of the mighty shall say to him from the midst of hades with his helpers: they went down; they lay uncircumcised, wounded of the sword. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe most mighty among the strong ones shall speak to him from the midst of hell, they that went down with his helpers, and slept uncircumcised, slain by the sword. Catholic Public Domain Version The most powerful among the strong will speak to him from the midst of hell, those who descended with his helpers and who went to sleep uncircumcised, slain by the sword. New American Bible Out of Sheol the mighty warriors will speak to him and his allies: Let them descend and lie down among the uncircumcised, those slain by the sword! New Revised Standard Version 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, killed by the sword.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe rulers of the nations shall speak to their young men out of the midst of Sheol; they shall go down, and the uncircumcised shall lie with those who are slain by the sword; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The Rulers of the Gentiles shall speak with their young men from within Sheol, and they shall go down, and the uncircumcised shall sleep with the slain of the sword OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The strong among the mighty shall speak of him out of the midst of the nether-world with them that helped him; they are gone down, they lie still, even the uncircumcised, slain by the sword. Brenton Septuagint Translation Be thou in the depth of the pit: to whom art thou superior? yea, go down, and lie with the uncircumcised, in the midst of them that are slain with the sword. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Egypt Cast into the Pit…20They will fall among those slain by the sword. The sword is appointed! Let them drag her away along with all her multitudes. 21Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ 22Assyria is there with her whole company; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword.… Cross References Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol Isaiah 14:9-10 Sheol beneath is eager to meet you upon your arrival. It stirs the spirits of the dead to greet you—all the rulers of the earth. It makes all the kings of the nations rise from their thrones. / They will all respond to you, saying, “You too have become weak, as we are; you have become like us!” 1 Samuel 28:13-15 “Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. / “What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence. / Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” Ezekiel 31:16-17 I made the nations quake at the sound of its downfall, when I cast it down to Sheol with those who descend to the Pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were consoled in the earth below. / They too descended with it to Sheol, to those slain by the sword. As its allies they had lived in its shade among the nations. about Egypt and her allies: Ezekiel 30:5 Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword. Ezekiel 30:8 Then they will know that I am the LORD when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are shattered. Jeremiah 46:25 The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, Ezekiel 31:18 Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’” Ezekiel 28:10 You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. For I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.” Jeremiah 9:25-26 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh— / Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab, and all the inhabitants of the desert who clip the hair of their temples. For all these nations are uncircumcised, and the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.” with those slain by the sword.’ Isaiah 14:19 But you are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot. Jeremiah 14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy will be thrown into the streets of Jerusalem because of famine and sword. There will be no one to bury them or their wives, their sons or their daughters. I will pour out their own evil upon them. Deuteronomy 28:25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth. Isaiah 14:15-19 But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. / Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble, / who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?” … Isaiah 38:18 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. Job 26:5 The dead tremble—those beneath the waters and those who dwell in them. Psalm 88:10-12 Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You? Selah / Can Your loving devotion be proclaimed in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon? / Will Your wonders be known in the darkness, or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion? Treasury of Scripture The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the middle of hell with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword. Ezekiel 32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living. Isaiah 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. Isaiah 14:9,10 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations… gone Ezekiel 32:19,24,25 Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised… Numbers 16:30-34 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD… Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Jump to Previous Beautiful Chiefs Circumcision Egypt Gods Grave Great Hell Help Helped Helpers Lie Midst Mighty Nether-World Ones Pierced Rest Sheol Slain Speak Strong Sword They Uncircumcised Underworld WithinJump to Next Beautiful Chiefs Circumcision Egypt Gods Grave Great Hell Help Helped Helpers Lie Midst Mighty Nether-World Ones Pierced Rest Sheol Slain Speak Strong Sword They Uncircumcised Underworld WithinEzekiel 32 1. A lamentation for the fearful fall of Egypt11. The sword of Babylon shall destroy it 17. It shall be brought down to hell, among all the uncircumcised nations Mighty chiefs will speak from the midst of Sheol In ancient Near Eastern thought, Sheol is often depicted as the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where departed spirits reside. The "mighty chiefs" refer to powerful leaders or warriors who have died and are now in Sheol. This imagery suggests that even in death, these leaders retain a form of consciousness and can communicate. The concept of Sheol is consistent with other Old Testament references, such as in Isaiah 14:9-11, where the dead are portrayed as aware of new arrivals. Theologically, this passage underscores the idea that earthly power and might do not prevent one from facing judgment after death. about Egypt and her allies: ‘They have come down and lie with the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword.’ Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and restoration. 2. Sheol In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place where the departed spirits reside. It is often depicted as a shadowy existence. 3. Mighty Leaders These are the powerful rulers and warriors who have died and are now in Sheol. They are depicted as speaking about Egypt's downfall. 4. Egypt A powerful nation often in conflict with Israel. In this context, Egypt is being judged for its pride and alliances against God's people. 5. The Uncircumcised This term refers to those who are not part of the covenant community of Israel, often symbolizing those outside of God's favor or protection. Teaching Points The Reality of JudgmentGod's judgment is real and inevitable for those who oppose Him. Just as Egypt faced consequences for its actions, so will all nations and individuals who reject God's authority. The Futility of Earthly Power Earthly power and alliances cannot save us from God's judgment. True security is found only in a relationship with God. The Importance of Covenant Relationship Being part of God's covenant community is crucial. The "uncircumcised" symbolize those outside of God's promises, reminding us of the importance of faith and obedience. The Finality of Death Death is the great equalizer, bringing both the mighty and the humble to the same end. This should prompt us to live with an eternal perspective. The Call to Repentance God's warnings are an invitation to repentance. We must heed His call and turn from our ways to avoid the fate of those judged in Sheol. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 32:21?2. How does Ezekiel 32:21 illustrate the fate of the mighty in Sheol? 3. What lessons can we learn about pride from Ezekiel 32:21? 4. How does Ezekiel 32:21 connect with Proverbs 16:18 on pride? 5. How can we apply the warnings in Ezekiel 32:21 to our lives today? 6. What does Ezekiel 32:21 teach about God's judgment on nations and leaders? 7. What does Ezekiel 32:21 reveal about the fate of the mighty in the afterlife? 8. How does Ezekiel 32:21 challenge the concept of earthly power and its eternal significance? 9. Why are the mighty described as speaking from Sheol in Ezekiel 32:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 32? 11. Ezekiel 32 overall - How do we reconcile the violent imagery of divine judgment here with other biblical passages that emphasize mercy and compassion? 12. Ezekiel 32:2 - Does the historical record support Pharaoh's downfall as graphically portrayed here, or does it conflict with known events in ancient Egypt? 13. In Luke 21:25-26, are the cosmic signs literal events that defy scientific explanation, or figurative language open to interpretation? 14. Ezekiel 32:11-15 - Do these specific predictions of destruction align with known Egyptian history, or are there discrepancies that suggest a historical or prophetic mismatch? What Does Ezekiel 32:21 Mean Mighty chiefs will speak• The “mighty chiefs” are the once-formidable rulers already in the realm of the dead. Ezekiel’s later verses name some of them—Assyria, Elam, Meshech-Tubal (Ezekiel 32:22-30). • Like a grim welcome committee, they raise their voices when a new power arrives. Isaiah 14:9-10 pictures the same scene: “Sheol beneath is excited to meet you… ‘You too have become weak as we are.’” • Their speaking underscores that no earthly strength can shield a nation from God’s judgment (Psalm 76:12; Revelation 19:17-18). from the midst of Sheol • Sheol is the real, conscious abode of the dead (Psalm 9:17; 1 Samuel 2:6). • God’s justice reaches there; Pharaoh will not escape simply by dying (Ezekiel 31:16; Luke 16:23-24). • The setting also reminds the living that death does not end accountability (Hebrews 9:27). about Egypt and her allies • Egypt’s political partners—Cush, Put, Lud, Arabia, and others (Ezekiel 30:4-6; 38:5)—shared her idolatry and pride, so they share her fate. • Alliances cannot outmuscle the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 33:10-11). • Jeremiah 46:25 affirms the same verdict: “‘I will punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods and her kings—even Pharaoh and those who trust in him.’” They have come down • “Come down” stresses a one-way descent (Proverbs 15:24; Ezekiel 26:20). Once God’s judgment falls, reversal is impossible (Luke 13:27-28). • The phrase also mirrors Egypt’s earlier arrogance—Pharaoh thought himself a soaring cedar (Ezekiel 31:3-9), yet now is felled to the pit. and lie with the uncircumcised • To “lie with the uncircumcised” is humiliation for a nation that proudly practiced circumcision as a sign of civilization. It places Egypt among the godless (Genesis 17:14; Ezekiel 44:7). • Spiritual uncircumcision—hearts closed to God—matters more than outward signs (Jeremiah 9:25-26; Romans 2:28-29). • The phrase also signals permanent exclusion from God’s covenant people (Ephesians 2:12). with those slain by the sword • Egypt falls not by natural decline but by violent conquest, fulfilling “Those destined for the sword, to the sword they will go” (Jeremiah 15:2). • Ezekiel repeatedly links the sword to divine judgment (Ezekiel 32:10, 20, 28). • The shared grave of the sword-slain displays God’s impartial justice—whether Assyria earlier or Babylon later, all meet the same end when unrepentant (Habakkuk 2:8). summary Ezekiel 32:21 pictures fallen world rulers taunting Egypt as it joins them in Sheol. Their mockery highlights five truths: earthly power cannot save, God’s judgment extends beyond death, alliances offer no refuge, covenant signs without faith are empty, and violent rebellion reaps violent demise. The verse therefore calls every nation and individual to humble repentance and wholehearted submission to the Lord who judges both the living and the dead. (21) Speak to him.--The pronoun oscillates between the masculine and the feminine, because the thought is partly of the king and partly of the kingdom. The pronoun is determined by whichever is for the moment uppermost in the prophet's mind. On Hell, see Note on Ezekiel 31:16-17. It occurs also at Ezekiel 32:27.Verse 21. - The strong among the mighty. Those already in Sheol watch the new arrival, and make their scornful comments (comp. Isaiah 14:9, 18), at once classing them with the uncircumcised. Had they heard, we ask, of the downfall of Egypt?Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Mightyגִבּוֹרִ֛ים (ḡib·bō·w·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant chiefs אֵלֵ֧י (’ê·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty will speak יְדַבְּרוּ־ (yə·ḏab·bə·rū-) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue from the midst מִתּ֥וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre of Sheol שְׁא֖וֹל (šə·’ō·wl) Noun - common singular Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death) about [Egypt] אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among and her allies: עֹֽזְרָ֑יו (‘ō·zə·rāw) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5826: To surround, protect, aid “They have come down יָֽרְד֛וּ (yā·rə·ḏū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend and lie שָׁכְב֥וּ (šā·ḵə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7901: To lie down with the uncircumcised, הָעֲרֵלִ֖ים (hā·‘ă·rê·lîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 6189: Having foreskin (uncircumcised) with those slain חַלְלֵי־ (ḥal·lê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted by the sword.” חָֽרֶב׃ (ḥā·reḇ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword Links Ezekiel 32:21 NIVEzekiel 32:21 NLT Ezekiel 32:21 ESV Ezekiel 32:21 NASB Ezekiel 32:21 KJV Ezekiel 32:21 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 32:21 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 32:21 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 32:21 French Bible Ezekiel 32:21 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 32:21 The strong among the mighty shall speak (Ezek. 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