BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezekiel› Chapter 32› Verse 18

Ezekiel 32:18

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 32:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
Ezekiel 32:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 32

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate and waste, a land destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I am Jehovah.
16This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament; the daughters of the nations shall lament therewith; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they lament therewith, saith the Lord Jehovah.
17It came to pass also in the twelfth year, in the fifteenth [day] of the month, that the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
18Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.
19Whom dost thou pass in beauty? go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised.
20They shall fall in the midst of them that are slain by the sword: she is delivered to the sword; draw her away and all her multitudes.
21The 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.
← Ezekiel 32:17Ezekiel 32:19 →
← Full Chapter 32 Ezekiel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, &c.] Sing a funeral song or dirge, or compose one, to be sung by the mourning women, on account of the vast numbers of the inhabitants of Egypt that shall be slain; for the prophet himself would not mourn, but rejoice, on this occasion; but this is said to show the certainty of the destruction, and the lamentation that would be made on that account: and cast them down, even her and the daughters of the famous nations; Egypt, and all those countries, and the inhabitants of them, that were in alliance and friendship with her; that is, declare by prophecy that they shall be cast down and destroyed, or be brought down from the height of grandeur and…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cast them down--that is predict that they shall be cast down (so Jer 1:10). The prophet's word was God's, and carried with it its own fulfilment. daughters of . . . nations--that is the nations with their peoples. Egypt is to share the fate of other ancient nations once famous, now consigned to oblivion: Elam (Eze 32:24), Meshech, &c. (Eze 32:26), Edom (Eze 32:29), Zidon (Eze 32:30).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wail - Prepare the funeral ceremonies at the burial of Egypt. The daughters - And celebrate the funerals of other cities and kingdoms that lie buried in their own ruins. The nether parts of the earth - A well known description of the state of the dead. The pit - The Egyptians affected to be buried in the Pyramids, and their kings, and great ones, would be laid by themselves; but Ezekiel provides them their grave among common people, being buried just where they fall. Ezekiel 32:19”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“32:18-20 In an earlier message (31:17-18), God had declared that Egypt would go down to join the other nations in the underworld. Here that idea is expanded. Egypt’s destination was with the outcasts, along with those who fell by the sword. This place of horror, the pit, was already populated by many nations that once wielded power but had now gone down to destruction (cp. Isa 14:9-11).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“wail: Eze 32:2, Eze 32:16, Eze 21:6, Eze 21:7; Isa 16:9; Mic 1:8; Luk 19:41; Rom 12:15 cast: That is, predict that they shall be cast down. Eze 43:3; Jer 1:10; Hos 6:5 the daughters: The cities and colonies of the celebrated nations afterwards enumerated. unto the: Eze 32:21, Eze 32:24-32, Eze 26:20, Eze 31:14; Psa 30:9, Psa 63:9; Isa 14:15 Ezekiel 32:19”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 32 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification