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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just describing a quieted landscape; it's painting a picture of utter depletion where even the natural stirring of life—beasts drinking or people passing by the water—is silenced. The complete absence of these common disturbances highlights the profound desolation God brings, leaving the waters undisturbed not because they are peaceful, but because there's virtually no one left to stir them.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is vividly describing the utter desolation that will fall upon Egypt, portraying it as a mighty, powerful beast of the Nile brought down. Following prophecies of Egypt's destruction and its downfall like a great warrior, this passage paints a picture of a land so emptied of life that even its waters, once teeming with activity and life along its riverbanks, will be utterly undisturbed. The absence of both human and animal presence signifies a complete and final quietude, marking the end of Egypt's geopolitical influence and its ability to trouble other nations.
Imagine a mighty river, once churning with activity, suddenly becoming still and quiet. Ezekiel uses this vivid imagery to speak about the fall of a powerful nation. What does this sudden silence truly signify?
Ezekiel 32:13 paints a picture of complete desolation for Egypt. The 'beasts' – meaning livestock like cattle, sheep, and horses – that once grazed by the abundant waters are now destroyed or driven away. This isn't just about agriculture; it's a metaphor for the nation's former vibrancy and influence being wiped out.
The End of an Era
The text emphasizes that 'no foot of man shall trouble them anymore, nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.' This speaks to the cessation of all human and animal activity that would disturb the waters. Think about the bustling life around Egypt's rivers: people working, armies marching, livestock drinking and trampling. All of this, representing Egypt's power and its tendency to 'trouble the waters' of surrounding nations with its political and military might, is brought to an abrupt halt. The conquest by the Chaldeans means Egypt will no longer be a disruptive force in the region.
Rivers can be sources of life, but they can also be symbols of chaos and disturbance. This verse promises a future peace, not just for the waters themselves, but for those affected by Egypt's actions. How does judgment lead to peace?
The destruction described in Ezekiel 32:13 isn't just about punishment; it's about establishing a new order. For generations, Egypt's 'restless activity and stir,' its political maneuvering and military campaigns, had 'disturbed' the surrounding nations. They were a constant source of anxiety and conflict.
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A Quiet Riverbed
When Egypt's power is broken, and its people and animals are diminished, the result is peace for others. The waters, no longer churned up by human feet or animal hooves, become still. This signifies that the nations previously troubled by Egypt can now experience tranquility. The judgment on Egypt, while devastating for them, brings a settling and quietness to the wider geopolitical landscape. It’s a profound reminder that God’s judgment, though severe, often serves a purpose of restoring order and peace to His creation.
Understand the original words
abad · Hebrew Verb
To make waste, lay desolate, or annihilate; often used in the context of divine judgment resulting in the removal of inhabitants or prosperity from a land.
This prophecy against Egypt speaks to its future desolation following foreign conquest, particularly the Persian invasion. The imagery of the Nile's waters no longer being disturbed by man or beast highlights the complete loss of Egypt's power and influence, a stark contrast to its historically prominent and often disruptive role in regional affairs.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance over Egypt
Assyrian kings like Sargon II and Esarhaddon exerted significant influence and control over parts of Egypt, disrupting its internal stability and political landscape.
c. 671 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Egypt
The Assyrian Empire under Esarhaddon conquered Egypt, installing local rulers but marking a period of foreign domination and instability.
c. 655-609 BC
Saite Dynasty's Revival
The Saite dynasty, particularly Psamtik I, managed to expel the Assyrians and restore a degree of Egyptian independence and prosperity, though it remained wary of foreign powers.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II decisively defeated the Egyptians, ending Egypt's aspirations for regional dominance and marking the rise of Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem and exiled many Judeans to Babylon. Egypt, though defeated earlier, was seen by some Judeans as a potential ally or refuge.
525 BC— this verse
Persian Conquest of Egypt
The Achaemenid Persian Empire, led by Cambyses II, conquered Egypt, ending its independence for centuries and subjecting it to foreign rule.
522-486 BC
Reign of Darius the Great
While Egypt experienced periods of revolt during the Persian rule, rulers like Darius I attempted to integrate Egypt into the empire, but the nation's former glory was greatly diminished.
This passage directly parallels the imagery of complete devastation, stating that both man and beast will be swept away, highlighting the totality of God's judgment.
Jeremiah 51:34This verse describes Babylon being devoured, and the waters rising, which echoes the theme of powerful nations being consumed and their influence silenced, much like the waters of Egypt becoming undisturbed.
Isaiah 19:5-8This prophecy foretells the drying up of the Nile and the devastation of Egypt's resources, including its fish and reeds, reinforcing the idea of complete ecological and economic collapse for Egypt.
Ezekiel 29:11-12This earlier prophecy from Ezekiel also describes Egypt's desolation, with no man or beast dwelling there for forty years, directly supporting the idea of a land emptied of its inhabitants and activity.
pooleEzekiel 32:13: "I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them."
All the beasts thereof; the sheep and oxen devoured by hungry Chaldean soldiers, or else driven away; the horses taken up to mount the horsemen of the Chaldee army, whose own horses were tired or spoiled. Beside the great waters; the pastures lying along the river’s side, and along their canals, should be emptied of…
ellicottEzekiel 32:13: "I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them."
(13) Will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters .—The figurative description of this and the following verses is taken from the vast herds of cattle in Egypt going to the river to drink, and trampling the banks and disturbing the water with their feet (comp. Ezekiel 32:2 ). These represent…
This verse isn't just describing a quieted landscape; it's painting a picture of utter depletion where even the natural stirring of life—beasts drinking or people passing by the water—is silenced. The complete absence of these common disturbances highlights the profound desolation God brings, leaving the waters undisturbed not because they are peaceful, but because there's virtually no one left to stir them.
Ezekiel is vividly describing the utter desolation that will fall upon Egypt, portraying it as a mighty, powerful beast of the Nile brought down. Following prophecies of Egypt's destruction and its downfall like a great warrior, this passage paints a picture of a land so emptied of life that even its waters, once teeming with activity and life along its riverbanks, will be utterly undisturbed. The absence of both human and animal presence signifies a complete and final quietude, marking the end of Egypt's geopolitical influence and its ability to trouble other nations.
Ezekiel is vividly describing the utter desolation that will fall upon Egypt, portraying it as a mighty, powerful beast of the Nile brought down. Following prophecies of Egypt's destruction and its downfall like a great warrior, this passage paints a picture of a land so emptied of life that even its waters, once teeming with activity and life along its riverbanks, will be utterly undisturbed. The absence of both human and animal presence signifies a complete and final quietude, marking the end of Egypt's geopolitical influence and its ability to trouble other nations.
"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." — This verse isn't just describing a quieted landscape; it's painting a picture of utter depletion where even the natural stirring of life—beasts drinking or people passing by the water—is silenced. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026