Ezekiel 38:20

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:20 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the prophecy of Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39, where God reveals that a coalition of nations, led by Gog, will gather against Israel. Here, God describes what will happen when He intervenes to defend His people. The shaking of all creation is not caused by the invading army or its devastations, but by the powerful presence of God Himself.

Meaning

The verse lists all creation—fish, birds, beasts, creeping things, and every person—shaking at God’s presence. The Hebrew word for “shake” (ra’ash) conveys a violent trembling, and the phrase “at my presence” makes clear that the cause is not the army but God Himself. The response is universal: no part of creation is exempt.

The physical upheaval that follows—mountains thrown down, steep places falling, and every wall collapsing—shows that God’s power overcomes all that seems stable or secure. Mountains represent grandeur and stability; steep places (cliffs or elevated terrain) suggest fortified locations; walls symbolize human defenses and structures. All are brought low before Him, signifying total divine judgment and the futility of human defenses.

Biblical connections

This portrayal of creation trembling before the Lord echoes Psalm 114:7, where the earth trembles at the presence of the Lord, and Nahum 1:5, which speaks of mountains quaking before Him. These connections reinforce the consistent biblical theme that all creation responds to divine majesty. The Hebrew word ra’ash used here also appears in Joel 3:16, where the heavens and earth shake before the Lord, further emphasizing the pattern of creation’s response to God’s self-revelation.

Application

For believers, this verse is a call to reverence and trust. It reminds us that human strength and defenses are nothing before God, and that He will defend His people and accomplish His purposes. It also assures us that no earthly power can withstand His presence. The prophecy assures that God’s purposes will prevail, and no wall or mountain can withstand Him.

Reflection

Consider the awe that fills all creation when God draws near. If mountains and walls fall at His presence, how much more should we approach Him with humility and faith, resting in His sovereignty rather than our own resources. This is a reminder that human strength is nothing before Him, and a call to trust in His power.