What Does Ezekiel 38:5 Mean in the King James?

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

Ezekiel 38:5 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Hebrew word for “shield” also appears in a verb rendered “delivered,” placing bodily defense beside the question of who is put into whose hand.

THE MEANING

The verse gives the threat a visible form: named peoples stand together, equipped with shield and helmet. Their defenses are carried on the body, but this line leaves the outcome unresolved.

THE ROOT

מָגֵן

magen

GROWS FROM

מגן

m-g-n

To shield or defend; in a related verbal form, to deliver or hand over.

The shield is more than an object of defense: its consonants also appear in a verb rendered “delivered.” That shared word-family brings protection close to the question of who is placed into whose hand.

ALSO GROWS

magen: Shield; defensive covering.

מָגֵן

This is the protection the verse names as part of the coalition’s equipment.

miggen: Delivered or handed over (Genesis 14:20).

מִגֵּן

The related verb widens the image from defense to the transfer of power: someone is delivered into another’s hand.

THE PATTERN

Hostile power appears as a coalition made ready for conflict.

Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.

Ezekiel 38:6 · KJVThe gathering expands to include more peoples and their bands, making the coalition’s scale visible.

Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

Joel 3:9 · KJVThe verse depicts peoples and fighters being summoned and readied for war.

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Revelation 19:19 · KJVKings and armies gather together in open readiness for battle.

THE THREAD

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalm 18:2 · KJV

The Hebrew word ⁨מָגֵן⁩ (magen, shield) shares the root ⁨מגן⁩ (m-g-n) with the word rendered “buckler” here. In Ezekiel it belongs to an armed coalition; in this verse the same shield-word names personal refuge.

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