The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians: The princes of the north and the Sidonians are the final groups on the list of great nations who went to the underworld before Egypt. The princes of the north probably refers to the leaders of the Phoenician city-states to the north of Israel. Translators may say “the leaders of the countries in the north.” All the Sidonians probably refers to all the kings of the Phoenician city of Sidon (Greenberg). For this city see the introductory comments on 28.20-24. All the Phoenician city-states were traditional enemies of the Israelites.

Who have gone down in shame with the slain: See verse 24. This clause may be rendered “They have been disgraced since they are among those who died in war.”

For all the terror which they caused by their might: They went down to the underworld to be punished because they had used their great power to terrify others. Contemporary English Version says “Their powerful armies once terrified enemies,” and New International Reader’s Version has “While they were alive, they used their power to spread terror.”

They lie uncircumcised: See verse 21.

With those who are slain by the sword: See verse 20.

And bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit: See verse 24.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .