Ezekiel Chapter 30
1 The LORD's word came again to me, saying,
2 "Son of man, prophesy, and say, 'The Lord GOD says: "Wail, 'Alas for the day!'
3 For the day is near, even the LORD's day is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of the nations.
4 A sword will come on Egypt, and anguish will be in Ethiopia, when the slain fall in Egypt. They take away her multitude, and her foundations are broken down.
5 " ' "Ethiopia, Put, Lud, all the mixed people, Cub, and the children of the land that is allied with them, will fall with them by the sword."
6 " 'The LORD says: "They also who uphold Egypt will fall. The pride of her power will come down. They will fall by the sword in it from the tower of Seveneh," says the Lord GOD.
7 "They will be desolate in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities will be amongst the cities that are wasted.
8 They will know that I am the LORD when I have set a fire in Egypt, and all her helpers are destroyed.
9 " ' "In that day messengers will go out from before me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid. There will be anguish on them, as in the day of Egypt; for, behold, it comes."
10 " 'The Lord GOD says: "I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
11 He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.
12 I will make the rivers dry, and will sell the land into the hand of evil men. I will make the land desolate, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I, the LORD, have spoken it."
13 " 'The Lord GOD says: "I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease from Memphis. There will be no more a prince from the land of Egypt. I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
14 I will make Pathros desolate, and will set a fire in Zoan, and will execute judgements on No.
15 I will pour my wrath on Sin, the stronghold of Egypt. I will cut off the multitude of No.
16 I will set a fire in Egypt Sin will be in great anguish. No will be broken up. Memphis will have adversaries in the daytime.
17 The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth will fall by the sword. They will go into captivity.
18 At Tehaphnehes also the day will withdraw itself, when I break the yokes of Egypt, there. The pride of her power will cease in her. As for her, a cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity.
19 Thus I will execute judgements on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the LORD." ' "
20 In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, the LORD's word came to me, saying,
21 "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it become strong to hold the sword.
22 Therefore the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong arm, and that which was broken. I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
23 I will scatter the Egyptians amongst the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
24 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before the king of Babylon with the groaning of a mortally wounded man.
25 I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt.
26 I will scatter the Egyptians amongst the nations, and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' "
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Ezekiel Chapter 30 Guide
The third prophecy described the process by which Nebuchadnezzar would accomplish the purpose of Jehovah. It opens with an introductory word announcing the nearness of the day of the Lord, and foretelling the anguish which would fall on all the peoples in the hour of Egypt's overthrow. This anguish would be caused by the fact that all who had helped her would be made desolate, thus sharing in her judgment. As for Egypt itself, the stroke of Jehovah would fall on the land, whose rivers would be dried as it passed under the domination of evil men. The stroke would also fall on the idols, and finally on all the great cities of the land.
The fourth prophecy was directed against the power of Pharaoh. Judgment against him was described as the breaking of his arm, for which breaking there would be no healing, and therefore he would have no power to hold the sword. This would be accomplished by the king of Babylon, and Ezekiel contrasted his power with the weakness of Pharaoh by declaring that Jehovah would strengthen his arms, so that he might hold the sword and execute His judgment on the land of Egypt. Thus the Egyptians would be scattered among the nations, and dispersed through the countries. Again, each of these prophecies concludes with the clear declaration of purpose, "They shall know that I am Jehovah."
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Ezekiel Chapter 30 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- A prophecy against Egypt. -- (1-19)
- Another. -- (20-26)
Verses 1-19
The prophecy of the destruction of Egypt is very full. Those who take their lot with God's enemies, shall be with them in punishment. The king of Babylon and his army shall be instruments of this destruction. God often makes one wicked man a scourge to another. No place in the land of Egypt shall escape the fury of the Chaldeans. The Lord is known by the judgments he executes. Yet these are only present effects of the Divine displeasure, not worthy of our fear, compared with the wrath to come, from which Jesus delivers his people.
Verses 20-26
Egypt shall grow weaker and weaker. If lesser judgments do not prevail to humble and reform sinners, God will send greater. God justly breaks that power which is abused, either to put wrongs upon people, or to put cheats upon them. Babylon shall grow stronger. In vain do men endeavour to bind up the arm the Lord is pleased to break, and to strengthen those whom he will bring down. Those who disregard the discoveries of his truth and mercy, shall know his power and justice, in the punishment for their sins.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.