Ezekiel 29
World English Bible
WEB1In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 2“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. 3Speak and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the middle of his rivers, that has said, ‘My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.’ 4I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales. I will bring you up out of the middle of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales. 5I’ll cast you out into the wilderness, you and all the fish of your rivers. You’ll fall on the open field. You won’t be brought together or gathered. I have given you for food to the animals of the earth and to the birds of the sky. 6“‘“All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. 7When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke and paralyzed all of their thighs.” 8“‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I will bring a sword on you, and will cut off man and animal from you. 9The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. “‘“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it,’ 10therefore, behold, I am against you and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the tower of Seveneh even to the border of Ethiopia. 11No foot of man will pass through it, nor will any animal foot pass through it. It won’t be inhabited for forty years. 12I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.” 13“‘For the Lord Yahweh says: “At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered. 14I will reverse the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth. There they will be a lowly kingdom. 15It will be the lowest of the kingdoms. It won’t lift itself up above the nations any more. I will diminish them so that they will no longer rule over the nations. 16It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”’” 17It came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 18“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it. 19Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her multitude, take her plunder, and take her prey. That will be the wages for his army. 20I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he served, because they worked for me,’ says the Lord Yahweh. 21“In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.”
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Ezekiel Chapter 29 presents a prophetic oracle against #Egypt, specifically targeting Pharaoh #Hophra (also known as #Jehoiakim). The chapter begins with a declaration from the Lord, emphasizing that Egypt will face judgment for its pride and idolatry. The Lord compares Pharaoh to a great dragon lying in the midst of the Nile, symbolizing Egypt's power and self-reliance. However, God declares that He will bring judgment upon Egypt, cutting off its waters and making the land desolate, which signifies the impending defeat and humiliation of the nation. This serves as a reminder that no nation can stand against the sovereignty of God.
The chapter further reveals that Egypt will be given into the hands of foreign nations, specifically the #Babylonians, who will conquer and plunder the land. This prophecy not only foretells the physical destruction of Egypt but also highlights the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. The Lord promises that Egypt will be a desolate wasteland for forty years, after which He will restore the nation, but it will never regain its former glory. This restoration is part of God's overarching plan for the nations, demonstrating His control over history and His desire for all nations to recognize His sovereignty. The chapter concludes with a reminder that Egypt's fate is intertwined with God's purpose for Israel, as He will use Egypt's downfall to bring about His ultimate plan of redemption.
Referenced by
- Jeremiah 43:12v19Jeremiah 43:12 speaks of Nebuchadnezzar's victory over Egypt, which is also prophesied in Ezekiel 29:19, highlighting God's control over nations.
- Ezekiel 32:2v3Ezekiel 32:2 describes Pharaoh as a lion and a dragon, similar to Ezekiel 29:3 where Pharaoh is likened to a great dragon in the seas, symbolizing his pride and power.
Topics in this chapter
- Judgment
- Pride
- Sovereignty of God
- Restoration
- Egypt
- Humility
- Babylon
- Hope
- Nebuchadnezzar
- Prophecy
- Desolation
- Dragons in the Bible
- Ezekiel
- Mercy
- Nations
- Biblical Art
- Chaos
- Covenant
- Dependence on God
- Divine Control
- Divine Instrumentality
- Divine Judgment
- Divine Justice
- Divine Order
- Divine Power
- Divine Sovereignty
- Eternity
- Exile
- Ezekiel 29
- Faithfulness
- False Security
- Forty Years in the Wilderness
- God's Control
- God's Mercy
- God's Sovereignty
- Grace
- Hooks in the Bible
- Imagery in the Bible
- Influence
- Literary Metaphor in the Bible
- Nile River
- Pharaoh
- Pharaoh Hophra
- Power
- Promises
- Prophecy Fulfillment
- Prophet
- Provision
- Redemption
- Reward
- Self-Reliance
- Symbolism in the Bible
- Tannin
- The Nile
- The Sea in the Bible
- Trust
- Trust and Betrayal
- Trusting God
- Warning Against Pride
Related chapters
- Isaiah 19The NileNile RiverDivine Control
- Jeremiah 46PharaohNebuchadnezzarNations
- Ezekiel 30DesolationPharaohEzekiel
- Ezekiel 32TanninDragons in the BiblePharaoh
- Jeremiah 43Pharaoh HophraDivine ControlProphecy Fulfillment
- Exodus 7TanninThe NileNile River
- Daniel 4God's ControlNebuchadnezzarDivine Power
- Ezekiel 31PharaohDivine OrderSymbolism in the Bible
- Ezekiel 26The Sea in the BibleChaosDesolation
- Jeremiah 25NebuchadnezzarNationsBabylon
- Ezekiel 17PharaohSymbolism in the BibleEzekiel
- Jeremiah 29NebuchadnezzarBabylonExile
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