Ezekiel Chapter 29
Ezekiel 29
God Against “King Crocodile”
Ezekiel 29 begins a four-chapter section of prophecies against Egypt. This was important because Egypt had long been both an enemy and a temptation to Israel. Egypt had enslaved Israel, yet Israel repeatedly looked back to Egypt for help, protection, and political rescue instead of trusting the LORD. In Ezekiel’s day, some in Judah still hoped Egypt would save Jerusalem from Babylon. The LORD therefore speaks against Pharaoh and Egypt, exposing Pharaoh’s pride, Egypt’s unreliability, and the certainty of Egypt’s judgment. Pharaoh is pictured as a great monster or crocodile lying in the Nile, boasting that the river belongs to him and that he made it for himself. God answers by putting hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws, dragging him from his rivers, making Egypt desolate, and later restoring Egypt as a lowly kingdom. The uploaded notes emphasize Egypt’s pride in the Nile, Egypt’s failure as a staff of reed to Israel, Nebuchadnezzar’s unpaid labor against Tyre, and God’s decision to give Egypt to Babylon as wages for that labor.
A. Against Egypt.
1. Ezekiel 29:1-3, God opposes the pride of Egypt and her Pharaoh.
Ezekiel 29:1, In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 29:2, Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:
Ezekiel 29:3, Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.
In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month places this prophecy before the fall of Jerusalem. The siege of Jerusalem had begun in the ninth year, tenth month, tenth day, as recorded in Ezekiel 24. This word against Egypt came while Jerusalem still stood and while some in Judah still hoped Egypt would help them against Babylon.
Ezekiel 24:1, Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 24:2, Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.
Egypt had been a temptation to Israel from the earliest days. Abraham went down into Egypt during famine, and that began a pattern of looking to Egypt in crisis.
Genesis 12:10, And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Isaiah later warned Judah against this same impulse.
Isaiah 31:1, Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many: and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
Set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt means Ezekiel must turn in prophetic opposition to Pharaoh. Egypt was ancient, wealthy, powerful, and impressive, but Ezekiel represented the God of the whole earth. The LORD rules Egypt as surely as He rules Judah, Babylon, Tyre, or Sidon.
The Pharaoh in view was likely Pharaoh Hophra, the same ruler mentioned by Jeremiah. Hophra’s military action temporarily interrupted Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem, but Egypt could not save Judah.
Jeremiah 37:5, Then Pharaoh’s army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 37:6, Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
Jeremiah 37:7, Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
Jeremiah 37:8, And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
Jeremiah also named Pharaoh Hophra in judgment.
Jeremiah 44:30, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
Prophesy against him, and against all Egypt shows that the judgment would reach both Pharaoh and the nation. The pride of the ruler and the pride of the land were joined together.
Behold, I am against thee is the dreadful center of the prophecy. Egypt may have been mighty, but the LORD was against her. No river, army, chariot, wealth, or ancient glory can save a nation when God stands against it.
The great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers pictures Pharaoh as a great monster or crocodile lying in the Nile and its channels. Egypt’s life depended on the Nile. Pharaoh saw himself as master of that river and therefore master of Egypt’s strength.
My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself exposes Pharaoh’s blasphemous pride. He claimed ownership and creative power over the Nile. Instead of recognizing the LORD as Creator and giver, Pharaoh acted as if the source of Egypt’s life belonged to him and existed by his power.
This is the same kind of self-deifying pride seen in other rulers.
Daniel 4:30, The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
Pharaoh’s claim was absurd. He did not make the Nile. The Nile, under God’s providence, made Egypt prosperous. Pride reverses reality and turns gifts into self-glory.
2. Ezekiel 29:4-5, God’s promise to capture Egypt and Pharaoh like a great crocodile.
Ezekiel 29:4, But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.
Ezekiel 29:5, And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.
I will put hooks in thy jaws answers Pharaoh’s crocodile-like pride. The great dragon of the Nile will be treated like a captured beast. Pharaoh may lie in the rivers as if he rules them, but the LORD can hook him, drag him out, and leave him helpless.
I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales means Egypt’s people, allies, soldiers, and dependents would be caught up in Pharaoh’s fall. The fish belong to the same river system as the crocodile. When Pharaoh is dragged out, those attached to him come with him.
I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers means Egypt would be removed from the place of her confidence. The Nile, Egypt’s source of prosperity and pride, would not protect her from the LORD.
I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness is humiliation. A crocodile belongs in the river, not in the wilderness. Egypt would be displaced, exposed, and powerless.
Thou shalt fall upon the open fields means Pharaoh and Egypt would not receive the honored treatment they expected. The proud ruler would be exposed like a carcass in the field.
Thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered points to disgrace, especially in light of Egypt’s great concern for burial, tombs, and memorials. Pharaohs prepared elaborate burial places, but God says this proud ruler would be treated like carrion.
I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven is total humiliation. The one who claimed divine status would become food for beasts and birds. God brings self-made gods down to the dust.
This same kind of judgment language appears elsewhere for the enemies of God.
Jeremiah 7:33, And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
Revelation 19:17, And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Revelation 19:18, That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Pharaoh’s pride would end in shame. The great crocodile would be hooked, dragged out, and left for scavengers.
3. Ezekiel 29:6-7, God will glorify Himself through His judgment of Egypt.
Ezekiel 29:6, And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 29:7, When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.
All the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD gives the purpose of judgment. Egypt would learn that Yahweh rules. Egypt’s gods, Pharaoh’s claims, and the Nile’s power could not stand before the LORD.
Because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel explains one of Egypt’s sins. Judah leaned on Egypt for help against Babylon, but Egypt was like a reed staff: weak, hollow, and dangerous. It could not support weight. Worse, when leaned on, it broke and injured the one who trusted it.
This same image was used by Rabshakeh when he mocked Hezekiah for trusting Egypt.
2 Kings 18:20, Thou sayest, but they are but vain words, I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
2 Kings 18:21, Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Isaiah records the same warning.
Isaiah 36:6, Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder means Egypt’s help did not merely fail; it wounded Judah. False supports harm those who lean on them. Egypt’s broken promise tore the shoulder of the one who grasped it.
When they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand means Judah’s strength collapsed when Egypt failed. The loins are associated with strength and stability. Trusting Egypt left Judah shaken, weakened, and exposed.
The sin was twofold. Judah sinned by trusting Egypt instead of the LORD. Egypt sinned by offering unreliable help and encouraging Judah’s false confidence.
4. Ezekiel 29:8-12, A sword upon Egypt.
Ezekiel 29:8, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee.
Ezekiel 29:9, And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.
Ezekiel 29:10, Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.
Ezekiel 29:11, No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.
Ezekiel 29:12, And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
I will bring a sword upon thee means Egypt’s judgment would come through warfare. The sword would strike the land that boasted in the Nile.
And cut off man and beast out of thee shows the severity of the devastation. Human life and animal life would both be affected. Egypt’s land, economy, and strength would be struck.
The land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste means the great fertile land would be brought low. The Nile had made Egypt fruitful, but God could turn even that famed land into desolation.
They shall know that I am the LORD again gives the purpose. Egypt would know Yahweh through judgment.
Because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it repeats Pharaoh’s proud claim. The LORD repeats the boast so that the reason for judgment is unmistakable. Egypt’s sin was self-deification, pride in natural blessing, and refusal to honor the Creator.
I am against thee, and against thy rivers means the LORD’s judgment is directed not only at Pharaoh, but also at the very thing Egypt trusted. The rivers of Egypt were her lifeblood, but they too were under God’s authority.
I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia describes the range of judgment. This is like saying from one end of Egypt to the other. The land would be struck comprehensively.
No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years gives a specific period of desolation. The prophecy indicates a severe and extended judgment. Scripture does not give a detailed historical narrative of this forty-year period, but the LORD’s word stands whether secular records are complete or incomplete.
I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate means Egypt’s judgment would be part of a wider pattern of devastation in the region.
Her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years repeats the forty-year judgment. Egypt’s proud cities would be brought down.
I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries means Egypt would experience scattering, just as Judah had. The nation that once enslaved Israel and later tempted Israel to trust in her would itself be broken and scattered.
5. Ezekiel 29:13-16, A promise to restore Egypt.
Ezekiel 29:13, Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:
Ezekiel 29:14, And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.
Ezekiel 29:15, It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
Ezekiel 29:16, And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Yet thus saith the Lord GOD introduces mercy after judgment. Egypt would be judged severely, but not erased completely. Unlike Tyre’s final language of being no more in her former greatness, Egypt receives a promise of limited restoration.
At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered means the scattering would not be permanent. God would gather Egyptians again.
This is unusual in Ezekiel, because most restoration promises focus on Israel. Here the LORD shows that He is sovereign over the nations even in mercy.
I will bring again the captivity of Egypt means Egypt would return from her humbled condition.
Will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation points to restoration in the land of their origin or ancestral region. Pathros refers to Upper Egypt.
They shall be there a base kingdom means Egypt would be restored, but humbled. She would not regain her former imperial greatness.
It shall be the basest of the kingdoms repeats the lowly condition. Egypt would continue, but as a diminished power.
Neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations means the judgment would break Egypt’s old pride. The nation that had boasted in the Nile and claimed divine power would be brought low.
For I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations means Egypt’s days of empire would end. Historically, Egypt never returned to her former ancient dominance. She came under successive powers and remained diminished compared to her old greatness.
It shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel gives one reason God humbled Egypt. Israel had repeatedly looked to Egypt for help. By reducing Egypt, God removed a false refuge.
Which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them means Israel’s impulse to look after Egypt exposed their sin. Egypt reminded Israel of misplaced trust. Every time Judah turned toward Egypt, it brought their iniquity to remembrance.
But they shall know that I am the Lord GOD closes this section with revelation. Egypt will know the LORD through humbling, and Israel will know the LORD by seeing the false support removed.
There is also a broader prophetic hope for Egypt in Isaiah, showing that God’s purposes for Egypt include future worship and blessing under His rule.
Isaiah 19:19, In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
Isaiah 19:20, And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
Isaiah 19:21, And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.
Isaiah 19:22, And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
Isaiah 19:23, In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
Isaiah 19:24, In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
Isaiah 19:25, Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
From a literal prophetic view, Egypt’s humbling in Ezekiel does not cancel God’s future mercy. God judges pride, but He is able to restore and bring nations into blessing under His sovereign purpose.
B. Nebuchadnezzar will plunder Egypt.
1. Ezekiel 29:17-18, Nebuchadnezzar’s lack of reward from the plunder of Tyre.
Ezekiel 29:17, And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 29:18, Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:
In the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month gives a much later date than the earlier prophecy in this chapter. This is one of Ezekiel’s latest dated prophecies. The placement here is thematic rather than strictly chronological because it continues the subject of Egypt.
Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus refers to Babylon’s long and difficult siege against Tyre. Ezekiel 26 had already prophesied judgment on Tyre through Nebuchadnezzar and later waves of nations.
Ezekiel 26:7, For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.
Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled describes the exhausting labor of the siege. Their heads were rubbed bald, perhaps by helmets, burdens, or labor, and their shoulders were rubbed raw from carrying materials for siege works. Babylon’s army worked hard.
Yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it means Nebuchadnezzar gained little spoil from Tyre compared to the effort expended. Tyre had either exhausted or removed much of its wealth, leaving Babylon without a fitting reward for the long campaign.
This does not mean the prophecy against Tyre failed. Ezekiel had already shown that Nebuchadnezzar would begin the judgment, while later invaders would complete further aspects of it. The LORD now explains that Babylon’s labor against Tyre would be compensated elsewhere.
2. Ezekiel 29:19-21, God will give Egypt as plunder to Nebuchadnezzar.
Ezekiel 29:19, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
Ezekiel 29:20, I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 29:21, In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon means the LORD would compensate Babylon for its unrewarded labor against Tyre by giving Egypt into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand. The proud crocodile of the Nile would become spoil for Babylon.
He shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey means Egypt’s population, wealth, and goods would be taken. The land that boasted in its river and riches would become plunder.
It shall be the wages for his army is striking. God speaks of paying Nebuchadnezzar’s army wages. Babylon did not serve the LORD in faith, but they served His judicial purpose. God can use even pagan empires as instruments of His judgment.
I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it means Egypt becomes Babylon’s payment.
Because they wrought for me is the theological center of this closing prophecy. Nebuchadnezzar and his army worked for God, though they did not know or honor Him as they should. The LORD is sovereign even over pagan kings and armies.
This agrees with the broader biblical teaching that God raises up and removes kings according to His will.
Daniel 2:20, Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Daniel 2:21, And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Jeremiah 27:6, And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
God called Nebuchadnezzar His servant, not because Nebuchadnezzar was spiritually faithful, but because he was an instrument in God’s hand.
In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth gives a final word of hope. The horn symbolizes strength, vitality, and renewed power. As Egypt is humbled and Babylon receives its wages, Israel will receive encouragement that the LORD’s word is true and His covenant purpose still stands.
Psalm 132 uses similar horn language in connection with David and the LORD’s Anointed.
Psalm 132:17, There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
In Ezekiel 29, the immediate emphasis is likely the strengthening and encouragement of Israel after seeing God judge Egypt. Yet within the broader prophetic picture, Israel’s horn ultimately points forward to the strength God will restore under the Messiah, the Son of David.
I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them means Ezekiel’s prophetic word would be vindicated. The people would increasingly recognize that Ezekiel truly spoke the word of the LORD. His mouth, once restricted in earlier parts of the book, would be opened in confirmed prophetic authority.
Ezekiel 24:27, In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
They shall know that I am the LORD closes the chapter with Ezekiel’s repeated theme. Egypt will know the LORD through judgment. Israel will know the LORD through the collapse of false confidence and the confirmation of His word. Babylon, though pagan, will unknowingly serve the LORD’s purposes.
Ezekiel 29 teaches that Egypt’s pride, false strength, and broken promises could not stand before God. Pharaoh boasted like a crocodile in the Nile, saying the river was his and that he had made it. The LORD answered by putting hooks in his jaws and dragging him from the river. Egypt had been a reed staff to Israel, promising support but breaking and wounding those who leaned on her. Therefore God would bring a sword, desolation, scattering, and humbling upon Egypt. Yet He would also restore Egypt as a lowly kingdom, so Israel would no longer trust in her. Finally, because Nebuchadnezzar’s long labor against Tyre yielded little spoil, God would give Egypt to Babylon as wages. The chapter reveals the LORD as sovereign over Pharaoh, Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Israel, and history itself.
