Ezekiel Chapter 30
Ezekiel 30
A Fire in Egypt
Ezekiel 30 continues the prophecies against Egypt. The LORD announces that Egypt’s day of judgment is near, calling it a day of the LORD. Egypt’s pride, allies, idols, cities, and Pharaoh himself will all be brought low. The judgment will not only strike Egypt, but also the nations and peoples tied to her strength. The chapter presents two major pictures: first, a fire in Egypt, spreading through her cities and consuming her helpers; second, Pharaoh’s broken arms, showing that Egypt will no longer have the strength to hold a sword or rescue Judah from Babylon. God will weaken Pharaoh, strengthen the arms of Nebuchadnezzar, and put His own sword into Babylon’s hand. The uploaded notes emphasize Egypt’s coming day of the LORD, the destruction of her helpers and idols, the humiliation of her cities, and the breaking of Pharaoh’s military power.
A. The day of the LORD against Egypt.
1. Ezekiel 30:1-4, Woe is the day of the LORD for Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:1, The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 30:2, Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Woe worth the day!
Ezekiel 30:3, For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.
Ezekiel 30:4, And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
The word of the LORD came again unto me continues the series of prophecies against Egypt. This was not Ezekiel’s political opinion against a foreign power. It was the word of the LORD, the God who rules over Judah, Babylon, Egypt, and all nations.
Son of man, prophesy and say means Ezekiel must speak publicly and authoritatively. Egypt was ancient, powerful, and proud, but the exiled prophet of Judah could speak against her because he spoke for the God of the whole earth.
Howl ye, Woe worth the day! calls for lamentation before the judgment arrives. The day coming upon Egypt would be a day of woe, grief, and national collapse. The proud nation that others looked to for strength would have to howl under the judgment of God.
For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near means Egypt’s appointed time of reckoning was approaching. In this context, the day of the LORD refers to a historical day of divine intervention and judgment against Egypt. These lesser historical days of the LORD also point forward to the final day of the LORD, when God will judge all wickedness and establish His righteous rule.
The prophets often use the day of the LORD for a decisive intervention of God in judgment.
Joel 1:15, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Joel 2:1, Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
Zephaniah 1:14, The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD, the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
A cloudy day pictures darkness, storm, and dread. Egypt had once seen Israel led out by the bright pillar of cloud, but now Egypt herself would come under a dark cloud of judgment.
Exodus 13:21, And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, to go by day and night:
It shall be the time of the heathen means this judgment concerns the nations. Egypt’s fall will be part of God’s wider dealings with the Gentile powers. Egypt had acted as if she were secure and permanent, but the LORD appoints times for nations.
The sword shall come upon Egypt means judgment will come through warfare. Egypt will not be humbled only by internal weakness, but by the sword.
Great pain shall be in Ethiopia shows that Egypt’s judgment will affect her allies and neighboring powers, especially Ethiopia or Cush to the south. Egypt’s sphere of influence will tremble with her.
When the slain shall fall in Egypt means the judgment will be bloody and public. The sword will leave dead in the land.
They shall take away her multitude may refer to Egypt’s population, wealth, goods, and gathered strength being carried off. Egypt’s abundance will become spoil.
Her foundations shall be broken down means the structures supporting Egypt’s national life will be shaken: military power, religious confidence, cities, wealth, alliances, and pride. The judgment will not be superficial. God will strike at Egypt’s foundations.
2. Ezekiel 30:5-9, Judgment upon the regions and peoples of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:5, Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
Ezekiel 30:6, Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 30:7, And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.
Ezekiel 30:8, And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed.
Ezekiel 30:9, In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.
Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia shows that the judgment on Egypt will reach beyond Egypt proper. Cush, Put, Lud, and other associated peoples were connected to Egypt’s military and political strength. When Egypt falls, those who stood with her will also fall.
All the mingled people likely refers to foreign mercenaries and mixed peoples serving in Egypt’s armies or attached to her empire. Egypt had relied on hired forces and allied peoples, but they too would be swept into judgment.
The men of the land that is in league means Egypt’s allies will share Egypt’s fate. Those who bind themselves to a doomed power cannot escape the consequences.
They also that uphold Egypt shall fall makes the principle clear. Egypt’s supports will collapse. The powers that held her up, defended her, supplied her, or trusted in her will fall with her.
The pride of her power shall come down identifies the heart of the judgment. Egypt’s power had become a matter of pride. The LORD will bring that pride down. God not only judges sin in the weak; He also humbles proud strength.
From the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword describes judgment across Egypt’s extent. Syene was in the south, near the border of Cush. The idea is comprehensive judgment from one end of Egypt to the other.
They shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate means Egypt will not be alone in devastation. She will be counted among the lands laid waste by God’s judgment through Babylon.
Her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted means Egypt’s famous and ancient cities will be reduced like other ruined cities. Antiquity and reputation will not protect them.
They shall know that I am the LORD is the repeated purpose. Egypt and her allies will know Yahweh through judgment.
When I have set a fire in Egypt uses fire as a figure of war, devastation, and consuming judgment. The fire will not be lit by accident. The LORD Himself says He sets it.
When all her helpers shall be destroyed means Egypt’s alliances will fail. Those who looked strong enough to help Egypt will be destroyed. Those who looked to Egypt for help will also learn that Egypt cannot save.
In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships pictures news of judgment traveling rapidly by river and sea. The messengers are said to go from the LORD because the news they carry is part of His judgment.
To make the careless Ethiopians afraid means Cush or Ethiopia, secure and unconcerned, will be terrified when news of Egypt’s fall reaches them. Their confidence will vanish.
Great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt means they will feel anguish similar to Egypt’s anguish. Egypt’s judgment will send shockwaves into allied lands.
For, lo, it cometh declares certainty. The judgment is not theoretical. It is coming.
3. Ezekiel 30:10-12, Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:10, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
Ezekiel 30:11, He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.
Ezekiel 30:12, And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.
I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease means Egypt’s population, armies, crowds, and national abundance will be reduced. The multitude that made Egypt look powerful will be cut down.
By the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon identifies the instrument of judgment. The LORD will use the same Babylonian king who destroyed Jerusalem and labored against Tyre. Nebuchadnezzar is not acting outside God’s sovereignty. He is the instrument God uses.
Earlier Ezekiel said Egypt would be given to Nebuchadnezzar as wages.
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.
He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations describes Babylon’s military power. They were feared, brutal, and effective. God would bring them against Egypt.
Shall be brought to destroy the land shows divine direction. Babylon comes because God brings them.
They shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain repeats the sword judgment. Egypt’s land will be filled with the dead.
I will make the rivers dry strikes at Egypt’s central confidence. Egypt depended on the Nile and its branches, canals, and waterways. Whether through literal disruption, military devastation, failed irrigation, or prophetic imagery, the point is clear: Egypt’s life-source is under God’s control.
Sell the land into the hand of the wicked means the LORD will hand Egypt over to ruthless conquerors. The Babylonians are called wicked, yet God still uses them as instruments. God’s use of a nation does not mean He approves of that nation’s sin.
I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers means foreigners will devastate Egypt. The proud land will be humbled by outsiders.
I the LORD have spoken it gives final authority. Behind Babylon’s hand stands the LORD’s word. What He speaks will come to pass.
4. Ezekiel 30:13-19, Judgment on the regions and cities of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:13, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:14, And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.
Ezekiel 30:15, And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No.
Ezekiel 30:16, And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.
Ezekiel 30:17, The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:18, At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:19, Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
I will also destroy the idols shows that Egypt’s judgment will be religious as well as political and military. Egypt was full of gods and images, but the LORD will expose them as powerless. This recalls the Exodus, when God judged the gods of Egypt through the plagues.
Exodus 12:12, For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both-man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Numbers 33:4, For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.
I will cause their images to cease out of Noph means the idols and images of Memphis, one of Egypt’s great ancient centers, would be brought down. A city famous for religion and power would lose its images.
There shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt means Egypt’s native independent authority would be broken. Egypt would not rule as before.
I will put a fear in the land of Egypt means the people who had trusted in Pharaoh, idols, rivers, cities, and armies would be filled with terror before the LORD’s judgment.
I will make Pathros desolate refers to Upper Egypt. The judgment reaches the south.
Will set fire in Zoan refers to another major Egyptian city. Fire again pictures war and devastation.
Will execute judgments in No refers to Thebes, a great city of Egypt. The LORD’s judgment will reach even Egypt’s most honored places.
I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt likely refers to Pelusium, a key fortress city in the northeastern delta. It was strategically important as a gateway into Egypt. The strength of Egypt would receive the fury of God.
I will cut off the multitude of No means Thebes’ population and strength would be reduced.
I will set fire in Egypt repeats the consuming nature of the judgment. This is a fire not merely in one city, but throughout Egypt.
Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder means fortress and capital alike will suffer. Egypt’s strong points and great cities will be split open and afflicted.
Noph shall have distresses daily means Memphis will live under continual trouble. The city of idols will not find relief.
The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword means the military strength and future generation of these cities will be cut down. Aven is often associated with On or Heliopolis, a major center of sun worship. Pibeseth is associated with Bubastis, another Egyptian religious center.
These cities shall go into captivity means the inhabitants will be carried away, not merely defeated locally.
At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened refers to a city in the eastern Nile Delta where some Jews later fled after Jerusalem’s fall. Jeremiah was taken there by the remnant who disobeyed God’s warning not to go to Egypt.
Jeremiah 43:7, So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they even to Tahpanhes.
Jeremiah 43:8, Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,
Jeremiah 43:9, Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh’s house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
Jeremiah 43:10, And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
When I shall break there the yokes of Egypt means Egypt’s oppressive power and political control will be broken. The yoke she placed on others and the yoke that held her system together will be shattered.
The pomp of her strength shall cease in her means Egypt’s pride, grandeur, and display of power will end.
As for her, a cloud shall cover her repeats the image of dark judgment from verse 3. Egypt will be covered not with the glory-cloud of God’s favor, but with the dark cloud of judgment.
Her daughters shall go into captivity means the surrounding towns and dependent settlements will be carried away with the major cities.
Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt summarizes the city-by-city judgment.
They shall know that I am the LORD gives the purpose again. Egypt would learn what Pharaoh refused to confess in Moses’ day: the LORD is God.
Exodus 5:2, And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know-not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Egypt would know Him by judgment because she refused to know Him by submission.
B. Pharaoh’s broken arms.
1. Ezekiel 30:20-21, Yahweh breaks the arm of Pharaoh.
Ezekiel 30:20, And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Ezekiel 30:21, Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month gives another specific date. This prophecy came only months before Jerusalem fell. At that time, many in Judah still looked toward Egypt for help. The LORD now says Egypt’s arm is already broken.
I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt uses the image of military strength. The arm is the power to fight, wield a sword, and defend. Pharaoh’s arm was broken, meaning Egypt’s military ability was crippled.
Egypt had temporarily moved out against Babylon and caused a pause in the siege of Jerusalem, but the help was unreliable and temporary.
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 37:7, 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.
It shall not be bound up to be healed means Egypt’s broken strength will not recover. There will be no successful treatment, no bandage, no splint, and no restoration of strength.
To put a roller to bind it refers to bandaging the injury. God says no binding will heal Pharaoh’s arm.
To make it strong to hold the sword means Egypt will not be able to fight effectively. Judah’s hoped-for defender cannot even hold a sword. Trusting Egypt is trusting a crippled arm.
2. Ezekiel 30:22-23, Yahweh breaks both arms of Pharaoh.
Ezekiel 30:22, Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
Ezekiel 30:23, And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt repeats the central judgment. The LORD Himself opposes Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s problem is not merely Babylon’s ambition. Pharaoh’s problem is God’s opposition.
Will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken intensifies the image. One arm had already been broken. Now God says both arms will be broken, the previously broken arm and the remaining strong one. Egypt will be completely helpless.
I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand means Pharaoh will be disarmed. The ruler who claimed power and divine-like status will be unable to hold his weapon. Egypt cannot defend herself, and she certainly cannot save Judah.
I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries repeats the scattering judgment from Ezekiel 29. Egypt will suffer conquest, displacement, and humiliation.
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.
3. Ezekiel 30:24-26, Egypt and Babylon.
Ezekiel 30:24, And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
Ezekiel 30:25, But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:26, And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon means God will give power to Nebuchadnezzar. The contrast is deliberate. Pharaoh’s arms are broken; Babylon’s arms are strengthened. Egypt weakens because God weakens her. Babylon advances because God strengthens him.
And put my sword in his hand is the theological key. Babylon’s sword is God’s sword in this judgment. Nebuchadnezzar may not have understood himself as serving the LORD, but the LORD used him as an instrument.
God had already called Nebuchadnezzar His servant through Jeremiah.
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 rules over kings and kingdoms.
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:
But I will break Pharaoh’s arms repeats Egypt’s helplessness. Pharaoh will not stand against Babylon because the LORD has broken his strength.
He shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man means Pharaoh will be reduced to agony. The proud crocodile of the Nile becomes like a mortally wounded man groaning before the conqueror.
The arms of Pharaoh shall fall down means Egypt’s power collapses completely. The arms that should hold the sword hang useless.
They shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon means the nations will recognize the LORD’s sovereignty through the outcome. Babylon’s victory over Egypt will not merely show Babylon’s strength. It will reveal the God who gave Babylon the sword.
He shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt means Babylon’s God-given sword will reach across Egypt.
I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries closes the judgment with the repeated promise of scattering.
They shall know that I am the LORD is the final purpose. Egypt’s cities, idols, allies, rivers, Pharaoh, armies, and pride will all be brought low so that Egypt, Judah, Babylon, and the nations will know that Yahweh alone is the LORD.
Ezekiel 30 teaches that Egypt’s ancient greatness could not protect her from the day of the LORD. The sword would come, allies would fall, cities would burn, idols would cease, and Pharaoh’s arms would be broken. Judah’s hope in Egypt was foolish because Egypt herself was under judgment. God would weaken Pharaoh and strengthen Nebuchadnezzar, putting His own sword in Babylon’s hand. The chapter shows that the LORD governs both the fall of proud powers and the rise of the instruments He uses. Egypt’s day would come, not because Babylon was supreme, but because the LORD had spoken.
