Ezekiel Chapter 30 — Judgment on Egypt and Her Allies
Ezekiel prophesies the coming destruction of Egypt and its allies by the hand of the king of Babylon.
1The LORD’s word came again to me, saying,
2“Son of man, prophesy, and say, ‘The Lord GOD says:
3For the day is near,
4A sword will come on Egypt,
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:
7“They will be desolate in the middle of the countries that are desolate.
8They will know that I am the LORD
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:
11He and his people with him,
12I will make the rivers dry,
13“ ‘The Lord GOD says:
14I will make Pathros desolate,
15I will pour my wrath on Sin,
16I will set a fire in Egypt
17The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth will fall by the sword.
18At Tehaphnehes also the day will withdraw itself,
19Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt.
20In 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 may become strong to hold the sword.
22Therefore 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.
23I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
24I 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.
25I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon, but 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.
26I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ezekiel 30:3
“For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of the nations.”
This verse establishes the prophetic timing and the universal scope of the coming judgment.
Ezekiel 30:25
“I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall down.”
It illustrates God's control over historical events and the shifting power between empires.
Chapter Summary
Ezekiel Chapter 30 contains two distinct prophecies concerning the judgment of Egypt. The first part describes a coming day of clouds and gloom that will bring terror and destruction to Egypt and its many allies, including Ethiopia, Put, and Lud. God warns that the wealth and pride of Egypt will be dismantled, and its major cities—such as No, Sin, and Tehaphnehes—will face fire and the sword. The second part of the chapter uses a vivid metaphor regarding the arms of the kings. God declares that He has broken the arm of Pharaoh, rendering him unable to wield a sword. In contrast, He will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, using him as an instrument of divine judgment. This transition of power is intended to lead all nations to recognize that He is the LORD, as the Egyptians are scattered among the nations and their land is made desolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text mentions several allies that will fall alongside Egypt, including Ethiopia, Put, Lud, Cub, and various mixed peoples. These nations were expected to suffer the same judgment and desolation as Egypt.
The breaking of Pharaoh's arms represents the loss of military and political power. It signifies that Egypt will no longer be able to defend itself or effectively use its sword against its enemies.
The chapter identifies the king of Babylon as the ruler God will strengthen. God places His sword in the hand of the Babylonian king to execute the foretold judgments against the land of Egypt.
Study Note
The mention of specific Egyptian cities like Sin, No, and Pibeseth highlights the thorough geographical scope of the predicted desolation.
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