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Ezekiel 29

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1In 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, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “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 thus says the Lord Yahweh: “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 thus says the Lord Yahweh: “At the end of forty years will I 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. They will be a lowly kingdom, there. 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 thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘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 (public domain)

"I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the midst of his streams, that says, 'My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.'"

Ezekiel 29:3

Summary

Ezekiel 29 presents a prophecy against Egypt, foretelling its downfall and humiliation by the hand of God. This oracle, delivered on January 7, 587 BC, conveys a message of divine judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt, symbolizing Pharaoh as a great dragon in the Nile who arrogantly claims to have created the river. God declares that Pharaoh will be dragged from the river with hooks and left to the wilderness with all the fish of the river clinging to his scales. This signifies God's power over nations and humbles Pharaoh's pride. The prophecy warns of Egypt's desolation for forty years, scattering its inhabitants among other nations, yet promises eventual restoration. However, Egypt will never rise to its former glory, serving instead as a testament to God's judgment and the futility of earthly pride.

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Chapter outline

How Ezekiel 29 unfolds

  1. Ezekiel 29:1–2 Introduction of the Prophecy

    Yahweh's word comes to Ezekiel, instructing him to prophesy against Pharaoh and Egypt.

  2. Ezekiel 29:3–5 Divine Accusation

    God declares His opposition to Pharaoh, likening him to a great monster and announcing his downfall.

  3. Ezekiel 29:6–7 Egypt's Role and Deception

    The prophecy explains how Egypt has failed Israel, leading to their own judgment.

  4. Ezekiel 29:8–12 Judgment and Desolation

    God foretells a sword against Egypt, resulting in desolation and a forty-year wasteland.

  5. Ezekiel 29:13–15 Promise of Restoration

    After forty years, God promises to gather the Egyptians and restore them, though they will remain lowly.

  6. Ezekiel 29:16–21 The Horn for Israel

    The prophecy concludes with the promise of hope for Israel, signifying God's sovereignty and a new beginning.

Key verses

  • Ezekiel 29:3This verse encapsulates the chapter's theme of divine opposition to pride and the consequences that follow.

Main themes in Ezekiel 29

Divine Judgment

Divine judgment is pronounced against Pharaoh and Egypt, especially in verses 3-5. The chapter elaborates on God's determination to humiliate Egypt due to its arrogance and lack of support for Israel, showcasing the serious implications of their pride. This judgment not only serves as a warning to Egypt but also reinforces God's ultimate authority over all nations and their rulers, reminding them of their accountability to Him.

Pride and Humility

Pharaoh's pride is prominently featured in verse 3, where he arrogantly claims ownership of the Nile River. The chapter unfolds the consequences of such hubris, as God proclaims that Pharaoh will face a significant fall from power and subsequent humiliation. This theme illustrates the futility of human pride in the face of divine authority, highlighting the inevitable outcome when one elevates themselves above God's rightful position.

Sovereignty of God

God's sovereignty is a central focus throughout Ezekiel 29, particularly evident in verses 19-20, where He asserts His dominion over kingdoms. The prophecy vividly illustrates God's capacity to orchestrate historical events according to His divine plan, including the rise and fall of nations. This theme reaffirms that no earthly power can withstand His will, emphasizing that all rulers ultimately operate under God's sovereign authority.

Restoration and Hope

The theme of restoration is introduced in verses 13-14, where God promises a future for Egypt following their judgment. Though Egypt will remain diminished in stature, the prophecy of their eventual gathering signifies a glimmer of hope and renewal. This aspect of the chapter reflects God's overarching plan for reconciliation, suggesting that even amid divine judgment, there remains the possibility for restoration and future blessings.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Ezekiel 29

Study questions

Questions for studying Ezekiel 29

  1. What does God compare Pharaoh to in this chapter?
  2. How does Pharaoh's pride manifest according to the text?
  3. What is the significance of the forty years of desolation?
  4. How does this prophecy affect the future of Egypt?
  5. What does the 'horn' symbolize for the house of Israel?
  6. How does the chapter illustrate the relationship between God and nations?
  7. What role does pride play in Egypt's judgment?

Ezekiel 29: frequently asked questions

What is Ezekiel 29 about?+
Ezekiel 29 presents a prophecy against Egypt, foretelling its downfall and humiliation by the hand of God. This oracle, delivered on January 7, 587 BC, conveys a message of divine judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt, symbolizing Pharaoh as a great dragon in the Nile who arrogantly claims to have created the river. God declares that Pharaoh will be dragged from the river with hooks and left to the wilderness with all the fish of the river clinging to his scales. This signifies God's power over nations and humbles Pharaoh's pride. The prophecy warns of Egypt's desolation for forty years, scattering its inhabitants among other nations, yet promises eventual restoration. However, Egypt will never rise to its former glory, serving instead as a testament to God's judgment and the futility of earthly pride.
What is the key verse in Ezekiel 29?+
Ezekiel 29:3: "Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “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.’"
What are the main themes of Ezekiel 29?+
The main themes of Ezekiel 29 are Divine Judgment, Pride and Humility, Sovereignty of God, Restoration and Hope.

Related chapters

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Study Notes