Ezekiel29

Ezekiel 29 delivers a prophecy against Pharaoh and Egypt, likening Pharaoh to a great dragon boasting of his power over the Nile. The Lord declares He will bring judgment upon Egypt, making it desolate for forty years and scattering its people, because they were an unreliable "staff of reed" to Israel. After this period, Egypt will be restored as a "base kingdom," never again to exalt itself. Furthermore, Egypt is promised as spoil to Nebuchadrezzar for his unrewarded service against Tyrus, and Israel's strength will be renewed.
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Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt (Dated)

1
In the tenth year, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ​
2
“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.
3
Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’ ​
4
But I will put hooks in your jaws and cause the fish of your streams to cling to your scales. I will haul you up out of your rivers, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales. ​
5
I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air.
6
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. ​
7
When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched. ​

The Desolation of Egypt

8
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will bring a sword against you and cut off from you man and beast.
9
The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’
10
therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush. ​
11
No foot of man or beast will pass through, and it will be uninhabited for forty years. ​
12
I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and her cities will lie desolate for forty years among the ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries. ​

Egypt's Limited Restoration

13
For this is what the Lord GOD says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations to which they were scattered. ​
14
I will restore Egypt from captivity and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin. There they will be a lowly kingdom. ​
15
Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the nations. For I will diminish Egypt so that it will never again rule over the nations. ​
16
Egypt will never again be an object of trust for the house of Israel, but will remind them of their iniquity in turning to the Egyptians. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.” ​

Egypt Given as Wages to Babylon

17
In the twenty-seventh year, on the first day of the first month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ​
18
“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to labor strenuously against Tyre. Every head was made bald and every shoulder made raw. But he and his army received no wages from Tyre for the labor they expended on it. ​
19
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. ​
20
I have given him the land of Egypt as the reward for his labor, because it was done for Me, declares the Lord GOD. ​
21
In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” ​

Study Notes for Ezekiel 29

Verse 1

This precise dating (January 587 BCE) places this oracle shortly before Jerusalem’s final siege and fall, addressing the geopolitical situation where Judah still looked to Egypt for military salvation.

Verse 3

Pharaoh is compared to the 'great dragon' (*tannin*), a powerful metaphor for the massive Nile crocodile, symbolizing Egypt’s destructive power and arrogance. His claim, 'My river is mine own,' reflects the ultimate hubris of claiming ownership over the source of life (the Nile), which belongs to God alone.

Verse 4

The imagery of putting 'hooks in thy jaws' demonstrates God’s absolute sovereignty over the most powerful earthly ruler, treating Pharaoh like a wild beast to be subdued and dragged out of his domain.

Verse 6

Egypt’s judgment is linked directly to its failure as an ally to Israel. The phrase 'staff of reed' became a famous biblical metaphor for unreliability, as a reed provides no true support and shatters when leaned upon.

Verse 7

This verse graphically describes the physical injury Israel suffered by relying on Egypt: when they gripped the reed (Egypt) for support, it broke, wounding them instead.

Verse 10

The geographical marker 'from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia' encompasses the entire length of Egypt, indicating a judgment that will be complete and universal across the land.

Verse 11

The severity of the judgment is emphasized by a complete cessation of life and movement, rendering the land uninhabitable for a set period.

Verse 12

The 'forty years' represents a significant biblical period of judgment or testing (cf. the wilderness wandering). This duration suggests a comprehensive purging of the nation’s power and pride.

Verse 13

Unlike prophecies against Tyre or Ammon, Egypt is promised a future restoration, though its power will be permanently diminished, highlighting God’s control over all nations.

Verse 14

Pathros refers to Upper Egypt (southern region). The return to this area suggests a diminished, less strategically significant kingdom.

Verse 15

Egypt will be reduced to the 'basest of the kingdoms.' This ensures that Egypt can never again become a dominant world power or a source of temptation for Israel to rely on human strength rather than God.

Verse 16

The ultimate purpose of this judgment is theological: to remove Israel’s false confidence and compel both nations to recognize the sovereign power of Yahweh.

Verse 17

This second oracle is dated April 571 BCE, making it the latest dated prophecy in the entire book of Ezekiel. It was given after Nebuchadnezzar had concluded his long siege of Tyre.

Verse 18

Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Tyre (c. 586–573 BCE) was notoriously long and costly. The lack of 'wages' suggests the inhabitants escaped by sea before the final capture, denying the Babylonian army the promised plunder.

Verse 19

God promises Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as compensation for his labor against Tyre. This shows God using the geopolitical ambitions of pagan kings to execute His divine plan and maintain justice.

Verse 20

The Babylonians 'wrought for me,' meaning they were unwittingly instruments of divine judgment against God’s enemies, even though they did not know the God of Israel.

Verse 21

The downfall of Egypt (an enemy of God's people) is immediately linked to the future restoration of Israel. The 'horn' symbolizes renewed strength and royal power, pointing toward the eventual reestablishment of the Davidic line (messianic hope).

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