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.

Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt (Dated)

1
In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the LORD’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.
3
Speak and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the midst of his rivers, that has said, ‘My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.’ ​
4
I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales; and I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales. ​
5
I’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, nor 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 the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. ​
7
When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke, and paralyzed all of their thighs.” ​

The Desolation of Egypt

8
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I will bring a sword on you, and will cut off man and animal from you.
9
The land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD. Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it;’
10
therefore, behold, I am against you, and against your rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the tower of Seveneh even to the border of Ethiopia. ​
11
No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of animal shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years. ​
12
I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be a desolation forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.” ​

Egypt's Limited Restoration

13
For thus says the Lord GOD: “At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered; ​
14
and I will bring back the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth; and they shall be there a base kingdom. ​
15
It shall be the base of the kingdoms; neither shall it any more lift itself up above the nations: and I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. ​
16
It shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them: and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.”’” ​

Egypt Given as Wages to Babylon

17
It came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the LORD’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 had he no wages, nor his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it. ​
19
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off her multitude, and take her plunder, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. ​
20
I have given him the land of Egypt as his recompense for which he served, because they worked for me, says the Lord GOD. ​
21
In that day will I cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will give you the opening of the mouth in their midst; and they shall 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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