Ezekiel 17:15

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

But he rebelled {H4775} against him in sending {H7971} his ambassadors {H4397} into Egypt {H4714}, that they might give {H5414} him horses {H5483} and much {H7227} people {H5971}. Shall he prosper {H6743}? shall he escape {H4422} that doeth {H6213} such things? or shall he break {H6565} the covenant {H1285}, and be delivered {H4422}?

But this man rebelled and sent representatives to Egypt, in order to obtain horses and a sizeable army. Can he succeed? Can someone who does such things escape punishment? Can he break the covenant and still escape punishment?

But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

Ezekiel 17:15 describes King Zedekiah's act of rebellion against Babylon and his broken covenant, setting the stage for Judah's ultimate downfall. This verse is part of Ezekiel's elaborate parable of the two eagles and the vine (Ezekiel 17:1-10), which illustrates the political treachery of Jerusalem's last king.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel, exiled in Babylon, delivered this message to the Jewish captives, explaining the reasons for their present suffering and the impending destruction of Jerusalem. The "great eagle" in the parable represents Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, who had besieged Jerusalem, deported King Jehoiachin, and installed Zedekiah as a vassal king. Zedekiah, the "tender one" or "seed" planted by Nebuchadnezzar, had sworn a solemn oath of allegiance to Babylon. However, as recounted in this verse, Zedekiah sought to break free from Babylonian control by forming a military alliance with Egypt, a powerful regional rival known for its cavalry ("horses and much people"). This move was a direct violation of his sworn covenant, made in the presence of God.

Key Themes

  • Rebellion and Broken Covenants: The primary theme is Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, which was also a rebellion against the divine order established by God through the Babylonian conquest. His oath was not just to a human king but was considered a sacred covenant before God. The rhetorical questions "Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?" emphasize the certain judgment for such treachery. God takes covenant-breaking seriously, as further elaborated in Ezekiel 17:19.
  • Reliance on Human Strength vs. Divine Trust: Zedekiah's decision to send ambassadors to Egypt for military aid, specifically "horses and much people," demonstrates a reliance on worldly power and alliances rather than trusting in the Lord for deliverance or guidance. This mirrors a recurring theme in Israel's history, where leaders often looked to foreign nations instead of God for security (Isaiah 31:1).
  • Divine Justice and Inevitable Judgment: The rhetorical questions in the verse underscore the certainty of divine judgment against Zedekiah and Judah. God would not allow such blatant disregard for sacred oaths and reliance on pagan powers to go unpunished. The consequence of breaking this covenant was the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the further exile of its people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" (bĕrîth) carries significant weight, implying a solemn agreement, often with binding obligations and consequences for violation. In this context, it highlights the gravity of Zedekiah's actions, as his oath to Nebuchadnezzar was viewed as a sacred vow.

Practical Application

The lessons from Ezekiel 17:15 resonate today:

  • Integrity and Keeping Promises: The verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity and keeping one's word, whether in personal commitments, business dealings, or spiritual vows. Breaking promises, especially those made before God, carries serious implications.
  • Trusting God Over Worldly Solutions: It challenges believers to examine where they place their trust. Do we rely on our own strength, human connections, or worldly resources, or do we seek God's wisdom and provision? True security is found in aligning with God's will and trusting in His sovereignty, rather than forming desperate alliances that contradict His principles.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The narrative illustrates that rebellion against God's established order, even through seemingly political maneuvers, leads to inevitable consequences. While God is merciful, His justice is also certain.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 24:20

    For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 34:3

    And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 38:18

    But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:13

    And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 17:7

    There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

  • Deuteronomy 17:16

    But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

  • Jeremiah 52:3

    For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

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