Ezekiel 17:17

Neither shall Pharaoh with [his] mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:

Neither shall Pharaoh {H6547} with his mighty {H1419} army {H2428} and great {H7227} company {H6951} make {H6213} for him in the war {H4421}, by casting up {H8210} mounts {H5550}, and building {H1129} forts {H1785}, to cut off {H3772} many {H7227} persons {H5315}:

Pharaoh with his mighty army and numerous troops will give him no help in the war, when they raise siege-works and build fortified towers to destroy many people;

Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives.

Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company help him in the war, when they cast up mounds and build forts, to cut off many persons.

Ezekiel 17:17 is a pivotal verse within a complex prophetic parable, illustrating God's judgment against King Zedekiah of Judah for his rebellion against Babylon and his reliance on Egypt. This verse specifically highlights the futility of human alliances when they go against God's decreed will.

Context of Ezekiel 17:17

The prophet Ezekiel delivers this message during the Babylonian exile, around 593-592 BC. Chapter 17 opens with the "parable of the two eagles and the vine" (Ezekiel 17:1-10). The first great eagle represents King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who had taken King Jehoiachin and the leading citizens of Jerusalem into exile. He then installed Zedekiah as king in Jerusalem, making him swear an oath of loyalty (represented by the vine planted in good soil). However, Zedekiah rebels against Babylon and seeks military aid from Egypt (represented by the second great eagle), hoping to escape Babylonian control. Verse 17 directly addresses this desperate, ill-advised alliance, stating that even Pharaoh, with his formidable military, would be powerless to assist Jerusalem against the Babylonian siege tactics of "casting up mounts, and building forts."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Unwavering Will: This verse powerfully underscores that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human political maneuvering or military might. Despite Zedekiah's hopes, God had already determined the outcome for Jerusalem due to its idolatry and rebellion.
  • Futility of Earthly Alliances: The commentary emphasizes the danger of trusting in human strength and foreign powers rather than relying on the Lord. Zedekiah's trust in Egypt proved to be a false hope, leading to greater devastation. This echoes warnings found elsewhere in scripture about trusting in chariots and horses rather than the Lord (Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 31:1-3).
  • Consequences of Covenant Breaking: Zedekiah had sworn an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, an oath that, from a biblical perspective, was seen as binding before God. His rebellion was not just against Babylon but against the covenant he had made, leading to divine judgment (Ezekiel 17:15-16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "casting up mounts, and building forts" refers to the common siege warfare tactics of the ancient world. Besieging armies would construct ramps (mounts) to reach the city walls and erect siege towers or other fortifications (forts) to protect their troops and facilitate the assault. The verse emphasizes that even against such determined and effective military action by Babylon, Pharaoh's "mighty army and great company" would be utterly useless.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 17:17 serves as a timeless reminder that true security and deliverance come from God, not from human strength, political schemes, or worldly alliances. For believers today, it encourages a posture of complete trust in God's provision and sovereignty, even when faced with overwhelming challenges. It warns against placing ultimate hope in financial security, political systems, or influential friends instead of the one true God. Just as Pharaoh could not save Judah, so too are many modern "saviors" insufficient when God's will is being enacted. Our ultimate reliance must be on the Lord, who is faithful to His promises and sovereign over all circumstances.

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.

  • Jeremiah 37:7

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.

  • Ezekiel 4:2

    And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set [battering] rams against it round about.

  • Isaiah 36:6

    Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.

  • Ezekiel 29:6

    And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I [am] the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 29:7

    When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.

  • Jeremiah 37:5

    Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 33:5

    They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but [it is] to fill them with the dead bodies of men, whom I have slain in mine anger and in my fury, and for all whose wickedness I have hid my face from this city.

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