Ezekiel 29:16

KJV

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth [their] iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall be no more the confidence {H4009} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, which bringeth {H2142} their iniquity {H5771} to remembrance {H2142}, when they shall look {H6437} after {H310} them: but they shall know {H3045} that I am the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moreover, they will no longer be a source of confidence for Isra'el to turn to; rather, it will only bring to mind their guilt in having turned to them before. Then they will know that I am Adonai ELOHIM.'"

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to remembrance, when they turn to look after them: and they shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 29:16 delivers a potent prophecy against Egypt, declaring that its future diminished state will serve as a stark reminder of Israel's past iniquity—their misplaced trust in human alliances rather than in the Lord. This divine judgment on Egypt is not merely punitive but redemptive, designed to strip away Israel's false confidence and ultimately lead them to a profound and undeniable recognition of God's exclusive sovereignty and power, ensuring they truly "know that I am the Lord GOD."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations, specifically targeting Egypt, spanning from [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Further Prophecies Against Pharaoh"). These prophecies immediately follow a lengthy section of judgments against Judah and Jerusalem, culminating in the fall of the city in [Ezekiel 24](/ezekiel/24 "Ezekiel 24 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). The oracles against the nations serve to demonstrate God's universal sovereignty, proving that He is not merely the God of Israel but the Lord of all creation and history. Egypt, as a perennial source of temptation for Israel to seek human alliances, is singled out for a particularly severe and detailed judgment, emphasizing God's intention to dismantle every false security.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies in [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") were delivered during the Babylonian exile (circa 587-571 BC), a period of immense national crisis for Judah. Historically, Judah had a recurring pattern of seeking political and military alliances with powerful regional empires, particularly Egypt, as a buffer against Mesopotamian powers like Assyria and Babylon. This reliance on Egypt, despite repeated prophetic warnings (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children") and [Jeremiah 37:5-10](/jeremiah/37-5 "Jeremiah 37:5-10 - Pharaoh's Army Withdraws")), constituted a profound spiritual betrayal—a rejection of God's covenant faithfulness and His call for exclusive trust. Egypt's reputation as a "broken reed" (cf. [Isaiah 36:6](/isaiah/36-6 "Isaiah 36:6 - Rabshakeh's Taunt")) was about to be definitively exposed by God's judgment.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 29:16](/ezekiel/29-16 "Ezekiel 29:16 - Egypt No More a Confidence") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ezekiel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Restoration**, where God's severe judgments on nations and Israel alike are ultimately purposed for His glory and for the restoration of His people. Secondly, it highlights **Israel's Idolatry and Misplaced Trust**, specifically their spiritual prostitution in seeking alliances with pagan nations rather than relying on their covenant God. This act of seeking human "confidence" is equated with "iniquity" and a "remembrance" of their unfaithfulness. Finally, and most crucially, the verse powerfully reinforces the book's signature theme: **The Knowledge of God's Sovereignty**. The repeated refrain "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" (e.g., [Ezekiel 6:7](/ezekiel/6-7 "Ezekiel 6:7 - They Shall Know I Am the Lord")) serves as the ultimate purpose of all divine actions, whether in judgment or salvation, ensuring that both Israel and the nations recognize His absolute authority and unique identity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Confidence (Hebrew, _mibṭâch'_):** From H4009, this word signifies a refuge, security, or assurance. In this context, it highlights Israel's misplaced reliance and hope in Egypt's strength and stability, rather than finding their true security and trust in the Lord God. It points to a spiritual posture of dependence on human power.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʻâvôn'_):** From H5771, this term denotes perversity, moral evil, or sin. It encompasses not just an act of wrongdoing but the twisted nature or guilt associated with it, often implying the punishment due for such sin. Here, Israel's seeking of Egyptian alliance is explicitly labeled as their fundamental spiritual flaw, a profound breach of covenant faithfulness.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root means to ascertain by seeing, to comprehend, or to become acquainted with. It implies not merely intellectual understanding but experiential, relational knowledge. When God declares "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD," it signifies a forced, undeniable recognition of His true identity and power through His actions in history, leading to a profound transformation of perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel":** This clause declares a definitive end to Israel's historical pattern of relying on Egypt. Egypt, once seen as a powerful ally and source of security, will be so utterly diminished by God's judgment that it will cease to be a viable option for Israel's trust. This signifies a forced spiritual weaning.
* **"which bringeth [their] iniquity to remembrance":** The act of trusting in Egypt is directly linked to Israel's "iniquity." Their reliance on a foreign power, rather than on God, was a recurring sin (spiritual unfaithfulness). Egypt's very existence as a potential ally served as a constant reminder, a living testimony, to Israel's persistent lack of faith and their covenant disobedience. The judgment on Egypt thus exposes and highlights Israel's sin.
* **"when they shall look after them":** This phrase emphasizes Israel's persistent tendency to "look to" or "seek after" Egypt for help. Even in their exile, the temptation to rely on human strength would remain. God's judgment on Egypt ensures that this temptation is removed, as there will be nothing left for Israel to "look after" in terms of a reliable human alliance.
* **"but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD":** This is the ultimate, redemptive purpose of the entire process. Through the dismantling of false securities and the exposure of their sin, Israel will be brought to an undeniable, experiential knowledge of the one true God. This knowledge is not theoretical but transformative, leading to a renewed recognition of His absolute sovereignty, unique identity (YHWH), and covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 29:16 employs several potent literary devices. **Personification** is subtly present as Egypt is treated as a living entity that Israel "looks after" for "confidence," almost as if it were a rival deity or a dependable friend. The phrase "bringeth [their] iniquity to remembrance" functions as **Metonymy**, where Egypt, the object of Israel's misplaced trust, stands for the very act of unfaithfulness itself. Egypt becomes a symbol and a constant trigger for the memory of Israel's spiritual adultery. The entire verse, particularly the contrast between Israel's former "confidence" and the future "know that I am the Lord GOD," serves as a powerful instance of **Irony**. Israel sought security in a human power, but it is the destruction of that very power by God that ultimately leads them to true knowledge and security in Him. This reversal of expectation underscores God's absolute control and His unique way of revealing Himself through judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 29:16 deeply resonates with the broader biblical narrative concerning God's covenant people and their struggle with idolatry and misplaced trust. It highlights the divine principle that God often allows or orchestrates the collapse of our false securities—whether they be nations, wealth, or human wisdom—to expose our spiritual "iniquity" and redirect our gaze solely to Him. The recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the Lord GOD" is a theological cornerstone of Ezekiel, emphasizing that God's ultimate purpose in all His judgments and redemptive acts is the revelation of His unique, sovereign identity. This experiential knowledge is not merely intellectual assent but a profound, transformative recognition that reshapes one's entire worldview and reliance.

* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 29:16 serves as a timeless mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly assess the true source of our confidence and security. In a world that constantly offers myriad false refuges—financial stability, career success, political movements, or even human relationships—this verse calls us back to an exclusive trust in the Lord God. Our tendency to lean on these worldly "Egypts" often reveals a deeper spiritual "iniquity"—a subtle or overt lack of faith in God's sufficiency, wisdom, or power. Just as God stripped away Israel's misplaced confidence to bring them to a true knowledge of Himself, He often allows our own "Egypts" to crumble, not out of cruelty, but out of a profound love that desires our ultimate good and our complete reliance on Him. This process, though painful, is ultimately redemptive, leading us to a deeper, more authentic relationship with the One who is truly dependable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "Egypts" in my life today—the things or people in which I tend to place my primary confidence and security, rather than in God?**
* **How might my reliance on these false securities be exposing a deeper "iniquity" or lack of faith in God's sovereignty and provision?**
* **In what ways has God, in the past, allowed my "Egypts" to fail or be diminished, and how did that experience lead me to a greater "knowledge that I am the Lord GOD"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to consciously shift my confidence from worldly sources to a more complete and unwavering trust in God alone?**

### FAQ

**What was Israel's "iniquity" in relation to Egypt?**

Answer: Israel's "iniquity" in relation to Egypt was their persistent tendency to seek political and military alliances with Egypt for protection against other powerful nations, rather than placing their exclusive trust in the Lord God. This was a direct violation of their covenant with God, which called for absolute reliance on Him alone. It demonstrated a lack of faith in God's ability to protect them and was essentially a form of spiritual idolatry, as they looked to human strength instead of divine power. This pattern is seen throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children") and [Jeremiah 2:18](/jeremiah/2-18 "Jeremiah 2:18 - Why Go to Egypt?").

**How does God's judgment on Egypt lead Israel to "know that I am the Lord GOD"?**

Answer: God's judgment on Egypt serves as a powerful, undeniable demonstration of His absolute sovereignty over all nations and history. By dismantling Egypt's power and reducing it to insignificance, God removes Israel's false security and exposes the futility of relying on human strength. This forced removal of their "confidence" leaves them with no alternative but to acknowledge God's supreme authority. The experiential reality of seeing their trusted ally crumble, coupled with their own humbling in exile, compels them to recognize that only the Lord God is truly dependable and that He alone orchestrates world events according to His will. This "knowing" is not just intellectual but a profound, transformative recognition of His unique identity and power, as reiterated throughout Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 37:13](/ezekiel/37-13 "Ezekiel 37:13 - You Shall Know That I Am the Lord")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 29:16, though rooted in ancient geopolitical realities, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment by illuminating the nature of true confidence and the ultimate revelation of God. Israel's misplaced trust in Egypt foreshadows humanity's inherent tendency to seek security and salvation in anything other than God—be it human wisdom, worldly power, or self-righteousness. This "iniquity" is the universal human condition of sin, a turning away from the Creator to created things. Christ, however, is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to reveal Himself. He is the one in whom all true "confidence" resides, for He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus dismantles every false hope and exposes the futility of relying on anything but Him for salvation and security. The "knowledge that I am the Lord GOD" is most fully realized in knowing Jesus Christ, for He is the [exact imprint of God's nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory") and the [fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Christ"). In Him, we find not a "broken reed" but the unshakable foundation, the true refuge, and the only means by which humanity can truly "know" God in a saving and transformative way, leading to eternal life (cf. [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

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.

Isaiah 20:5

And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Ezekiel 21:23

And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

Isaiah 64:9

Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

Lamentations 4:17

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation [that] could not save [us].