Ezekiel 29:2

Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, set {H7760} thy face {H6440} against Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}, and prophesy {H5012} against him, and against all Egypt {H4714}:

"Human being, turn your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt; prophesy against him and against all Egypt;

“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.

Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt;

Commentary

Ezekiel 29:2 opens a significant prophetic oracle against Egypt, a powerful nation that often played a complex role in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East, particularly concerning Judah. Here, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to confront Pharaoh and the entire nation of Egypt with a message of divine judgment. This verse sets the stage for a series of prophecies detailed throughout Ezekiel chapters 29-32, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers.

Context

This prophecy was delivered during the Babylonian exile, a period when many of Judah's people had been deported to Babylon. At this time, Egypt was a formidable kingdom ruled by Pharaoh Hophra (also known as Apries). Judah often looked to Egypt as a potential ally against the rising power of Babylon, mistakenly placing their trust in human strength rather than in God. These prophecies against Egypt serve as a strong reminder that God's plan would prevail, regardless of political alliances or military might. They also underscored the futility of Judah's reliance on Egypt, which was often depicted as a "broken reed" (Isaiah 36:6).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully asserts God's ultimate control over all nations and their leaders, including the mighty Pharaoh. No earthly kingdom is beyond His reach or judgment.
  • Prophetic Authority: Ezekiel, addressed as "Son of man," is divinely commissioned to deliver this challenging message. This highlights the prophet's role as God's mouthpiece, even when speaking against powerful adversaries.
  • Judgment on Pride: The subsequent chapters reveal that Egypt's downfall is largely due to its pride and self-sufficiency, believing itself to be a source of life and power independent of God (Ezekiel 29:3).
  • False Hope: For Judah, this prophecy served as a stark warning against putting their hope in human alliances rather than in the Lord. Egypt, despite its grandeur, would prove to be an unreliable and ultimately defeated ally.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam) is God's frequent address to Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and dependence on divine revelation, contrasting with the awesome power of God whom he represents. "Set thy face against" (Hebrew: sum panim el) signifies a determined, resolute posture of confrontation and opposition. It's a strong idiomatic expression indicating a direct, unwavering prophetic stance, mirroring God's own resolve to bring judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 29:2 reminds us that God remains sovereign over all global powers and political landscapes, even today. It challenges believers to place their ultimate trust not in human leaders, nations, or systems, but in the unfailing power and plan of God. Just as Egypt's pride led to its downfall, this verse serves as a timeless caution against human arrogance and self-reliance, encouraging humility and dependence on the Creator. It also affirms the importance of speaking God's truth, even when it is a message of warning or judgment to those in authority.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 6:2 (4 votes)

    Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,

  • Jeremiah 44:30 (3 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

  • Jeremiah 46:2 (3 votes)

    Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.

  • Jeremiah 46:16 (3 votes)

    He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.

  • Joel 3:19 (2 votes)

    Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence [against] the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

  • Ezekiel 25:2 (2 votes)

    Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;

  • Jeremiah 43:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah in Tahpanhes, saying,