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.

And all the inhabitants {H3427} of Egypt {H4714} shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, because they have been a staff {H4938} of reed {H7070} to the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am ADONAI, because they have been a support made of straw for the house of Isra'el.

Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.

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

Context

Ezekiel 29:6 is part of a series of prophecies delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the nation of Egypt, specifically targeting Pharaoh and the land itself. These prophecies, found in chapters 29-32, were given during the period of the Babylonian exile, a time when the kingdom of Judah had repeatedly looked to Egypt for military and political support against the rising power of Babylon. Historically, Israel had often wavered in its trust in God, instead seeking alliances with powerful nations like Egypt, a practice frequently condemned by prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The declaration "all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD" underscores God's ultimate authority and His intent to reveal Himself through acts of judgment. This phrase, "I am the LORD" (Hebrew: Ani YHWH), is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, emphasizing God's unchallengeable power and His unique identity as the sovereign ruler over all nations, not just Israel.
  • The Unreliability of Human Alliances: The central metaphor in this verse is Egypt being a "staff of reed to the house of Israel." A staff is meant for support, but a reed is fragile and easily broken. In fact, relying on a reed can cause injury, as it splinters and pierces the hand that leans on it. This imagery powerfully conveys that Egypt was not a reliable ally for Israel; its promises of help were hollow, and its support ultimately failed, leading to Israel's downfall and exile. This theme is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, warning against trusting in human strength or political maneuverings over God's provision (see Isaiah 36:6 for a similar taunt from the Assyrians).
  • Consequences of Misplaced Trust: Israel's reliance on Egypt demonstrated a profound lack of faith in God's ability to protect and deliver them. This verse highlights the divine consequence of such misplaced trust, as both Egypt faces judgment for its treachery, and Israel learns a bitter lesson about seeking help from worldly powers rather than from their covenant God (compare Jeremiah 17:5).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "staff of reed" translates the Hebrew mish'enet qaneh (מִשְׁעֶנֶת קָנֶה). The word qaneh refers to a hollow stalk or cane, emphasizing its weakness and lack of structural integrity. This imagery is particularly potent because it contrasts sharply with the expectation of a sturdy staff for support. The very act of leaning on such a fragile support would result in pain and failure, symbolizing the futility and harm that came from Israel's alliance with Egypt.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 29:6 serves as a timeless reminder about the dangers of placing our ultimate trust in anything other than God. In our own lives, we may be tempted to rely on financial security, political systems, human relationships, or personal strength to navigate challenges. This verse teaches us:

  • God Alone is Reliable: All human institutions and powers are ultimately finite and fallible, like a "staff of reed." True and lasting security comes only from God, who is unchanging and all-powerful.
  • Beware of False Hopes: When we place our hope in unreliable sources, we set ourselves up for disappointment and even harm. God desires us to depend fully on Him for our provision, protection, and peace.
  • God Reveals Himself Through Circumstance: Sometimes, God allows our "reeds" to break so that we might truly "know that I am the LORD." He uses difficult circumstances to draw us back to Him and to reveal His faithfulness and sovereignty in ways we might not otherwise perceive (see Psalm 46:10).
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.
  • 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.
  • 2 Kings 18:21

    Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
  • Ezekiel 28:22

    And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.
  • Ezekiel 28:24

    And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.
  • Isaiah 30:2

    That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
  • Isaiah 30:7

    For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.
  • Exodus 9:14

    For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that [there is] none like me in all the earth.

Install App

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back