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.
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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.
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
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: