Ezekiel 29:7

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

When they took hold {H8610} of thee by thy hand {H3709}, thou didst break {H7533}, and rend {H1234} all their shoulder {H3802}: and when they leaned {H8172} upon thee, thou brakest {H7665}, and madest all their loins {H4975} to be at a stand {H5976}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they grasped you in hand, you splintered and threw all their shoulders out of joint; when they leaned on you, you broke and made them all wrench their backs.'

Berean Standard Bible

When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 29:7 vividly portrays the disastrous consequences of relying on Egypt, depicted as a treacherous and brittle "staff of reed." This verse, part of a broader prophecy against Egypt, illustrates how those who sought its aid, particularly the nation of Israel, found not support but severe injury. Egypt, in its unreliability, shattered under the weight of dependence, causing crippling damage to those who trusted in its strength, thereby underscoring the futility of human alliances when divine trust is forsaken.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a series of prophetic oracles delivered by Ezekiel against Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel chapters 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt"). Specifically, [Ezekiel 29:1-16](/ezekiel/29-1 "Ezekiel 29:1-16 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt") focuses on Pharaoh as a great "dragon" or "sea monster" (Hebrew: _tannin_), symbolizing Egypt's immense power and arrogant self-sufficiency. The preceding verse, [Ezekiel 29:6](/ezekiel/29-6 "Ezekiel 29:6 - Egypt as a Staff of Reed"), introduces the metaphor of Egypt as a "staff of reed" to the house of Israel, setting the stage for the graphic description of its failure in verse 7. This imagery emphasizes Egypt's inherent weakness and unreliability despite its outward appearance of strength, reinforcing the overarching message of divine judgment against nations that oppose God's purposes or mislead His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, was caught between the dominant powers of Babylon and Egypt. Historically, Egypt had often presented itself as a potential ally to smaller nations in the Levant, promising military support against encroaching empires like Assyria and later Babylon. However, its aid was frequently unreliable, often arriving too late or proving insufficient, leading to devastating consequences for those who depended on it. The "staff of reed" metaphor would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience familiar with the fragility of reeds growing along the Nile and the common practice of using sturdy wooden staffs for support during travel or battle. Trusting a reed for support was inherently foolish, and its breaking would cause injury, a powerful cultural image for a deceptive and ultimately harmful alliance.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 29:7 powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost among these is the **unreliability of human alliances** and the **folly of misplaced trust**. The verse vividly illustrates the danger of relying on human power and political maneuvering rather than on the covenant faithfulness of Yahweh. It underscores the theme of **divine judgment** against national pride and treachery, as Egypt's arrogance and failure to be a true support lead to its downfall. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **consequences of disobedience** for Israel, who repeatedly sought help from Egypt instead of trusting God, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children") and [Jeremiah 2:36-37](/jeremiah/2-36 "Jeremiah 2:36-37 - Why Do You Go So Far?"). Ultimately, this passage reinforces God's **absolute sovereignty** over all nations, demonstrating that even a powerful empire like Egypt is merely an instrument in His hand, subject to His divine will and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **break (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** This word (H7665) appears twice in the verse, signifying a forceful and destructive shattering. It means "to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy, hurt." Its repetition emphasizes the complete and violent collapse of Egypt's supposed support, leading to profound injury rather than mere inconvenience.
* **rend (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ'_):** (H1234) This term means "to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open; make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up)." It suggests a tearing or splitting action, indicating the sharp, piercing nature of the injury inflicted by the breaking reed. It paints a picture of a wound that is not just a bruise but a deep, tearing laceration.
* **leaned (Hebrew, _shâʻan'_):** (H8172) This verb means "to support one's self; lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay." It perfectly captures the act of placing trust and dependence on something or someone. The use of this word highlights the deliberate act of seeking support from Egypt, making the subsequent injury a direct consequence of this misplaced reliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they took hold of thee by thy hand,"**: This clause describes the initial act of seeking support. "They" refers to the nations, particularly Judah/Israel, who looked to Egypt for assistance. "Took hold... by thy hand" implies a gesture of alliance, seeking a firm grasp and reliable aid from Egypt. It sets up the expectation of stability and help.
* **"thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder:"**: Here, the consequence of that reliance is revealed. Instead of providing support, Egypt (the "thou") shattered. The "shoulder" symbolizes strength, the ability to bear burdens, and the capacity for action. To have one's shoulder "rent" signifies a severe, debilitating injury, rendering them incapable of effective action or support.
* **"and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest,"**: This reiterates and reinforces the previous image. "Leaned upon thee" again emphasizes the act of placing full weight and trust. The immediate "thou brakest" confirms Egypt's utter failure and inherent weakness when put to the test.
* **"and madest all their loins to be at a stand."**: The "loins" (H4975, _môthen_) represent the seat of strength, vitality, and the ability to move or act decisively. To make them "at a stand" (H5976, _ʻâmad_, meaning "to shake; be at a stand") implies a complete paralysis or immobilization. This is not just a stumble but a total incapacitation, leaving those who trusted Egypt utterly helpless and unable to proceed.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 29:7 is rich in **Metaphor** and **Imagery**, primarily building upon the "staff of reed" metaphor introduced in the preceding verse. Egypt is not literally a reed, but its character and reliability are compared to one – brittle, weak, and ultimately dangerous when leaned upon. The verse employs vivid **Personification** by attributing actions like "breaking" and "rending" to Egypt as if it were an active agent inflicting harm, rather than merely collapsing. The descriptions of "rending all their shoulder" and making "all their loins to be at a stand" utilize **Hyperbole** to emphasize the severity and totality of the injury. While the physical damage might not be literal, the exaggerated language underscores the catastrophic political and military consequences for those who relied on Egypt, leaving them utterly incapacitated and vulnerable. The cumulative effect of these devices is a powerful and memorable warning against misplaced trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 29:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of trust and the sovereignty of God. It highlights the biblical principle that genuine security and lasting deliverance come only from Yahweh, not from the shifting sands of human alliances or worldly power. Egypt, a symbol of worldly strength and pride, is exposed as utterly unreliable, a broken reed that wounds rather than supports. This truth resonates throughout Scripture, warning against the spiritual idolatry of placing confidence in anything other than the living God. The severe consequences depicted in the verse—crippled shoulders and paralyzed loins—are a stark reminder that misplaced trust inevitably leads to spiritual and practical incapacitation, demonstrating God's righteous judgment against those who turn from Him to seek help from fallible human sources.

* [Isaiah 36:6](/isaiah/36-6 "Isaiah 36:6 - Egypt, a Bruised Reed")
* [Psalm 118:8-9](/psalm/118-8 "Psalm 118:8-8 - Trust in 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 29:7 offers a timeless and piercing challenge to our contemporary lives, urging us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our security and hope. In a world that constantly tempts us to lean on transient sources—be it financial stability, professional success, political systems, personal connections, or even our own abilities—this verse serves as a stark warning. When we place our ultimate confidence in anything other than the unwavering faithfulness of God, we are, in essence, leaning on a "staff of reed." Such supports, no matter how robust they appear, are inherently fragile and will inevitably break under pressure, leaving us not merely disappointed, but potentially crippled and unable to move forward. True and lasting support, the kind that never fails or injures, is found only in the Lord, who is our unshakeable rock and fortress. This passage calls us to a radical reorientation of trust, to shift our dependence from the temporal to the eternal, from the fallible to the infallible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "staffs of reed" might I be leaning on in my life today, perhaps without fully realizing it?**
* **How has misplaced trust in human systems or personal abilities led to disappointment or spiritual "injury" in my past?**
* **What practical steps can I take to consciously shift my trust and dependence more fully onto God in areas where I currently feel vulnerable or uncertain?**
* **How does the imagery of a "broken shoulder" or "paralyzed loins" speak to the spiritual consequences of relying on anything other than God?**

### FAQ
**Why is Egypt called a "staff of reed" in this prophecy?**

Answer: Egypt is called a "staff of reed" (Ezekiel 29:6-7) to symbolize its inherent weakness and unreliability as an ally, despite its outward appearance of power. Reeds are brittle and offer no true support; if one leans on them, they splinter and pierce the hand, causing injury. This metaphor vividly illustrates how Egypt, when trusted by nations like Judah for military or political support against stronger empires like Babylon, would ultimately fail them and cause more harm than good. It's a divine indictment against placing confidence in a nation that cannot deliver on its promises and is destined for God's judgment.

**Who are "they" who took hold of and leaned on Egypt in this verse?**

Answer: The "they" primarily refers to the nation of Israel, specifically the southern kingdom of Judah, and possibly other smaller nations in the Levant who sought alliances with Egypt against the rising power of Babylon. Throughout their history, Israel often wavered in their trust in God, frequently turning to powerful neighboring nations for protection. This reliance on Egypt is documented in other prophetic books, such as [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children") and [Jeremiah 2:36-37](/jeremiah/2-36 "Jeremiah 2:36-37 - Why Do You Go So Far?"), where God consistently warns against such misplaced trust.

**What does it mean for "all their loins to be at a stand"?**

Answer: The "loins" in biblical thought represent the seat of strength, vitality, and the ability to act or move decisively (e.g., [Job 40:16](/job/40-16 "Job 40:16 - Behemoth's Strength in His Loins")). To make their loins "to be at a stand" means to render them completely immobile, paralyzed, or incapacitated. It signifies a total loss of strength and ability to function or advance. This vivid imagery conveys the devastating consequence of relying on Egypt: instead of finding support to move forward, those who leaned on it were left utterly helpless and unable to take any further action, highlighting the severe spiritual and practical crippling that results from misplaced trust.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 29:7, with its stark imagery of a broken reed causing crippling injury, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who stands in absolute contrast to any unreliable earthly support. While Egypt proved to be a staff that shattered and wounded those who leaned on it, Jesus is revealed throughout the New Testament as the utterly dependable, unshakeable foundation for all who trust in Him. He is the [Chief Cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone") upon whom the entire spiritual temple is built, a rock against which the gates of hell cannot prevail ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Rock of the Church")). Unlike the temporary and fallible alliances of the Old Testament, Christ offers an eternal covenant of grace, His sacrifice on the cross providing perfect atonement and an unwavering promise of salvation and eternal life ([Hebrews 9:11-15](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-15 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Where human strength fails and leaves us "at a stand," the power of Christ enables us to do all things through Him who strengthens us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things")). Thus, the broken reed of Ezekiel 29:7 ultimately points to the glorious reliability and sufficiency of Jesus, the only one truly worthy of our complete trust and dependence, who never breaks His promises or leaves those who lean on Him crippled, but rather empowers them for abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")).

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

Ezekiel 17:15

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such [things]? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

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:

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.

Jeremiah 17:5

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:6

For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited.

Psalms 118:8

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalms 118:9

[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.