Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; I will also make the multitude {H1995} of Egypt {H4714} to cease {H7673} by the hand {H3027} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}.
"Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I will destroy the hordes of Egypt through N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel.
This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease, by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.
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Ezekiel 29:19
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. -
Ezekiel 32:11
For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee. -
Ezekiel 32:16
This [is] the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, [even] for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD. -
Ezekiel 30:24
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded [man]. -
Ezekiel 30:25
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. -
Ezekiel 29:4
But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales. -
Ezekiel 29:5
And I will leave thee [thrown] into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.
Ezekiel 30:10 declares a definitive prophecy from the Lord GOD concerning the downfall of Egypt, explicitly naming Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, as the instrument of this divine judgment. This verse is part of a larger series of prophecies against various nations, emphasizing God's ultimate control over global events and the destiny of empires.
Context
The prophet Ezekiel delivered these messages during the Babylonian exile, often to a disheartened Jewish populace. Chapters 29-32 of Ezekiel are dedicated to prophecies against Egypt, a powerful ancient civilization that often symbolized worldly strength and was, at times, an unreliable ally to Judah. God's judgment against Egypt served multiple purposes: to demonstrate His supremacy over false gods and mighty nations, to punish Egypt's pride and its role in misleading Israel, and to confirm His justice to His people. This specific verse highlights the precise means by which God would execute His judgment, through the very king who had conquered Judah: Nebuchadrezzar. This points to the historical reality of Babylon's eventual conquest of Egypt, though the details of its completeness are debated by historians, the prophetic intent of its humbling is clear.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The title "Lord GOD" (Hebrew: Adonai Yahweh) is a powerful combination, emphasizing both God's sovereign mastery (Adonai) and His covenant faithfulness as the self-existent God (Yahweh). This specific usage in prophetic books reinforces the absolute certainty and authority of the pronouncement. "Multitude of Egypt" refers to its vast population, its military might, and its accumulated wealth, all of which would be diminished or "made to cease." The phrase "by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar" clearly identifies the human agent God would employ, emphasizing that Nebuchadrezzar was an instrument in God's larger plan, not acting independently of divine will.
Practical Application
Ezekiel 30:10 reminds us that God remains sovereign over all nations and world powers. In times of global instability or political upheaval, this verse offers assurance that God's plan is unfolding, and He uses even seemingly chaotic events to accomplish His righteous purposes. It also serves as a solemn warning that nations, like individuals, are accountable to God for their actions, their pride, and their rejection of divine truth. For believers, this truth encourages trust in God's ultimate control and His ability to bring about justice, even when human powers seem overwhelming, echoing the broader theme of God's reign over all kingdoms, as seen in Daniel 4:17.