Ezekiel 30:12

And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken [it].

And I will make {H5414} the rivers {H2975} dry {H2724}, and sell {H4376} the land {H776} into the hand {H3027} of the wicked {H7451}: and I will make the land {H776} waste {H8074}, and all that is therein {H4393}, by the hand {H3027} of strangers {H2114}: I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} it.

I will dry up the streams of the Nile and sell the land to the wicked. Through the power of foreigners I will make the land and all that is in it desolate. I, ADONAI, have spoken.'

I will make the streams dry up and sell the land to the wicked. By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken.

And I will make the rivers dry, and will sell the land into the hand of evil men; and I will make the land desolate, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I, Jehovah, have spoken it.

Commentary

Context of Ezekiel 30:12

Ezekiel 30:12 is part of a significant prophetic oracle against Egypt, spanning chapters 29-32 of the book of Ezekiel. These prophecies were delivered during the time of the Babylonian exile, specifically addressing Egypt's pride, idolatry, and its unreliable role as an ally to Judah. God had used Babylon as His instrument of judgment against many nations, and Egypt was no exception. This particular verse foretells the devastating consequences of divine judgment, emphasizing the utter desolation and foreign conquest that would befall the land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse vividly describes God's active role in bringing about the downfall of Egypt. Phrases like "I will make the rivers dry" and "I will sell the land" underscore that this catastrophe is not mere chance but a direct act of divine will and justice.
  • Economic and Agricultural Ruin: Egypt's prosperity was entirely dependent on the Nile River. "Make the rivers dry" signifies a catastrophic blow to its agriculture, economy, and very means of survival, leading to widespread famine and desolation.
  • Foreign Conquest and Desolation: The selling of "the land into the hand of the wicked" and making it "waste...by the hand of strangers" clearly points to a foreign invasion and subsequent occupation. This refers primarily to the Babylonian conquest under Nebuchadnezzar, which brought immense destruction and subjugation. This is part of a larger series of prophecies detailing God's definitive judgment against Egypt.
  • God's Sovereignty: The concluding phrase, "I the LORD have spoken [it]," serves as a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history. It asserts that His word is final, His plans are unchangeable, and He orchestrates world events to fulfill His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of Ezekiel 30:12 uses strong, direct language that effectively conveys the Hebrew original's intent. The Hebrew word for "dry" (yabash) evokes images of parched land and withered vegetation, perfectly capturing the devastating effect on a river-dependent nation like Egypt. Similarly, "waste" (shamem) implies utter ruin and desolation, a land made desolate. The term "strangers" (zarim) plainly refers to foreign invaders, emphasizing the alien and destructive nature of the conquering forces. The repetition of "I will make" and "I will sell" highlights God's personal and active involvement in executing this judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:12 offers timeless lessons:

  1. God's Justice is Certain: This verse reminds us that God holds nations and individuals accountable for their pride, idolatry, and unrighteousness. While His patience is great, His justice is inevitable.
  2. Reliance on God Alone: Egypt trusted in its wealth, its military might, and its seemingly unassailable natural defenses (the Nile). This prophecy demonstrates the futility of trusting in anything other than the Almighty God. For believers today, it's a call to place our faith in God, not in worldly security or human power.
  3. God's Control Over History: Even when evil empires rise and fall, this verse affirms that God is ultimately in control. He uses various means, even "wicked" nations, to accomplish His divine will and bring about His purposes in human history.
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 29:3

    Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river [is] mine own, and I have made [it] for myself.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:26

    For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

  • Nahum 1:4

    He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

  • Jeremiah 51:36

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will plead thy cause, and take vengeance for thee; and I will dry up her sea, and make her springs dry.

  • Jeremiah 50:38

    A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

  • Ezekiel 29:9

    And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD: because he hath said, The river [is] mine, and I have made [it].

  • Ezekiel 29:10

    Behold, therefore I [am] against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste [and] desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.
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