Ezekiel 30:13

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause [their] images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; I will also destroy {H6} the idols {H1544}, and I will cause their images {H457} to cease {H7673} out of Noph {H5297}; and there shall be no more a prince {H5387} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: and I will put {H5414} a fear {H3374} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

"Here is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'I will destroy the idols, make the false gods in Nof cease to exist. No longer will there be a prince from the land of Egypt; I will put fear in the land of Egypt,

This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease from Memphis; and there shall be no more a prince from the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 30:13 delivers a powerful prophetic declaration of God's judgment against Egypt, specifically targeting its religious and political foundations. The verse highlights the Lord GOD's direct intervention to dismantle idolatry and strip the nation of its sovereignty, replacing its former glory with fear.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Ezekiel delivered this message during the Babylonian exile, a time when many of God's people were looking to Egypt for help against Babylon. However, God consistently warned against such alliances, revealing His plan to humble all proud nations, including Egypt. "Noph" (Memphis) was an ancient and significant city in Egypt, serving as a political and religious capital. It was a hub of idol worship, home to temples dedicated to various Egyptian deities like Ptah, the creator god. The destruction of its idols and images signified a direct assault on the heart of Egyptian paganism and the false security it offered.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Idolatry: The primary emphasis is God's uncompromising stance against idolatry. The destruction of idols and images in Noph underscores God's absolute intolerance for anything that usurps His rightful place. This judgment is a clear demonstration of His holiness and His demand for exclusive worship, echoing the commands found in Exodus 20:4.
  • Sovereignty of God Over Nations: The declaration, "there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt," signifies the end of Egypt's independent political power and its role as a dominant force. This illustrates God's ultimate control over earthly kingdoms, demonstrating that He raises up and brings down nations according to His divine will.
  • Fear and Weakness: The phrase "I will put a fear in the land of Egypt" indicates a lasting consequence of God's judgment. Egypt would no longer inspire awe or confidence but would instead be marked by apprehension, weakness, and a diminished status among nations.

Linguistic Insights

The term for "idols" in Hebrew, gillulim (גִּלּוּלִים), is often translated as "dung-gods" or "detestable things." This pejorative term used by the prophets vividly conveys God's utter contempt and abhorrence for these false deities, emphasizing their worthlessness. "Noph" (מֹף - Moph) is the biblical name for the ancient city of Memphis, renowned for its temples and religious significance, making its defilement particularly impactful.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:13 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unchanging character and His principles of justice. For us today, it underscores the importance of examining our own lives for "idols"—anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts, whether it be wealth, power, comfort, or even good things that become ultimate things. This verse encourages us to acknowledge God's sole claim to our worship and to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that all earthly powers are ultimately subject to Him. It calls believers to seek true spiritual freedom by worshiping the one true God, rather than relying on fleeting worldly securities.

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.

  • Zechariah 10:11

    And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.

  • Jeremiah 46:14

    Declare ye in Egypt, and publish in Migdol, and publish in Noph and in Tahpanhes: say ye, Stand fast, and prepare thee; for the sword shall devour round about thee.

  • Jeremiah 2:16

    Also the children of Noph and Tahapanes have broken the crown of thy head.

  • Exodus 12:12

    For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I [am] the LORD.

  • Isaiah 19:1

    ¶ The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

  • Isaiah 19:16

    In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

  • Hosea 9:6

    For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

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