Ezekiel 30:14

KJV

And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will make Pathros {H6624} desolate {H8074}, and will set {H5414} fire {H784} in Zoan {H6814}, and will execute {H6213} judgments {H8201} in No {H4996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

desolate Patros, set fire to Tzo'an, execute judgements in No,

Berean Standard Bible

I will lay waste Pathros, set fire to Zoan, and execute judgment on Thebes.

American Standard Version

And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set a fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments upon No.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:14 serves as a powerful divine declaration of impending judgment against ancient Egypt, specifically targeting three of its most significant cities: Pathros, Zoan, and No. This verse vividly portrays God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating His unparalleled power to bring about desolation, destruction by fire, and righteous judgment upon even the most formidable world powers. It stands as a stark and enduring reminder of the inevitable consequences for national pride, deep-seated idolatry, and a misplaced reliance on human strength rather than on the Almighty God, revealing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of His prophetic word in history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 30:14 is deeply embedded within a series of extensive prophecies against foreign nations, particularly the detailed oracle directed at Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29-32 - Prophecies Against Egypt"). These chapters meticulously outline God's impending judgment upon Egypt, to be executed through the agency of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, as explicitly foretold in passages like [Ezekiel 29:19-20](/ezekiel/29-19-20 "Ezekiel 29:19-20 - Nebuchadnezzar's Reward for Service"). This specific verse, by naming prominent Egyptian cities, underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of this divine judgment, indicating that no region of the nation, from its southern reaches (Pathros, No) to its northern delta (Zoan), would evade God's wrath. It follows earlier prophecies against Tyre, Sidon, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, positioning Egypt as the final and perhaps most significant target among the surrounding nations, given its historical influence and its role as an unreliable ally to Judah. The detailed geographical references within the prophecy emphasize the literal and precise fulfillment of these divine pronouncements.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the 6th century BC, the period of Ezekiel's prophecy, ancient Egypt stood as a dominant regional power, celebrated for its advanced civilization, formidable military, and deeply entrenched polytheistic religion. For centuries, the kingdom of Judah had a tumultuous relationship with Egypt, often vacillating between trusting in God and seeking strategic alliances with this powerful nation, frequently to their detriment. At this time, Egypt was a pivotal player in the geopolitical landscape, often perceived as a potential bulwark against the burgeoning Babylonian empire. Pathros refers to Upper Egypt, the southern region of the Nile Valley, symbolically representing the entire southern portion of the country. Zoan (known as Tanis in Greek) was a major city located in the Nile Delta (Lower Egypt), serving as an ancient capital and royal residence for several dynasties, making its destruction a direct blow to the very heart of Egyptian political power. No is the Hebrew name for Thebes (Greek: Diospolis, modern Luxor), the capital of Upper Egypt and an immensely important religious and administrative center, particularly for the worship of Amon-Ra, the chief deity of the Egyptian pantheon. The prophecy's specificity about these cities highlights God's direct confrontation with Egypt's political and religious strongholds, challenging their false gods and unequivocally demonstrating His supreme authority over all earthly powers.
* **Key Themes:** The judgment declared in [Ezekiel 30:14](/ezekiel/30-14 "Ezekiel 30:14 - Judgment on Egypt's Cities") powerfully articulates several core themes central to biblical theology. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount; God is not merely the God of Israel but the sovereign ruler over all nations, actively executing His will on the global stage. The repeated declarations, "I will make," "I will set," and "I will execute," emphatically underscore His direct and active role in shaping history. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Pride and Idolatry**. Egypt, with its long history of powerful pharaohs and a vast pantheon of gods, epitomized human self-reliance and trust in created things rather than the Creator. God's judgment exposes the utter futility and vulnerability of such misplaced trust, echoing the judgments against the gods of Egypt during the Exodus narrative, as seen in [Exodus 12:12](/exodus/12-12 "Exodus 12:12 - Judgment on Egypt's Gods"). Thirdly, the **Fulfillment of Prophecy** is a central theme; the precise naming of specific cities emphasizes the certainty and reliability of God's prophetic word. What God declares will inevitably come to pass, reinforcing the trustworthiness of all His promises and warnings. Finally, the verse speaks profoundly to **Justice and Judgment**, reminding us that God is righteous and will hold all nations accountable for their rebellion against Him and for leading His people astray. The severity of the judgment reflects the gravity of Egypt's spiritual and political offenses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **No (Hebrew, _Nôʼ'_):** This word (H4996) is of Egyptian origin and refers to Thebes, the capital of Upper Egypt. Its inclusion signifies a direct attack on the religious and political heartland of Egypt. The name "No" is often associated with "city of Amon," highlighting the spiritual dimension of God's judgment against Egypt's chief deity. The desolation of No represents the complete overthrow of Egypt's spiritual and administrative strength, demonstrating the impotence of its gods.
* **set (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This primitive root (H5414) is highly versatile, meaning "to give," but used with a wide latitude of application including "put," "make," "appoint," and "cause." In the context of "will set fire," it conveys the active, intentional, and decisive nature of God's action. It is not a passive allowance but a deliberate divine orchestration of the destruction, emphasizing God's direct involvement in the unfolding events.
* **execute (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) means "to do or make" in the broadest sense, encompassing "accomplish," "perform," "bring to pass," and "put in execution." When God declares He "will execute judgments," it signifies His active, sovereign implementation of justice. It implies a thorough and complete carrying out of His decreed sentence, leaving no doubt about the divine origin and certainty of the judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will make Pathros desolate":** This opening clause declares God's explicit intention to bring widespread devastation to Pathros, a region representing Upper Egypt. The term "desolate" (H8074, _shâmêm_) implies a state of utter ruin, emptiness, and astonishment, signifying a complete and overwhelming destruction that would render the region uninhabitable or unproductive. This highlights the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting the entire southern part of the nation.
* **"and will set fire in Zoan":** Here, God specifies a direct act of destruction by fire upon Zoan, a significant capital city in Lower Egypt. "Setting fire" (H784, _ʼêsh_) indicates a violent, consuming, and purifying judgment. The choice of Zoan emphasizes the targeting of Egypt's political and administrative heart, demonstrating that even its most fortified and prominent centers were utterly vulnerable to divine wrath and could not withstand God's power.
* **"and will execute judgments in No":** This final clause pronounces that God will carry out His "judgments" (H8201, _shepheṭ_) in No (Thebes), the religious and administrative hub of Upper Egypt. The term "judgments" refers to legal sentences or inflictions, implying a righteous and deserved punishment. This specific targeting of No, a notorious center of idolatry and the worship of Amon-Ra, underscores the profound theological dimension of God's judgment—it is not merely military defeat but a divine reckoning against the false gods and the national pride they represented.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:14 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message of impending and inescapable judgment. The most prominent is **Divine Pronouncement**, marked by the repeated and emphatic "I will," which underscores God's active agency, sovereign control, and unwavering determination over the unfolding events. This direct declaration reinforces the certainty and inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment. **Geographical Specificity** is crucial, as the naming of Pathros, Zoan, and No provides concrete targets for the abstract concept of judgment, making the prophecy tangible, historically verifiable, and deeply personal to the Egyptian people. This also functions as potent **Symbolism**, where these key cities represent the entirety of Egypt—its political power, religious strongholds, and geographical breadth—thereby implying a comprehensive and national downfall that leaves no part untouched. The vivid imagery of "make desolate" and "set fire" employs **Hyperbole** to convey the totality and severity of the destruction, painting a picture of overwhelming ruin that leaves no doubt about the devastating and all-encompassing impact of God's wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:14 profoundly illustrates God's universal dominion, demonstrating with undeniable clarity that His authority extends far beyond the covenant nation of Israel to encompass all peoples, empires, and geopolitical forces. The judgment upon Egypt, a powerful symbol of human strength, self-sufficiency, and entrenched idolatry, serves as a timeless testament to the utter futility of trusting in worldly might or false gods. It underscores God's unwavering righteousness, revealing Him as a God of perfect justice who holds all nations accountable for their actions, particularly their rebellion against His divine order and their oppression or misleading of His people. This passage powerfully reinforces the consistency of God's character throughout Scripture—He is both merciful and just, and His warnings are as certain and reliable as His promises of salvation and restoration.

* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "God Does Not Change")
* [Isaiah 19:1](/isaiah/19-1 "Prophecy Against Egypt")
* [Jeremiah 46:25](/jeremiah/46-25 "Judgment on Egyptian Gods")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:14, though a prophecy rooted in ancient history and directed at a specific nation, carries profound and timeless truths that resonate powerfully with contemporary life. It compels us to acknowledge God's supreme and undeniable authority, not merely over individuals, but over entire nations, global events, and the rise and fall of empires. In a world that often places its ultimate trust in economic power, military might, technological advancement, or human ideologies, this verse serves as a stark and sobering reminder that such foundations are ultimately fleeting, vulnerable, and subject to divine scrutiny. It challenges us deeply to examine where our own ultimate trust lies—is it in the temporary and often deceptive securities of this world, or in the unchanging, sovereign God who holds all things in His hand? The desolation of once-mighty cities should prompt profound humility and a recognition that all earthly power and glory are temporary and ephemeral. Furthermore, the precision and certainty of God's judgment remind us that He is a God of perfect justice who will ultimately set all things right, providing both a stern warning for those who defiantly oppose Him and profound comfort for those who suffer under injustice. This passage calls us to repent of any misplaced trust, to live in awe and reverence of God's majestic power, and to pray earnestly for our own nations to align with His righteous and holy standards.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do individuals and nations today place their ultimate trust in "Egypt-like" powers (e.g., wealth, technology, political systems, military strength) rather than in the one true God?**
* **What does God's specific and comprehensive judgment on Egypt, targeting its political and religious centers, reveal about His character, and how should this understanding impact our reverence and awe for Him?**
* **How does the historical certainty of God's past prophecies being fulfilled strengthen our faith and confidence in His future promises and warnings, both for individuals and for nations?**
* **Considering God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His active involvement in history, what is our role as believers in praying for and thoughtfully engaging with the governing authorities and societal structures of our own countries?**

### FAQ

**Why did God judge Egypt so severely?**

Answer: God's severe judgment on Egypt, as vividly portrayed throughout [Ezekiel 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29-32 - Prophecies Against Egypt"), was multifaceted and deeply rooted in their national character and actions. Primarily, Egypt had a long and pervasive history of pride and profound self-reliance, consistently boasting in its own strength, military prowess, and pantheon of gods rather than acknowledging the one true God, the Lord of Hosts. They had also proven to be an unreliable and deceptive ally to Israel, repeatedly tempting God's people to trust in human power and political alliances rather than divine provision and faithfulness (cf. [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1-7 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). Furthermore, Egypt's deeply entrenched idolatry, particularly the widespread worship of deities like Amon-Ra, directly challenged God's unique sovereignty and glory. The judgment served to unequivocally demonstrate God's absolute power over all nations and their false gods, fulfilling His righteous decrees and upholding His perfect justice in the world.

**What is the significance of the specific cities mentioned: Pathros, Zoan, and No?**

Answer: The mention of Pathros, Zoan, and No in [Ezekiel 30:14](/ezekiel/30-14 "Ezekiel 30:14 - Judgment on Egypt's Cities") is highly significant because these cities collectively represent the full geographical, political, and cultural breadth of ancient Egypt, from its southern reaches to its northern delta. Pathros refers to Upper Egypt, the southern region of the Nile Valley, symbolically encompassing the entire southern part of the nation. Zoan (also known as Tanis) was a major capital city located in the Nile Delta (Lower Egypt), representing the political and administrative heart of the north. No (Thebes) was the capital of Upper Egypt and an immensely crucial religious center, particularly for the worship of Amon-Ra, the chief deity of the Egyptian pantheon (cf. [Nahum 3:8](/nahum/3-8 "Nahum 3:8 - The Fall of No Amon")). By naming these specific and prominent locations, God emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of His judgment, indicating that no part of the nation, from its most fortified political centers to its most sacred religious strongholds, would be spared. It underscores the precision, certainty, and all-encompassing reach of God's prophetic word.

**Does this prophecy have any relevance for us today?**

Answer: Absolutely. While [Ezekiel 30:14](/ezekiel/30-14 "Ezekiel 30:14 - Judgment on Egypt's Cities") describes a historical judgment on an ancient nation, its underlying theological principles and warnings are timeless and profoundly relevant for us today. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is eternally sovereign over all nations and the unfolding course of history, and He holds all powers, whether political, economic, or cultural, accountable for their actions. It stands as a powerful warning against national pride, widespread idolatry, and any misplaced trust in human strength, accumulated wealth, or sophisticated systems apart from God. For believers, it powerfully reinforces the unwavering reliability of God's Word—if His warnings against ancient nations were so precisely fulfilled, so too will His promises of salvation, His ultimate triumph over evil, and His final judgment. It calls us to place our ultimate and unwavering trust in God alone, to live righteously in His sight, and to earnestly pray for our own nations, recognizing that God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 30:14 describes a specific historical judgment on an ancient nation, its ultimate theological fulfillment points to the comprehensive and decisive judgment of God against all sin, idolatry, and rebellion, which finds its climactic expression in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The desolation of Egypt's strongholds foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over the spiritual principalities and powers that hold humanity captive, disarming them triumphantly on the cross (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). The "judgments" executed in No, a notorious center of false worship, powerfully prefigure Christ's definitive triumph over all false gods and spiritual darkness, establishing His universal reign as the true and only King of kings and Lord of lords (cf. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus is Lord of All")).

The fire set in Zoan, symbolizing consuming destruction, finds its ultimate expression not only in the refining fire of God's judgment that will consume all that opposes His kingdom, but also in the purifying and empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers (cf. [Matthew 3:11](/matthew/3-11 "Matthew 3:11 - Baptism with Fire and the Holy Spirit")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment on the cross, offering an eternal escape from the desolation and condemnation of sin for all who believe (cf. [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ has decisively disarmed the powers of darkness and inaugurated a new kingdom where true justice and perfect righteousness prevail, ultimately leading to a new heavens and a new earth where sin, suffering, and judgment will be no more (cf. [Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, the historical judgment on Egypt serves as a powerful type, pointing to the greater, redemptive judgment accomplished by Christ, who alone has been given all authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (cf. [John 5:27](/john/5-27 "John 5:27 - Jesus Given Authority to Judge")).

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

Jeremiah 46:25

The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him:

Ezekiel 29:14

And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return [into] the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.

Psalms 78:12

Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, [in] the field of Zoan.

Psalms 78:43

How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:

Nahum 3:8

¶ Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, [that had] the waters round about it, whose rampart [was] the sea, [and] her wall [was] from the sea?

Numbers 13:22

And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Isaiah 19:11

Surely the princes of Zoan [are] fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I [am] the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?