Ezekiel 30:15

KJV

And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will pour {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon Sin {H5512}, the strength {H4581} of Egypt {H4714}; and I will cut off {H3772} the multitude {H1995} of No {H4996}.

Complete Jewish Bible

pour my fury on Seen the stronghold of Egypt, and destroy the hordes of No.

Berean Standard Bible

I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the crowds of Thebes.

American Standard Version

And I will pour my wrath upon Sin, the stronghold of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:15 pronounces a severe divine judgment upon Egypt, specifically targeting two of its most significant cities, Sin (Pelusium) and No (Thebes). This verse, embedded within a broader prophetic oracle against Egypt, declares that God will unleash His intense wrath ("fury") upon Sin, identified as "the strength of Egypt," and will "cut off the multitude" of No. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating that even the mightiest worldly powers are subject to His righteous judgment, ultimately serving to reveal His glory and establish His universal authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 30:15 is situated within a series of prophecies against foreign nations, specifically chapters 29-32, which are dedicated to the judgment of Egypt. This particular oracle, beginning in [Ezekiel 29:1](/ezekiel/29-1 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh") and extending through [Ezekiel 32:32](/ezekiel/32-32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament Over Pharaoh"), details God's impending destruction of the Nile nation. The preceding verses in [Ezekiel 30](/ezekiel/30 "Ezekiel 30 - Further Prophecies Against Egypt") describe a day of the Lord's judgment upon Egypt, characterized by widespread desolation, the shattering of its idols, and the weakening of its military might. Verse 15 specifically names two key cities, Sin and No, indicating the comprehensive nature of the judgment that will reach even the most fortified and populous centers of Egyptian power, reinforcing the theme of total devastation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a dominant global power, renowned for its wealth, military strength, and strategic location. Its influence often extended into Judah's affairs, with Judah sometimes seeking alliances with Egypt for protection against other regional empires like Assyria and Babylon, despite divine warnings (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). "Sin" (Pelusium) was a crucial border fortress in the eastern Nile Delta, guarding Egypt against invasion from the Levant, thus aptly called "the strength of Egypt." "No" (Thebes, modern Luxor) was the magnificent capital of Upper Egypt, a center of immense religious, political, and economic power, famous for its temples and vast population, hence "the multitude of No." The prophecy's targeting of these specific cities highlights the comprehensiveness of God's judgment, striking at both the military frontier and the heartland of Egyptian might and population. The judgment serves as a stark reminder to Judah not to trust in human power but in God alone.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Judgment**, portraying God as actively intervening in human history to execute His righteous wrath upon nations that oppose His will or lead His people astray. Secondly, it underscores God's **Sovereignty Over Nations**, demonstrating that no earthly power, however mighty or self-sufficient, is beyond His control or immune to His justice. The judgment on Egypt, a symbol of worldly strength, serves to humble human pride and reveal God's ultimate authority over all creation, a theme echoed in other oracles against nations like those found in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13-23 - Oracles Against the Nations"). Thirdly, the prophecy highlights the **Futility of Human Strength and Trust in Idols**, as Egypt's "strength" (Sin) and "multitude" (No) prove utterly inadequate against the "fury" of the Lord, reinforcing the call for God's people to place their reliance solely on Him, as seen in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Name of the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "heat," denotes intense divine anger, wrath, or indignation. It is not merely human emotion but a holy, righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. When God "pours" His fury, it signifies a full, unmitigated outpouring of His just judgment, leaving no room for escape or mitigation. It speaks to the severity and completeness of the impending devastation.
* **strength (Hebrew, _mâʻôwz'_):** This word refers to a fortified place, a defense, or a stronghold. In the context of Sin (Pelusium), it highlights the city's strategic military importance as a frontier fortress. By declaring that God will pour His fury "upon Sin, the strength of Egypt," the prophecy emphasizes that even Egypt's most formidable defenses and sources of security will be utterly overwhelmed and rendered useless by divine power. It represents the collapse of what was considered humanly impregnable.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** This term signifies a noise, tumult, crowd, or abundance, often referring to a large population or great wealth. Applied to No (Thebes), it points to the city's vast population, its bustling activity, and its immense resources. God's act of "cutting off" this multitude indicates a comprehensive destruction that will decimate the very heart of Egypt's demographic and economic power, silencing its clamor and reducing its abundance to desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt;":** This clause declares God's direct, active, and intense judgment. The verb "pour" (Hebrew, _shâphak'_) implies a complete and overwhelming release, like a flood, of His "fury" (righteous wrath). The target is "Sin," identified as Pelusium, a key strategic fortress. By calling it "the strength of Egypt," the prophecy highlights that God's judgment will strike at the very source of Egypt's perceived security and military might, demonstrating its utter vulnerability before divine power.
* **"and I will cut off the multitude of No.":** This second clause parallels the first, describing another aspect of God's comprehensive judgment. The verb "cut off" (Hebrew, _kârath'_) signifies destruction, termination, or eradication. The target here is "No," or Thebes, the capital of Upper Egypt and a densely populated, wealthy city. "The multitude of No" refers to its vast population and abundant resources. God's act of cutting off this multitude signifies the decimation of its people and the destruction of its prosperity, ensuring that no aspect of Egypt's power, whether military or demographic, will escape His judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "pour my fury," where divine wrath is given the active quality of a liquid being poured out, emphasizing its overwhelming and inescapable nature. The cities of "Sin" and "No" function as **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (the key cities) stands for the whole (the entire nation of Egypt), signifying that the judgment will be comprehensive and affect the entire land. The descriptive phrases "the strength of Egypt" for Sin and "the multitude of No" for No act as **Appositives** that further characterize these cities, highlighting what God is specifically targeting: Egypt's military might and its demographic and economic prosperity. Furthermore, the two clauses exhibit clear **Parallelism**, with similar grammatical structures and thematic content (divine judgment on a key aspect of Egypt), reinforcing the message of total devastation through repetition and variation. The imagery used, such as "pour my fury" and "cut off," is also a form of **Figurative Language** that evokes a powerful sense of destructive force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:15 profoundly articulates God's unassailable sovereignty and His commitment to justice, extending His judgment not only to His covenant people but to all nations, particularly those that embody pride, idolatry, and oppression. The destruction of Egypt's "strength" and "multitude" serves as a stark reminder that all human power, security, and prosperity are ultimately fleeting and fragile when measured against the immutable will of God. This passage underscores that God's glory is revealed not only in His acts of salvation but also in His righteous judgment, demonstrating that He is the true and only King over all the earth, capable of humbling the proud and exalting the humble. It calls believers to place their trust solely in Him, rather than in the ephemeral might of human systems or alliances.

* [Isaiah 13:4](/isaiah/13-4 "Isaiah 13:4-5 - The Lord of Hosts Mustering an Army") - Describes the Lord of Hosts mustering an army for judgment, emphasizing His universal dominion over nations.
* [Psalm 22:28](/psalms/22-28 "Psalm 22:28 - For Kingship Belongs to the Lord") - Proclaims that "kingship belongs to the Lord, and He rules over the nations," a foundational truth reinforced by Ezekiel's prophecy against Egypt.
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction") - States that "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall," directly correlating with the humbling of Egypt's "strength" and "multitude."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:15 serves as a timeless reminder that divine judgment is a reality, not merely a theological concept. It challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and security. Just as ancient Egypt relied on its military might (Sin) and its vast population and wealth (No), so too do modern individuals and nations often place their confidence in economic stability, technological advancement, political power, or military superiority. This verse calls us to recognize the ephemeral nature of all earthly securities when confronted with the sovereign power and righteous fury of God. It compels us to shift our reliance from human strength and worldly resources to the unfailing faithfulness and omnipotence of the Creator. Furthermore, it reminds us that God's justice is comprehensive, reaching into every corner of human endeavor and holding all accountable. This should inspire both a healthy fear of the Lord and a deeper commitment to living in alignment with His will, knowing that true security is found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or in what worldly systems do I tend to place my "strength" or "multitude" (security, trust, identity) instead of in God?**
* **How does the concept of God's "fury" and His "cutting off" of nations challenge my understanding of His character?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's sovereignty rather than on human power or resources?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Sin" and "No" in this prophecy?**

Answer: "Sin" (Hebrew: _Çîyn_) is commonly identified with Pelusium, a strategically vital fortress city on Egypt's northeastern border, serving as a key military defense point. Its designation as "the strength of Egypt" highlights its role as a symbol of Egypt's military might and border security. "No" (Hebrew: _Nôʼ_) refers to Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt (modern Luxor). Thebes was a city of immense wealth, religious significance, and a vast population, making it the heartland of Egyptian power and prosperity. By targeting these two cities—one representing military strength and the other representing demographic and economic abundance—the prophecy emphasizes that God's judgment would be comprehensive, striking at both the frontiers and the very core of Egypt's power and pride, demonstrating that no aspect of its perceived invincibility could withstand divine wrath. The judgment on these specific cities underscores God's ability to dismantle the very foundations of human arrogance and self-reliance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 30:15, with its declaration of divine fury poured out and the cutting off of worldly strength, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of God's judgment on a literal nation, Egypt, the New Testament reveals a deeper, spiritual reality of judgment and salvation. Jesus, as 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 "fury" of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross, becoming the very object of judgment so that humanity might be spared (e.g., [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as a Propitiation")). He did not merely judge the "strength" of a nation, but He triumphed over the spiritual "strength" of sin and death (e.g., [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), disarming the principalities and powers that held humanity captive. Furthermore, the "multitude" that is "cut off" in Ezekiel foreshadows the ultimate cutting off of all who refuse to trust in Christ, leading to eternal separation from God, while those who believe are brought into the true "multitude" of God's redeemed people, the Church (e.g., [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Great Multitude Before the Throne")). Thus, Christ is both the one who endures the fury of judgment for us and the one who, by His resurrection, definitively "cuts off" the power of our spiritual enemies, establishing His eternal kingdom which is not of this world and whose strength is not human but divine (e.g., [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not Of This World")).

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

Revelation 16:1

¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.

Nahum 1:6

Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.