Ezekiel 30:17

The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these [cities] shall go into captivity.

The young men {H970} of Aven {H206} and of Pibeseth {H6364} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719}: and these cities shall go {H3212} into captivity {H7628}.

The young men of On and Pi-Veset will die by the sword, while the cities themselves will go into captivity.

The young men of On and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and those cities will go into captivity.

The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword; and these cities shall go into captivity.

Ezekiel 30:17 is a stark prophetic declaration detailing the severe judgment awaiting Egypt. It specifically names two significant Egyptian cities, Aven (also known as On, or Heliopolis) and Pibeseth (Bubastis), highlighting the widespread and devastating nature of the coming defeat.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt, foretelling its devastating defeat and humiliation. Chapters 29-32 of Ezekiel are dedicated to these prophecies, which depict Egypt's downfall at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. Egypt, once a mighty empire and a source of false hope for Israel (see Ezekiel 29:7), is now destined for ruin due to its pride, idolatry, and its opposition to God's plans. The prophecy emphasizes that this judgment will affect key religious and cultural centers, signifying a complete national collapse.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse underscores God's absolute authority over all nations, even powerful ones like Egypt. Their defeat is not random but a direct execution of divine justice.
  • Consequences of Idolatry and Pride: Both Aven and Pibeseth were centers of Egyptian idolatry. Their destruction symbolizes the futility and ultimate downfall of reliance on false gods and human strength.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This specific prediction, along with others in Ezekiel, was later fulfilled by the Babylonian conquest, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word. The destruction of its youth and the captivity of its people underscore the completeness of God's judgment.
  • Vulnerability of Human Power: Despite Egypt's military might and ancient civilization, it was not immune to God's judgment, reminding us that all earthly powers are temporary and subject to divine will.

Linguistic Insights

The names of the cities themselves carry symbolic weight. Aven (Hebrew for On, the Greek Heliopolis) means "vanity" or "nothingness." This is a poignant prophetic wordplay, as a city dedicated to the sun god Ra, a prominent deity in Egyptian mythology, is ironically named "nothingness" by the prophet, highlighting the emptiness of its idolatry. Pibeseth (Egyptian Bubastis) means "the house of Bastet," referring to the cat goddess worshipped there. The fall of these strongholds signifies the defeat of their false gods and the total dismantling of their religious and political structures.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:17 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and their rulers. It teaches that no kingdom, however mighty, can stand against His will. For believers today, it reinforces the truth that:

  • We should not place our trust in worldly powers, wealth, or human systems, as they are ultimately transient and fallible.
  • There are dire consequences for idolatry and rebellion against God.
  • God is just and will ultimately judge all unrighteousness, ensuring that His purposes prevail.

This verse encourages us to place our hope and security in the unchanging character of God alone, who is the true and living King over all the earth.

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.

  • Genesis 41:45

    And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt.
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