Ezekiel 30:21

Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, I have broken {H7665} the arm {H2220} of Pharaoh {H6547} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}; and, lo, it shall not be bound up {H2280} to be healed {H7499}{H5414}, to put {H7760} a roller {H2848} to bind {H2280} it, to make it strong {H2388} to hold {H8610} the sword {H2719}.

"Human being, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; it has not been bound up with dressings and bandages, so that it can heal and become strong enough again to wield the sword.

โ€œSon of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword.

Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it hath not been bound up, to apply healing medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it be strong to hold the sword.

Commentary

Ezekiel 30:21 presents a stark prophetic declaration from God, delivered through the prophet Ezekiel, concerning the impending and irreversible judgment upon Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This verse vividly symbolizes the complete dismantling of Egypt's power and military capability.

Context

This prophecy is part of a series of oracles against Egypt, spanning Ezekiel chapters 29-32. At the time of this prophecy, Judah was caught between the rising power of Babylon and the declining, yet still formidable, influence of Egypt. Many in Judah were tempted to rely on Egypt for military support against Babylon. God, through Ezekiel, consistently warned against this misplaced trust, asserting His absolute control over all nations. The "arm of Pharaoh" here is a potent metaphor for Egypt's military strength, its ability to wage war, and its political might, which God declares He has decisively broken.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse explicitly states, "I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt," emphasizing that God Himself is the ultimate force behind the downfall of earthly powers. This powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over all nations and their rulers. No earthly kingdom, no matter how mighty, can stand against His will.
  • Irreversible Loss of Strength: The imagery of an arm that "shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword" signifies a permanent and irreparable loss of military and national power. It's not a temporary setback but a decisive incapacitation, rendering Egypt unable to defend itself or project its power. This echoes the warning against relying on Egypt, likened to a "broken reed," in Isaiah 36:6.
  • Futility of Human Reliance: For Judah, this prophecy served as a crucial lesson: trusting in the might of human empires like Egypt instead of God was futile and misguided. God's judgment ensures that any perceived human strength outside of His will ultimately proves fragile.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "arm," zeroa' (ื–ึฐืจื•ึนืขึท), is frequently used in the Old Testament to symbolize strength, power, and dominion. When God declares "I have broken" (shavar, ืฉึธืื‘ึทืจ) this arm, it conveys a sense of violent shattering or crushing, indicating a complete destruction of power rather than a mere injury. The subsequent phrase, "it shall not be bound up to be healed" (using the verbs แธฅabash, ื—ึธื‘ึทืฉื - to bind up, and rapha', ืจึธืคึธื - to heal), underscores the incurable nature of this wound, signaling a definitive end to Egypt's former prominence and military vitality.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:21 offers a timeless spiritual truth: all human power, military might, and political influence are ultimately temporary and subject to God's sovereign will. It reminds us not to place our ultimate trust in worldly systems, leaders, or even our own strength, but to rely wholly on God. For believers, this verse reinforces the importance of discerning where true power lies and placing their confidence in the Almighty, who alone is steadfast and true. It also serves as a solemn warning that pride and opposition to God's purposes, whether on an individual or national level, will inevitably lead to a downfall from which there is no recovery.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 46:11

    Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; [for] thou shalt not be cured.

  • Jeremiah 30:13

    [There is] none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

  • Jeremiah 48:25

    The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.

  • Psalms 37:17

    For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

  • Psalms 10:15

    Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil [man]: seek out his wickedness [till] thou find none.

  • Ezekiel 30:24

    And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded [man].

  • Isaiah 1:6

    From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
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