Ezekiel 30:21

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.

Berean Standard Bible

“Son 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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:21 delivers a profound prophetic declaration from God, through the prophet Ezekiel, announcing the decisive and irreversible judgment upon Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. This verse vividly portrays the complete dismantling of Egypt's military and political power, using the potent metaphor of a broken arm that cannot be healed or restored to wield a weapon. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over earthly empires and the futility of human strength when it stands in opposition to His divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a series of oracles against Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel chapters 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel's Prophecies Against Egypt"). Specifically, it follows a prophecy in [Ezekiel 30:20](/ezekiel/30-20 "Ezekiel 30:20 - The Date of the Prophecy") that dates this particular word from the Lord to the eleventh year, first month, and seventh day, placing it shortly after the fall of Jerusalem. The preceding verses ([Ezekiel 30:1-19](/ezekiel/30 "Ezekiel 30 - Judgment on Egypt")) detail the widespread devastation that will befall Egypt, including the destruction of its cities and the scattering of its people. Verse 21 then zeroes in on the source of Egypt's perceived strength—Pharaoh and his military might—declaring its complete and permanent incapacitation, setting the stage for further declarations of Babylon's rise as God's instrument of judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of this prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Egypt was a major regional power, albeit in decline, frequently vying for influence with the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire. Judah, caught between these two giants, often looked to Egypt for military and political alliances against Babylon, despite God's repeated warnings through prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah. The "arm of Pharaoh" was a universally understood symbol of Egypt's military prowess, its ability to wage war, and its political authority that extended over client states. The imagery of a broken arm that cannot be healed would have resonated deeply with the audience, signifying a complete and humiliating defeat, stripping Egypt of its capacity to defend itself or project power, thereby eliminating it as a reliable ally for Judah.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 30:21 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute control over all nations and their rulers, regardless of their perceived might. The declaration "I have broken the arm of Pharaoh" emphasizes that this judgment is not merely a political or military outcome but a direct act of God. This reinforces the message that no earthly kingdom can thwart His purposes, a truth echoed in [Daniel 4:32](/daniel/4-32 "Daniel 4:32 - God Rules the Kingdom of Men"). Another key theme is the **Futility of Human Reliance**, particularly on worldly powers. For Judah, this prophecy served as a stark warning against trusting in Egypt's strength rather than in the Lord, a misplaced confidence that prophets consistently condemned, as seen in [Isaiah 31:1-3](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1-3 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help"). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Irreversible Judgment**, with the detailed description of the arm that "shall not be bound up to be healed" signifying a permanent and devastating loss of power, a judgment from which there is no recovery or restoration of former strength.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665, meaning "to burst (literally or figuratively); break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), crush, destroy." This word conveys a violent shattering or crushing, indicating a complete and devastating destruction of power rather than a mere injury or temporary setback. It emphasizes the decisive and forceful nature of God's action against Pharaoh's might.
* **Arm (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_):** From H2220, meaning "the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength." In this context, "arm" is a powerful **metaphor** for military strength, executive power, and the ability to act decisively. Its breaking signifies the complete incapacitation of Egypt's capacity for war and its dominion.
* **Bound up (Hebrew, _châbash'_):** From H2280, meaning "to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule; bind (up), gird about, govern, healer, put, saddle, wrap about." The repeated use of this word ("bound up...to bind it") highlights the medical inability to mend the broken arm, underscoring the permanence of the damage and the impossibility of recovery for Egypt's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt;":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy, delivered through Ezekiel ("Son of man"). The direct declaration "I have broken" emphasizes God's personal and active role in the downfall of Egypt's power, personified by Pharaoh. The "arm" here is a clear symbolic representation of Egypt's military might and political strength, which God has decisively shattered.
* **"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.":** This detailed elaboration underscores the irreversible nature of the judgment. The inability to "be bound up to be healed" signifies that no human effort, no medical intervention (like applying a "roller" or bandage), will restore Egypt's strength. The ultimate consequence is that Egypt will be rendered incapable of wielding "the sword"—that is, unable to wage war, defend itself, or project its power as it once did. This is a prophecy of complete and permanent military and national debilitation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:21 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "arm of Pharaoh" is a potent symbol for Egypt's military and political power. The act of "breaking" this arm is a vivid **metaphor** for the complete destruction and incapacitation of that power. The subsequent description—"it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword"—employs **Imagery** that is both graphic and specific, drawing on the common understanding of medical treatment for a broken limb. This detailed negative prognosis serves as **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the utter and irreversible nature of Egypt's demise as a dominant force. The entire statement functions as a **Divine Pronouncement**, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty and His direct intervention in the affairs of nations, demonstrating His control over history and the destiny of empires.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:21 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine sovereignty and the transient nature of all human power. It unequivocally declares that God is the ultimate orchestrator of history, capable of raising up and casting down nations according to His perfect will. The breaking of Pharaoh's arm is not merely a political event but a theological one, demonstrating that no earthly empire, no matter how formidable, can stand against the Lord of Hosts. This truth calls believers to place their ultimate trust not in the strength of human institutions, military might, or political alliances, but solely in the unshakeable power and faithfulness of God. It also serves as a sobering reminder that pride and opposition to God's purposes will inevitably lead to a downfall from which there is no human recovery.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Isaiah 40:23-24](/isaiah/40-23 "God Brings Princes to Nothing")
* [Jeremiah 1:10](/jeremiah/1-10 "God's Authority Over Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:21 offers a timeless and profound challenge to where we place our confidence and hope. In a world that often measures success and security by military might, economic power, or political influence, this ancient prophecy reminds us that all such human constructs are ultimately fragile and temporary, subject to the sovereign hand of God. For us today, this means discerning where true strength lies. Are we tempted to put our trust in powerful leaders, robust economies, or national defense systems as our ultimate source of security? This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the temporary to the eternal, from the visible to the invisible, and to place our unwavering faith in God alone, who is truly unshakeable and whose arm is never broken. It encourages humility, reminding us that any strength we possess, individually or corporately, is a gift from God and should be used for His glory, not for self-aggrandizement or opposition to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "arms" or sources of strength do I, or my society, tend to rely on instead of God?**
* **How does the irreversible nature of Pharaoh's broken arm challenge my understanding of worldly power and its limitations?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to relinquish control and trust more fully in God's sovereign power?**

### FAQ
**Why did God specifically "break the arm" of Pharaoh?**

Answer: God broke the "arm" of Pharaoh as a powerful and universally understood metaphor for the complete and decisive destruction of Egypt's military and political power. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the arm symbolized strength, authority, and the ability to act or wage war. By declaring He had "broken" Pharaoh's arm, God was communicating that He, the sovereign Lord, was directly responsible for rendering Egypt utterly incapable of defending itself or projecting its influence. This was not a temporary setback but a permanent incapacitation, a divine judgment against a nation that had historically oppressed God's people and that Judah was wrongly tempted to rely upon instead of God. This act underscored God's absolute control over all earthly kingdoms, as seen in [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "God Judges and Exalts").

**What is the significance of the arm not being able to be "bound up to be healed"?**

Answer: The detailed description of the 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" emphasizes the irreversible and incurable nature of Egypt's downfall. It means that no human effort, no medical intervention, no political maneuvering, and no military rearmament would be able to restore Egypt to its former position of strength and influence. This imagery highlights the finality of God's judgment and the futility of any attempt to reverse what He has decreed. It is a declaration that Egypt's time as a dominant world power was definitively over, serving as a stark warning to those who would trust in human might over divine power, as highlighted in [Isaiah 30:7](/isaiah/30-7 "Egypt's Help is Worthless").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 30:21, with its vivid imagery of a broken and irrecoverable arm of earthly power, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the triumph of God's kingdom over all human and spiritual dominion, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Pharaoh's arm was broken, signaling the end of a temporal empire, Christ's "arm"—His divine power and authority—is eternally unbroken and supreme. The futility of human strength to heal itself or to ultimately prevail against God's purposes points to the necessity of a divine intervention that only Christ could provide. He is the true "strong man" who binds the powers of darkness ([Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Binding the Strong Man")), not through earthly might, but through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. The brokenness of Pharaoh's arm foreshadows the breaking of the power of sin and death by Christ on the cross, an act from which there is no recovery for the enemy ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His victory, Christ has established an eternal kingdom that "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "God's Eternal Kingdom")), unlike any earthly empire. Thus, the ultimate "healing" and strength for humanity is not found in the restoration of worldly power but in the spiritual renewal and eternal life offered through the unbroken and all-powerful "arm" of our Lord Jesus Christ ([Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "The Arm of the Lord Revealed")).

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 46:11

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.