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].

And I will strengthen {H2388} the arms {H2220} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and put {H5414} my sword {H2719} in his hand {H3027}: but I will break {H7665} Pharaoh's {H6547} arms {H2220}, and he shall groan {H5008} before {H6440} him with the groanings {H5009} of a deadly wounded {H2491} man.

I will strengthen the arms of the king of Bavel and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh; he will groan like a man mortally wounded.

I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man.

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

Ezekiel 30:24 KJV is part of a series of prophecies delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the nation of Egypt, detailing its impending downfall at the hands of Babylon. This specific verse vividly illustrates the contrast between the rising power of Babylon, divinely empowered, and the devastating defeat awaiting Pharaoh and his kingdom.

Context

The book of Ezekiel primarily addresses the Jewish exiles in Babylon, offering both warnings and promises during a tumultuous period. Chapters 29-32 focus on prophecies against Egypt, a significant regional power that Judah often looked to for military support against the encroaching Babylonian Empire. At this time, Pharaoh Hophra ruled Egypt, and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was God's chosen instrument to execute judgment on various nations, including Egypt. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over the rise and fall of empires, demonstrating that even powerful rulers like Nebuchadnezzar were instruments in His hand.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse explicitly states, "I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand." This highlights God's ultimate control over all nations and their leaders. He empowers one to conquer and weakens another to be conquered, demonstrating that human history unfolds according to His divine plan.
  • Judgment on Egypt: Pharaoh's arms being broken signifies the complete collapse of Egypt's military strength and political power. The "groanings of a deadly wounded man" emphasize the severity and finality of their defeat, a direct consequence of their pride and opposition to God's purposes.
  • Babylon as God's Instrument: Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, was not merely acting on its own imperial ambition but was being used by God as a "sword" to bring judgment upon nations, including Egypt and even Judah itself (see Habakkuk 1:6).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "arms" (zeroa) frequently symbolizes strength, power, and military might in the Old Testament. To "strengthen the arms" means to empower, while to "break the arms" signifies complete incapacitation and loss of power. The phrase "my sword" is significant; it indicates that the weapon wielded by the king of Babylon is not just a physical sword, but an instrument of God's divine justice and wrath, signifying His direct involvement in the conflict.

Practical Application

This prophecy serves as a powerful reminder that God remains in control of world events. Nations rise and fall at His command, and even seemingly overwhelming worldly powers are ultimately subject to His will. For believers, this instills confidence that God's purposes will prevail, and it encourages reliance on Him rather than on human strength or political alliances. It also underscores the principle that pride and self-reliance lead to downfall, while humility before God's sovereignty is paramount.

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.

  • Ezekiel 30:25

    But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

  • Zephaniah 2:12

    ¶ Ye Ethiopians also, ye [shall be] slain by my sword.

  • Nehemiah 6:9

    For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God], strengthen my hands.

  • Isaiah 45:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

  • Isaiah 45:5

    ¶ I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

  • Isaiah 10:5

    ¶ O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

  • Isaiah 10:6

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

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