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.

But I will strengthen {H2388} the arms {H2220} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and the arms {H2220} of Pharaoh {H6547} shall fall down {H5307}; and they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I shall put {H5414} my sword {H2719} into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and he shall stretch it out {H5186} upon the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Yes, I will hold up the arms of the king of Bavel; but the arms of Pharaoh will droop. They will know that I am ADONAI when I put my sword in the hand of the king of Bavel, and he stretches it out over the land of Egypt.

I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon’s king, and he wields it against the land of Egypt.

And I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, 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.

Context

Ezekiel 30:25 is part of a larger series of prophecies against Egypt, spanning chapters 29-32. At this historical juncture, the mighty Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, was the reigning superpower. Egypt, led by Pharaoh Hophra (or a successor), frequently attempted to exert influence over Judah, often encouraging rebellion against Babylon. However, God here emphatically declares His divine intervention: He will supernaturally strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and cause the arms of Pharaoh to weaken and fall. This divine empowerment of Babylon and weakening of Egypt is a clear statement that God is using Babylon as His "sword" to execute judgment upon the land of Egypt, demonstrating His ultimate control over the nations and their destinies.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over Nations: This verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over the affairs of the world. He actively intervenes in geopolitics, raising up one nation and bringing down another according to His sovereign will. No earthly power or ruler operates outside of His ultimate decree.
  • God's Use of Instruments: Even a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, is presented as an instrument in God's hand. God "puts His sword" into Babylon's hand, signifying that Babylon's military might and conquests are divinely directed to fulfill God's purposes, including judgment on Egypt. This theme is also seen in other prophecies where God uses pagan rulers as instruments.
  • The Purpose of Judgment: The overarching goal of these severe judgments is stated explicitly: "they shall know that I [am] the LORD." This is a recurring motif throughout Ezekiel. The humiliation of Egypt and the triumph of Babylon are not random events but serve to reveal God's unique identity, power, and authority to both the Egyptians and the surrounding nations.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "they shall know that I [am] the LORD" is a foundational declaration in the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. The Hebrew verb for "know" (yada) here implies more than mere intellectual understanding; it signifies an experiential recognition, a profound acknowledgment, and often a submission to God's power, authority, and covenant faithfulness. It's about realizing His unique identity as Yahweh (the LORD), the self-existent, sovereign God who fulfills His word and executes justice. This phrase underscores the theological purpose behind all of God's actions, whether in judgment or restoration: to bring about a true and undeniable revelation of Himself.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:25 offers profound reassurance and a call to humility for believers today. It reminds us that despite the apparent chaos or injustice in world events, God remains sovereign over all nations and political leaders. Empires rise and fall, leaders gain and lose power, but God's ultimate plan and purpose will always prevail. This should encourage us to trust in God's overarching control, even when current events seem overwhelming or discouraging. Furthermore, it underscores that God's judgments, then as now, serve a redemptive purpose: to bring people to a true and experiential knowledge of Him. We are called to recognize His hand in history, to acknowledge His supreme authority in our own lives, and to live in a way that helps others come to "know that I am the LORD," just as ancient nations were compelled to recognize His power through judgment.

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 38:16

    And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

  • Ezekiel 29:16

    And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth [their] iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 39:21

    And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.

  • Ezekiel 39:22

    So the house of Israel shall know that I [am] the LORD their God from that day and forward.

  • Ezekiel 32:15

    When I shall make the land of Egypt desolate, and the country shall be destitute of that whereof it was full, when I shall smite all them that dwell therein, then shall they know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 29:21

    In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 30:26

    And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

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