Ezekiel 30:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:25 declares Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over the nations, specifically detailing His divine intervention in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East. God explicitly states His intention to supernaturally empower the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, while simultaneously debilitating Pharaoh's strength, thereby ensuring Egypt's downfall. This dramatic shift in power is presented not as a random historical event, but as a direct act of God designed to reveal His unique identity and supreme authority, compelling all parties to "know that I am the LORD" as His judgment unfolds through the instrument of Babylon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 30:25 is situated within a sustained block of prophecies against Egypt, spanning from [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh") through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament Over Pharaoh"). This particular verse appears in a section (Ezekiel 30:20-26) that specifically addresses the weakening of Pharaoh's arms and the strengthening of Babylon's, immediately following a prophecy about Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt as compensation for his siege of Tyre ([Ezekiel 29:17-20](/ezekiel/29-17 "Ezekiel 29:17-20 - Nebuchadnezzar's Reward")). The imagery of "arms" being broken or strengthened is a recurring motif in these chapters, symbolizing military power and national might. This verse serves as a climactic declaration of God's direct involvement in orchestrating Egypt's defeat at the hands of Babylon, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment and the ultimate revelation of Yahweh's power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, the ancient Near East was dominated by the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II. Egypt, under Pharaoh Hophra (Apries), was a significant regional power that often sought to reassert its influence over Judah and other smaller states, frequently encouraging them to rebel against Babylonian suzerainty. This period was marked by intense geopolitical maneuvering, with Judah caught between these two great powers. From a cultural perspective, the strength of a king or nation was often represented by the strength of their "arm" – a powerful metaphor for military might, administrative capacity, and overall national prowess. The divine declaration that God Himself would strengthen Babylon's arm and break Pharaoh's arm would have been understood as an undeniable statement of supernatural intervention, signaling the inevitable collapse of Egypt's perceived invincibility and the rise of Babylon as God's chosen instrument of judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**, demonstrating God's absolute control over global affairs. He is not merely an observer but an active participant, raising up and casting down empires according to His will, as seen in His use of Assyria and Babylon as instruments of judgment against Israel and Judah (e.g., [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Rod")). Second, it highlights **God's Use of Instruments**, even pagan ones. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, is depicted as God's "sword," a tool in His hand to execute His divine purposes, echoing the concept of God using foreign powers for His ends, as He did with Cyrus in [Isaiah 45:1-6](/isaiah/45-1 "Isaiah 45:1-6 - Cyrus, God's Anointed"). Third, and perhaps most central to Ezekiel, is the theme of **The Purpose of Judgment: "They Shall Know That I Am the LORD."** This phrase, a hallmark of Ezekiel's prophecy, signifies that all of God's actions, whether in judgment or restoration, are ultimately designed to reveal His unique identity, power, and faithfulness to all peoples, ensuring that His name is glorified and His authority acknowledged, as also promised in [Ezekiel 38:23](/ezekiel/38-23 "Ezekiel 38:23 - God's Name Revealed Through Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strengthen (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** This primitive root signifies "to fasten upon," "to seize," "to be strong," or "to fortify." In this context, it denotes a divine act of empowering and making firm. God is not merely allowing Babylon to be strong; He is actively imparting strength to its king, enabling him to fulfill God's punitive purpose against Egypt. It implies a supernatural infusion of might and resolve.
* **Arms (Hebrew, _zᵉrôwaʻ'_):** This word literally refers to the arm or foreleg, but figuratively, it represents force, help, mighty power, or strength. Here, it is a potent **metonymy** for military power, national might, and the ability to execute one's will. The strengthening of Babylon's arms and the falling down of Pharaoh's arms vividly portray the complete reversal of power orchestrated by God.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** While literally a cutting instrument like a knife or sword, _chereb_ frequently symbolizes war, destruction, and divine judgment in prophetic literature. When God says He will "put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon," it powerfully conveys that Babylon's military campaigns are not merely human endeavors but are divinely commissioned acts of judgment, making Nebuchadnezzar an instrument of God's wrath.
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This root means "to ascertain by seeing," "to perceive," "to understand," or "to acknowledge." In a theological sense, especially in Ezekiel's repeated refrain "they shall know that I am the LORD," it signifies more than intellectual understanding. It implies an experiential, profound, and often painful recognition of Yahweh's unique identity, sovereignty, and power, leading to acknowledgment and submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon":** This clause declares God's active and direct intervention to empower Nebuchadnezzar. The "arms" symbolize military might and national capability. God is the source of Babylon's strength, not merely its human leadership or military prowess. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty over earthly powers.
* **"and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down":** In stark contrast to Babylon's empowerment, Pharaoh's military and national strength will collapse. The imagery of "falling down" conveys weakness, defeat, and utter impotence. This is not a natural decline but a divinely orchestrated debilitation, ensuring Egypt's subjugation.
* **"and they shall know that I [am] the LORD":** This is the ultimate purpose and theological climax of God's actions. "They" refers to both the Babylonians and the Egyptians, and by extension, all nations witnessing these events. The judgment is not arbitrary but serves to reveal Yahweh's unique identity (the self-existent, covenant-keeping God) and His supreme authority over all creation and history.
* **"when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon":** This powerful phrase uses the "sword" as a **metaphor** for divine judgment and war. God is explicitly stating that He is commissioning Nebuchadnezzar as His agent, entrusting him with the instrument of divine wrath. Babylon's military might is merely a tool in God's hand.
* **"and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt":** This final clause describes the execution of the divine judgment. The king of Babylon, empowered by God and wielding God's "sword," will extend his destructive power over the entire land of Egypt, signifying a comprehensive and devastating conquest.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:25 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine sovereignty and judgment. **Metonymy** is prominent, with "arms" representing the military and national power of Babylon and Pharaoh. The strengthening and falling of these "arms" vividly depict the transfer of power orchestrated by God. The "sword" is a powerful **metaphor** for divine judgment and military conquest, emphasizing that Babylon's actions are not merely human aggression but the execution of God's will. The phrase "I will put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon" employs **divine anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like action (putting a sword in hand) to God to convey His direct and personal involvement in historical events. Furthermore, the stark **contrast** between the strengthening of Babylon's arms and the falling of Pharaoh's arms highlights the absolute nature of God's control and the certainty of His judgment. The recurring phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" functions as a **refrain** throughout Ezekiel, underscoring the ultimate theological purpose of all divine actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:25 profoundly illustrates the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the rise and fall of nations. It demonstrates that no earthly power, however mighty, operates outside of His ultimate decree. God uses even pagan rulers and empires as instruments to accomplish His righteous purposes, whether in judgment or in the advancement of His redemptive plan. The central theological motif, "they shall know that I am the LORD," reveals that the primary goal of all divine action, including severe judgment, is the revelation of God's unique identity, power, and authority. This knowledge is not merely intellectual assent but an experiential recognition that compels acknowledgment and submission, ultimately bringing glory to His name.

* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Both Good and Calamity") - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons") - "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."
* [Romans 9:17](/romans/9-17 "Romans 9:17 - God Raises Up Pharaoh for His Purpose") - "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:25 offers profound reassurance and a sober call to humility for believers today. In a world often characterized by political instability, global conflicts, and the rise and fall of various powers, this verse reminds us that God remains immutably sovereign over all nations and their leaders. We are called to trust in His overarching control, knowing that even when events seem chaotic or unjust, His ultimate plan and purpose will prevail. This perspective cultivates a deep sense of peace, freeing us from anxiety about earthly powers and directing our gaze to the One who "removes kings and sets up kings." Furthermore, it compels us to recognize that God's judgments, then as now, serve a redemptive purpose: to bring people to a true and experiential knowledge of Him. Our application extends to living in a way that helps others come to "know that I am the LORD," whether through the proclamation of His truth, acts of justice, or simply by demonstrating His transforming power in our own lives, acknowledging His supreme authority in every circumstance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations impact your perspective on current global events?**
* **In what ways might God be using seemingly negative or powerful forces in the world today to accomplish His ultimate purposes?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to "know that I am the LORD" in an experiential way, beyond mere intellectual understanding?**
* **How can you, in your sphere of influence, contribute to others coming to "know that I am the LORD"?**

### FAQ
**Why would God strengthen a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar to bring judgment?**

Answer: God's sovereignty extends over all nations and rulers, whether they acknowledge Him or not. In Ezekiel 30:25, as in many other biblical passages, God uses pagan kings and empires as instruments to execute His divine judgments and accomplish His purposes. Nebuchadnezzar was not acting independently but was a "sword" in God's hand, a tool for divine wrath against nations like Egypt that had defied Him or oppressed His people. This demonstrates God's absolute control over history and His ability to turn even the actions of those who do not know Him into means for His glory and the fulfillment of His word. This is a recurring theme, as seen when God calls Assyria "the rod of my anger" in [Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Rod").

**What is the significance of the phrase "they shall know that I am the LORD" in Ezekiel?**

Answer: This phrase is a central theological refrain throughout the book of Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It signifies the ultimate purpose behind God's actions, whether in judgment or restoration. "Knowing" God here implies far more than intellectual recognition; it means an experiential, profound, and often undeniable acknowledgment of His unique identity as Yahweh (the self-existent, covenant-keeping God), His supreme power, and His absolute authority. Through the unfolding of His prophecies and the execution of His judgments, God forces both His own people and the pagan nations to confront His reality and acknowledge that He alone is the true God, who fulfills His word and executes justice. This theme is also prominent in passages like [Ezekiel 36:23](/ezekiel/36-23 "Ezekiel 36:23 - God's Name Sanctified Among the Nations").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 30:25 directly speaks of God's sovereign control over ancient empires, its theological underpinnings find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "knowing that I am the LORD" motif, so central to Ezekiel, culminates in the revelation of God through His Son. In Christ, God's power and authority are fully displayed, not merely in judgment but supremely in salvation. Just as God used Babylon as His "sword" to execute judgment, so too did He use the cross, an instrument of human cruelty, as the means by which His ultimate judgment against sin was executed through the sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The strengthening and weakening of earthly "arms" point to the eternal kingdom of Christ, whose "arm" is never weakened and whose dominion is everlasting ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")). Ultimately, all nations will bow before Him, and every knee will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow to Jesus")). The judgment executed by Babylon was a foreshadowing of the final judgment administered by Christ, who holds all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), ensuring that all will truly "know" the Lord through His ultimate triumph.

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

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.