Ezekiel 30:3

For the day [is] near, even the day of the LORD [is] near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

For the day {H3117} is near {H7138}, even the day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068} is near {H7138}, a cloudy {H6051} day {H3117}; it shall be the time {H6256} of the heathen {H1471}.

For the day is near, the Day of ADONAI, a day of clouds, the time of the Goyim.

For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

For the day is near, even the day of Jehovah is near; it shall be a day of clouds, a time of the nations.

Context

Ezekiel 30:3 is part of a larger prophetic section in the Book of Ezekiel (chapters 29-32) dedicated to the judgment of Egypt. These prophecies were delivered during the Babylonian exile, a time when many in Judah looked to Egypt as a potential ally against the rising power of Babylon. Ezekiel, however, consistently declared that God would humble Egypt, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. This specific verse warns of the impending arrival of a divinely ordained judgment against Egypt, emphasizing its nearness and severity.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Divine Judgment: The repeated phrase "the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near" underscores the certainty and swift approach of God's judgment. This isn't a distant threat but an impending reality for Egypt and other gentile nations who oppose God's will or rely on their own strength.
  • The Day of the LORD: This significant prophetic concept, often called Yom Yahweh in Hebrew, refers to a specific time when God decisively intervenes in human history to execute judgment on His enemies and bring salvation to His people. While it sometimes refers to ultimate eschatological events, here it points to a historical judgment against a specific nation, Egypt. For more on this concept, see Joel 2:1 or Amos 5:18.
  • A "Cloudy Day": This vivid imagery signifies a time of darkness, gloom, distress, and obscured understanding. It often accompanies divine judgment, symbolizing the overwhelming nature of God's wrath and the despair of those facing it. It suggests a lack of clarity and a pervasive sense of doom, much like a thick storm cloud. This imagery is also found in Zephaniah 1:15.
  • "Time of the Heathen": This phrase indicates that the judgment will specifically target the gentile nations (often translated as "nations" or "gentiles"). In this context, it refers directly to Egypt and its allies, highlighting that God's authority extends beyond Israel to encompass all peoples and kingdoms. Their time of self-reliance and pagan practices is coming to an end under God's sovereign hand.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the day of the LORD" (Hebrew: Yom Yahweh) is a powerful theological term throughout the Old Testament. It denotes a period of divine reckoning, often associated with judgment, devastation, and the vindication of God's justice. The "cloudy day" (Hebrew: yom anan) further emphasizes the somber, terrifying, and overwhelming nature of this divine intervention, much like the presence of God on Mount Sinai was shrouded in a cloud, signifying both presence and judgment.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:3 serves as a timeless reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. Firstly, it teaches that God is not confined to one nation or people; His authority extends over all kingdoms and rulers. No nation, however powerful, is beyond His reach or judgment. Secondly, it underscores the certainty of divine reckoning for pride, idolatry, and opposition to God's will. Just as Egypt faced its "cloudy day," so too will all who reject God's truth. This verse encourages believers to place their trust in God alone, recognizing that true security comes not from worldly alliances or power, but from allegiance to the Almighty God, who holds the times and seasons in His hand, as proclaimed in Daniel 2:21.

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.

  • Obadiah 1:15

    For the day of the LORD [is] near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

  • Joel 2:1

    ¶ Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;

  • Joel 2:2

    A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.

  • Ezekiel 7:7

    The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble [is] near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.

  • Ezekiel 34:12

    As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

  • Ezekiel 30:18

    At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

  • Ezekiel 7:12

    The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.

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