Ezekiel 30:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:3 serves as a potent prophetic declaration, announcing the imminent arrival of "the day of the LORD," a divinely appointed period of decisive judgment specifically directed towards Egypt and other gentile nations. This impending judgment is vividly characterized as a "cloudy day," symbolizing profound darkness, overwhelming distress, and the obscuring of all hope, thereby underscoring the absolute certainty, severity, and comprehensive nature of God's sovereign intervention in human history to execute His righteous will over all peoples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 30:3 is strategically positioned within a series of sustained prophecies against Egypt, which dominate chapters 29-32 of the Book of Ezekiel. These oracles immediately succeed a broader section of judgments against other surrounding nations (chapters 25-28), collectively asserting Yahweh's universal sovereignty over all earthly powers. The specific prophecy in chapter 30 commences with a mournful lament over Egypt's impending desolation, meticulously detailing the widespread destruction that will engulf the land and its confederate allies. The emphatic repetition of "the day is near" in verse 3 functions as an urgent, almost breathless, pronouncement, setting a somber tone for the subsequent vivid descriptions of divine judgment and devastation, including the prophesied downfall of Pharaoh and the scattering of the Egyptian populace. This verse thus acts as a pivotal thematic anchor, introducing the overarching concept of divine reckoning that permeates the entire section concerning Egypt's demise.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These prophecies were delivered by Ezekiel during the tumultuous period of the Babylonian exile (circa 593-571 BC). At this time, Judah, having already experienced the initial stages of Babylonian conquest, frequently looked to Egypt as a formidable potential ally against the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire, despite consistent prophetic warnings against such reliance. Pharaoh Hophra (also known as Apries) reigned in Egypt, a nation renowned for its ancient civilization, immense wealth, and considerable military might. Ezekiel's divine pronouncements directly challenged this misplaced trust, unequivocally asserting that Egypt, like all other nations, was ultimately subservient to Yahweh's supreme authority. The "heathen" or "nations" (H1471, _gôwy_) in this specific context primarily refer to Egypt and its allied gentile peoples, highlighting that God's judgment extends far beyond Israel to encompass all who defy His divine plan or place their confidence in their own strength. The potent imagery of a "cloudy day" (H6051, _ʻânân_) would have deeply resonated with ancient Near Eastern understandings of divine manifestation and judgment, which were frequently associated with tempestuous storms, impenetrable darkness, and overwhelming chaos.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically underscores the **imminent divine judgment** that God executes upon nations for their inherent pride, pervasive idolatry, and direct opposition to His sovereign will, as vividly illustrated in the broader context of God's judgments on other nations throughout [Ezekiel 25-28](/ezekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25-28 - Prophecies Against Nations"). Secondly, it introduces or reiterates the profound and recurring prophetic motif of **"the Day of the LORD"** (H3117, _yôwm_ H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), signifying a decisive time of divine intervention, which invariably involves both judgment for God's adversaries and vindication for His covenant people. While this concept often carries eschatological overtones, here it specifically points to a concrete historical judgment against Egypt, akin to the pronouncements of judgment described in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon") or [Joel 2](/joel/2 "Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord"). Thirdly, the evocative imagery of a **"cloudy day"** (H6051, _ʻânân_) powerfully symbolizes the overwhelming, dark, and despairing nature of God's righteous wrath, a motif also vividly expressed in [Zephaniah 1:15](/zephaniah/1-15 "Zephaniah 1:15 - The Great Day of the Lord"). Finally, the phrase **"time of the heathen"** (H6256, _ʻêth_ H1471, _gôwy_) profoundly emphasizes God's universal sovereignty, demonstrating beyond doubt that His authority extends over all nations, not exclusively Israel, and that their period of self-reliance, pagan practices, and rebellion is ultimately subject to His supreme and unchangeable decree.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Hebrew, _yôwm'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to be hot," this term fundamentally refers to a day, whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next) or figurative, denoting a "space of time defined by an associated term." In Ezekiel 30:3, its emphatic repetition ("For the day is near, even the day... is near") underscores the specific, divinely appointed and inescapable time of divine intervention, signifying not merely a 24-hour period, but a significant, decisive era of judgment.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** Originating from the root "to be," this is the proper, self-revealed name of the self-Existent or Eternal God, the covenant God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or Yahweh. Its explicit inclusion alongside "day" ("the day of the LORD") profoundly signifies that this impending "day" is not a random or natural occurrence but a divinely orchestrated and executed judgment by the sovereign God of Israel, asserting His absolute authority over all nations, including the seemingly invincible Egypt.
* **heathen (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** Rarely shortened, this term primarily denotes a "foreign nation" or "Gentile," distinguishing them from Israel, God's covenant people. Figuratively, it can also refer to a troop of animals or a flight of locusts, emphasizing a large, often undifferentiated mass. In this verse, "the time of the heathen" specifically identifies the targets of God's imminent judgment as the Gentile nations, with Egypt and its allies being the immediate focus, powerfully highlighting that God's divine reckoning extends universally to all peoples who oppose His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near":** This powerful and emphatic repetition serves to underscore the absolute certainty, swift approach, and undeniable inevitability of God's impending judgment. It transforms a mere statement into an urgent, almost alarm-like pronouncement, highlighting that this is not a distant threat but an immediate, inescapable reality. The "day of the LORD" is thus presented as a specific, divinely appointed time of decisive and overwhelming intervention.
* **"a cloudy day":** This vivid and somber imagery profoundly describes the very nature of the approaching "day." A "cloudy day" evokes a sense of impenetrable darkness, deep gloom, profound distress, and an overwhelming feeling of foreboding. It symbolizes the comprehensive and pervasive nature of God's righteous wrath, effectively obscuring all light, hope, and clarity for those who are facing its terrifying manifestation, much like a thick, oppressive storm cloud portends imminent disaster.
* **"it shall be the time of the heathen."**: This conclusive clause precisely specifies the primary recipients and victims of this impending judgment. The "heathen" (or "nations") refers specifically to the gentile nations, with Egypt being the central focus within this particular prophetic context. It unequivocally signifies that the appointed period for their pride, self-reliance, idolatry, and defiant opposition to God's will has definitively come to an end, and they will now face the just and severe consequences of their actions under the unyielding hand of God's sovereign decree.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:3 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and dire message. The most striking is **Repetition**, specifically the emphatic reiteration of the phrase "the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near." This powerful doubling serves to amplify the certainty and immediacy of the divine judgment, creating an undeniable sense of inevitability and pressing urgency for the audience. **Imagery** is vividly employed with the phrase "a cloudy day," which paints a stark picture of darkness, gloom, and despair. This visual metaphor powerfully symbolizes the overwhelming and oppressive nature of God's impending wrath and the complete absence of clarity or hope for those under divine condemnation. This imagery also functions as profound **Symbolism**, where the "cloudy day" represents not merely meteorological conditions but a spiritual, existential, and inescapable state of divine judgment and condemnation. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Prophetic Announcement**, a hallmark of Ezekiel's literary style, where a divine decree is declared with absolute authority and unwavering conviction, leaving no room for doubt regarding its certain and complete fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:3 profoundly articulates the fundamental theological truth of God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all nations, coupled with His unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. The "Day of the LORD" is not merely a singular historical event but a recurring, dynamic motif woven throughout the fabric of Scripture, consistently signifying a divinely appointed time when God decisively intervenes in human affairs to judge sin, dismantle rebellion, and ultimately vindicate His own holy character and righteous purposes. This verse emphatically highlights that no nation, regardless of its perceived power, wealth, or self-sufficiency, is exempt from divine scrutiny or the ultimate reckoning of God's judgment. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that all worldly power, human alliances, and self-reliant systems are ultimately fleeting and ephemeral, and that true, enduring security rests solely in the sovereign God who holds all times, seasons, and the destinies of nations firmly within His omnipotent hand. The prophesied judgment on Egypt, a prominent ancient symbol of worldly strength, idolatry, and human pride, powerfully foreshadows God's ultimate and universal reckoning with all forms of rebellion and opposition against His divine authority.

* [Isaiah 13:6](/isaiah/13-6 "Isaiah 13:6 - The Day of the LORD is at hand")
* [Zephaniah 1:14-15](/zephaniah/1-14-15 "Zephaniah 1:14-15 - The Great Day of the LORD")
* [Amos 5:18](/amos/5-18 "Amos 5:18 - Woe to you who desire the Day of the LORD!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:3 calls us to a profound and searching reflection on the immutable character of God and our own posture within His grand, sovereign plan for history. The concept of "the Day of the LORD" transcends its immediate historical context, serving as an eternal reminder that God remains actively and intimately involved in human history, meticulously bringing about His divine purposes and holding all nations, and indeed all individuals, accountable for their actions. This verse challenges us to critically examine our own allegiances and sources of security: do we, like ancient Judah, place our ultimate trust in fleeting worldly powers, economic stability, human ingenuity, or political alliances, or do we truly and wholeheartedly rely on the Almighty God who orchestrates all times and seasons with perfect wisdom and justice? The evocative "cloudy day" imagery should instill a healthy, reverent fear of God's righteous judgment, prompting genuine repentance and a decisive turning towards Him. For those who are believers, it offers profound comfort, knowing that our God is perfectly just and will ultimately set all things right, even when the world appears chaotic or unjust. For those who do not yet know Him, it stands as a sober and urgent warning to seek Him earnestly while He may still be found, before their own "time of the heathen" arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "the Day of the LORD" challenge my reliance on worldly security, human strength, or personal accomplishments?**
* **In what specific ways might I be prone to placing my trust in "the heathen" (i.e., secular systems, cultural trends, or human ideologies) rather than in God's ultimate sovereignty?**
* **What "cloudy days" of judgment, difficulty, or disillusionment have I experienced in my own life, and how did they reveal God's hand or call me to a deeper, more authentic faith?**

### FAQ

**What is the primary message of Ezekiel 30:3 regarding God's relationship with nations?**

Answer: The primary and profound message of Ezekiel 30:3 is that God's absolute sovereignty extends universally over all nations, not merely over Israel. It powerfully declares that even the most formidable and seemingly self-sufficient empires, such as ancient Egypt, are entirely subject to His divine judgment and that He will intervene decisively and precisely in their affairs. The verse underscores that there is a divinely appointed "time" for every nation, and God holds them fully accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, pervasive idolatry, and defiant opposition to His will. This truth fundamentally demonstrates that God is the ultimate and supreme ruler of all history, meticulously orchestrating events among all peoples and kingdoms, as profoundly articulated in passages like [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 30:3 speaks of a specific historical judgment against ancient Egypt, the broader, overarching concept of "the Day of the LORD" finds its ultimate, most profound, and universal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "cloudy day" of judgment, initially directed at particular rebellious nations, powerfully points forward to the final, comprehensive, and universal judgment that Christ Himself will execute upon all humanity. He is the one who will return in glorious power, often depicted as coming with clouds, to judge both the living and the dead, meticulously separating the righteous from the unrighteous, as vividly described in [Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations"). The declaration that "it shall be the time of the heathen" reaching its appointed end foreshadows Christ's triumphant establishment of His eternal and unshakeable kingdom, where all earthly kingdoms and their inherent rebellion against God will be decisively brought to an end, and He will reign supreme as King of kings and Lord of lords, as gloriously prophesied in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord"). Thus, the judgment proclaimed in Ezekiel serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate triumph of Christ, who is simultaneously the righteous Judge of all the earth and the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, thereby offering redemptive salvation to all who believe, even from among the very "heathen" or nations, as beautifully depicted in [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - Redeemed from Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation").

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

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.