Ezekiel 30:6

Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; They also that uphold {H5564} Egypt {H4714} shall fall {H5307}; and the pride {H1347} of her power {H5797} shall come down {H3381}: from the tower {H4024} of Syene {H5482} shall they fall {H5307} in it by the sword {H2719}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

"ADONAI says this: 'Those supporting Egypt will fall; its arrogant power will be brought down; from Migdol to S'venah they will die by the sword,' says Adonai ELOHIM.

For this is what the LORD says: The allies of Egypt will fall, and her proud strength will collapse. From Migdol to Syene they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Lord GOD.

Thus saith Jehovah: They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Seveneh shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

Context

Ezekiel 30 is part of a series of prophecies delivered by the prophet Ezekiel against the nation of Egypt, a powerful regional player in the ancient Near East. These prophecies were given during the time of Judah's exile to Babylon, when many in Israel still looked to Egypt as a potential ally against the rising Babylonian empire. This specific verse, Ezekiel 30:6, emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment upon Egypt and all who relied upon her.

Historically, Egypt was known for its immense wealth, military strength, and long-standing civilization. However, God, through Ezekiel, declares that even this formidable power would be humbled. The judgment foretold here was largely fulfilled through the campaigns of Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon against Egypt in the early 6th century BC, demonstrating that no nation, however mighty, is beyond divine sovereignty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on National Pride: The phrase "the pride of her power shall come down" highlights a central biblical theme: God opposes the proud (Proverbs 16:18). Egypt's self-reliance and boasting in its military might and perceived invincibility would be shattered. This serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly power is ultimately subject to God's will.
  • Consequences of False Alliances: "They also that uphold Egypt shall fall." This speaks to the futility of trusting in human alliances or worldly strength rather than God. Many nations and even Judah itself had at times sought Egypt's help, only to find it a "broken reed" (Isaiah 36:6). This verse warns against misplaced trust in anything other than the Lord.
  • Comprehensiveness of Judgment: The phrase "from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword" signifies the utter and widespread destruction. Syene (modern Aswan) was a city at the southern border of ancient Egypt, indicating that the judgment would extend throughout the entire land, from its northern to its southernmost points. This portrays a complete and inescapable defeat.

Linguistic Insights

The name Syene (ืกึฐื•ึตื ึตื”, sevฤ“nฤ“h) is significant as it marks the traditional southern boundary of ancient Egypt, often paired with Migdol in the north to denote the full extent of the land. Its inclusion emphasizes that the judgment would sweep across the entire nation, leaving no part untouched. The repeated declaration "saith the Lord GOD" (ืึฒื“ึนื ึธื™ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึดื”, Adonai Yahweh) reinforces the divine authority and certainty of the prophecy, underscoring that this is not merely a political prediction but a decree from the sovereign God.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:6 carries timeless lessons for individuals and nations today. It challenges us to examine where we place our trust and derive our security. Do we rely on our wealth, power, human connections, or military strength? Or do we place our ultimate confidence in God?

The fall of Egypt, a symbol of earthly might, reminds us that all human systems and achievements are temporary and fallible. True and lasting security is found only in God, who is the ultimate upholder and source of strength. This verse encourages humility before God and a recognition that reliance on Him leads to true stability, unlike the fleeting pride of human power that is destined to come down.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 29:10

    Behold, therefore I [am] against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste [and] desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia.

  • Isaiah 20:3

    And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years [for] a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

  • Isaiah 20:6

    And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such [is] our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

  • Job 9:13

    [If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

  • Nahum 3:9

    Ethiopia and Egypt [were] her strength, and [it was] infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

  • Isaiah 31:3

    Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
โ† Back