Ezekiel 30:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:6 pronounces a definitive divine judgment against Egypt and all who rely upon its strength, declaring that both its supporters and its formidable power, symbolized by its pride, will utterly collapse. This prophetic utterance, spanning the entire breadth of the land from Migdol to Syene, underscores the futility of trusting in human might and the absolute sovereignty of the Lord God over all nations and earthly endeavors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 30 is part of a larger section of prophecies against foreign nations, specifically chapters 29-32, which are dedicated to the judgment of Egypt. These oracles immediately follow prophecies against Tyre and precede a lament over Egypt. Within chapter 30 itself, verses 1-19 detail the "Day of the Lord" against Egypt, describing a widespread and devastating judgment that will leave the land desolate. This particular verse, Ezekiel 30:6, serves as a foundational declaration of the comprehensive nature of this impending doom, setting the stage for the more detailed descriptions of destruction that follow. It emphasizes not only Egypt's fall but also the downfall of those who had placed their trust in its power, echoing themes of divine justice found throughout the book of [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies against Egypt were delivered during a tumultuous period in the ancient Near East, specifically the early 6th century BCE, when the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II was ascendant. Judah, already exiled to Babylon, had a long history of vacillating alliances, often looking to Egypt for support against dominant Mesopotamian powers. Culturally, Egypt was renowned for its ancient civilization, immense wealth, military strength, and perceived invincibility, symbolized by its mighty Nile River and fortified cities. The mention of "the tower of Syene" (modern Aswan) signifies the southernmost border of Egypt, often paired with Migdol in the north (though Migdol is not explicitly mentioned in this verse, it is a common merism for the whole land, as seen in [Ezekiel 29:10](/ezekiel/29-10 "Ezekiel 29:10 - From Migdol to Syene")). This geographical reference emphasizes the total and inescapable nature of the judgment, extending throughout the entire land.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**, demonstrating that even the most powerful earthly kingdoms, like Egypt, are subject to God's ultimate authority and judgment. No human power can withstand His decree. Secondly, it addresses the theme of **Consequences of False Alliances**, warning against the futility of trusting in human strength rather than in God. Those who "uphold Egypt" – nations or individuals who place their hope in its power – will share in its downfall. This resonates with warnings found in [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help") and [Jeremiah 37:7](/jeremiah/37-7 "Jeremiah 37:7 - The Egyptian army will return to its own land"). Thirdly, the verse underscores **Divine Judgment on National Pride and Arrogance**. Egypt's "pride of her power" is explicitly targeted, illustrating the biblical principle that God opposes the proud and brings down the haughty, a truth echoed in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction") and [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God opposes the proud").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pride (Hebrew, _gâʼôwn'_):** From H1347, this term denotes arrogance, majesty, excellency, pomp, or swelling. In this context, it specifically refers to Egypt's self-exaltation, its boasting in its own military might, wealth, and perceived invincibility. It signifies the very essence of Egypt's hubris that God intends to humble.
* **Fall (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** From H5307, this primitive root means to descend, to fall, or to be cast down. Its repetition in the verse ("shall fall," "shall they fall") emphasizes the certainty, totality, and devastating nature of the collapse. It implies not just a defeat but a complete and irreversible downfall.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** From H2719, this refers to a cutting instrument, specifically a sword, axe, or dagger, often signifying war, violence, and destructive judgment. Its mention here indicates that the downfall of Egypt and its supporters will be a violent military conquest, a direct act of divine retribution executed through human agents (likely the Babylonians).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD;"**: This opening phrase, a common prophetic formula, establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. It is not merely Ezekiel's opinion or prediction, but a direct decree from YHWH (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the covenant-keeping God of Israel, emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of what follows.
* **"They also that uphold Egypt shall fall;"**: This clause expands the scope of judgment beyond Egypt itself to include any nations or individuals who have supported Egypt, relied on its strength, or formed alliances with it. The Hebrew word for "uphold" (H5564, çâmak) implies leaning upon, resting on, or sustaining. Their fall is directly linked to Egypt's, illustrating the futility and danger of misplaced trust in worldly powers.
* **"and the pride of her power shall come down:"**: This is a direct attack on Egypt's core identity and source of confidence. "Pride" (H1347, gâʼôwn) refers to its arrogance and self-exaltation, while "power" (H5797, ʻôz) signifies its strength, might, and security. The phrase "shall come down" (H3381, yârad) reinforces the idea of humiliation and reduction from a position of eminence. God targets not just Egypt's physical strength but the very spirit of its haughtiness.
* **"from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword,"**: This specifies the geographical extent and the violent means of the judgment. "The tower of Syene" (H4024, Migdôwl, and H5482, Çᵉvênêh) represents the southernmost boundary of Egypt, implying that the judgment will sweep across the entire land, from its northernmost point (often Migdol, though not in this specific verse) to its southern extreme. The phrase "by the sword" (H2719, chereb) confirms that this will be a military defeat, a violent and destructive conquest.
* **"saith the Lord GOD."**: This concluding phrase, again a divine oracle formula, reiterates the divine authority and unchangeable nature of the prophecy. "Lord GOD" (H136, ʼĂdônây, and H3069, Yᵉhôvih) combines two powerful names for God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and His role as the ultimate ruler and judge.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Repetition** of the verb "fall" (Hebrew, _nâphal_) underscores the certainty and comprehensiveness of the destruction, creating a sense of inescapable doom. The phrase "pride of her power" utilizes **Personification**, attributing human qualities (pride) to an abstract concept (power) or to the nation of Egypt itself, highlighting the moral dimension of their downfall. The mention of "the tower of Syene" serves as a form of **Merism**, representing the entirety of Egypt from one extreme to another (often paired with Migdol, though only Syene is named here, it still implies a comprehensive geographical scope). Finally, the recurring phrases "Thus saith the LORD" and "saith the Lord GOD" are classic examples of the **Divine Oracle Formula**, which authenticates the prophecy as a direct word from God, emphasizing His ultimate authority and the unalterable nature of His decree.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:6 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that all earthly power and human pride are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of God. It serves as a stark reminder that reliance on anything other than the Lord leads to inevitable downfall, as even the most formidable nations are but fleeting shadows before His eternal might. The judgment on Egypt, a symbol of worldly strength and self-sufficiency, highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and His opposition to human arrogance. This prophecy reinforces the understanding that God alone is the true source of security and stability, and that His kingdom will ultimately prevail over all earthly empires.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in chariots for their multitude and in horsemen for their great strength, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary life, challenging both individuals and nations to reassess the foundations of their security and confidence. In a world that often values power, wealth, and self-sufficiency, this verse serves as a potent corrective, reminding us that all human achievements and systems are temporal and fallible. Do we, like ancient Egypt, place our ultimate trust in our own abilities, financial stability, political influence, or military might? Or do we recognize that true and lasting security is found only in the sovereign God, who alone is immutable and all-powerful? This passage calls us to cultivate humility, to acknowledge God's ultimate authority over all circumstances, and to shift our reliance from fleeting earthly strengths to the eternal and unfailing power of the Lord. It encourages us to live with a God-centered perspective, understanding that genuine stability and peace come from aligning our lives with His will, rather than from building towers of pride that are destined to fall.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Egypts" or sources of worldly power do I tend to rely on for security or identity, rather than God?**
* **How does the concept of God bringing down "the pride of her power" challenge my own tendencies towards self-reliance or arrogance?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to re-evaluate my trust, shifting from human strength to divine sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "the tower of Syene" in this verse?**

Answer: "The tower of Syene" (modern Aswan) refers to a city located at the traditional southernmost border of ancient Egypt. Its mention is significant because it, along with Migdol (often considered the northernmost point, though not explicitly in this verse), formed a merism, a literary device used to indicate the entirety of a geographical area. Therefore, stating that judgment would extend "from the tower of Syene" signifies that the divine judgment would sweep across the entire land of Egypt, from its northern to its southernmost reaches, ensuring that no part of the nation would escape the impending destruction. It emphasizes the comprehensiveness and inescapable nature of God's decree against Egypt, as seen in other prophecies like [Ezekiel 29:10](/ezekiel/29-10 "Ezekiel 29:10 - From Migdol to Syene").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 30:6 describes a historical judgment on an earthly kingdom, its theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Egypt, a symbol of worldly power, pride, and opposition to God's people, ultimately points to the spiritual forces and human systems that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. Christ's coming represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's judgment against all such pride and power. He is the true King whose kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My kingdom is not of this world")), yet He exercises ultimate authority over all earthly and spiritual dominions. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Christ disarmed and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing over principalities and powers")). The "pride of her power" that came down in Egypt foreshadows the definitive defeat of sin, death, and the devil through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Those who "uphold Egypt" – those who trust in worldly systems and human strength – are called to turn to Christ, the only true foundation and source of salvation ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ")). Ultimately, the judgment on Egypt anticipates the final day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, demonstrating that all earthly powers will ultimately yield to the supreme reign of the [Lamb of God](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Rider on the White Horse"), who judges and makes war in righteousness.

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 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.