Ezekiel 30:9

In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.

In that day {H3117} shall messengers {H4397} go forth {H3318} from me {H6440} in ships {H6716} to make the careless {H983} Ethiopians {H3568} afraid {H2729}, and great pain {H2479} shall come upon them, as in the day {H3117} of Egypt {H4714}: for, lo, it cometh {H935}.

When that day comes, I will send out messengers in ships to terrify the unsuspecting Ethiopians; and anguish will overcome them on the day of Egypt. Yes, here it comes!

On that day messengers will go out from Me in ships to frighten Cush out of complacency. Anguish will come upon them on the day of Egyptโ€™s doom. For it is indeed coming.

In that day shall messengers go forth from before me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid; and there shall be anguish upon them, as in the day of Egypt; for, lo, it cometh.

Commentary

Ezekiel 30:9 is part of a larger divine oracle delivered through the prophet Ezekiel, primarily detailing God's judgment against ancient Egypt and its allies. This verse specifically highlights the far-reaching impact of that judgment, extending to the distant nation of Ethiopia, known as Cush in Hebrew.

Context

This verse is situated within Ezekiel's extensive prophecies against foreign nations (Ezekiel chapters 25-32), with a significant portion dedicated to Egypt (chapters 29-32). God declares that Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, would be His instrument to bring about Egypt's downfall, turning its fertile lands into a desolate waste (Ezekiel 29:10). The phrase "In that day" refers to the day of this impending judgment. Ethiopia (Cush) was a powerful kingdom south of Egypt, often allied with or influential over it. The "careless Ethiopians" suggests a nation living in a false sense of security, perhaps relying on their geographical distance or perceived strength, unaware of the impending fear and pain that would come upon them as a direct result of Egypt's collapse.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty Over Nations: The prophecy underscores that God's authority and judgment extend beyond Israel to all nations, holding them accountable for their pride, alliances, and actions.
  • Widespread Impact of Judgment: The fall of a major power like Egypt would not be isolated; its allies and supporters, such as Ethiopia, would inevitably suffer the repercussions. This demonstrates the interconnectedness of nations under God's watchful eye.
  • Certainty of Prophecy: The emphatic declaration "for, lo, it cometh" emphasizes the absolute certainty and imminence of God's prophetic word. What God declares will surely come to pass.
  • Consequences of Complacency: The "careless Ethiopians" illustrate the danger of false security and relying on worldly strength or alliances rather than acknowledging God's ultimate power and purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "careless" (sha'anan - ืฉึทืืึฒื ึธืŸ) conveys a sense of ease, security, or even complacency, often implying a lack of concern or preparedness for impending danger. This stands in stark contrast to the "great pain" (tsirah gedolah - ืฆึดื™ืจึธื” ื’ึฐื“ึนืœึธื”) that is prophesied to afflict them. The mention of "messengers go forth from me in ships" (ืึณื ึดื™ึผื•ึนืช - oniyyot) suggests a naval element or swift communication by sea, perhaps indicating the rapid spread of news about Egypt's defeat, or even Babylonian forces impacting the region by water, reaching distant shores to instill fear.

Related Scriptures

The phrase "as in the day of Egypt" powerfully harks back to the plagues and the Exodus event, particularly the destruction of Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:28), serving as a historical precedent for the severity of God's judgment. Other prophets also spoke of judgment against Egypt and its allies, such as in Isaiah 20:4 and Jeremiah 46:1-26.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 30:9 serves as a timeless reminder that God's judgment is impartial and comprehensive. It warns against a spirit of complacency, especially when we place our trust in worldly power, wealth, or alliances rather than in God. Just as ancient Ethiopia faced consequences for its connection to a proud and defiant Egypt, this verse calls us to examine our own allegiances and ensure our security is founded on God's unwavering character and promises. The certainty of God's word, "it cometh," should prompt us to take His warnings seriously and to live in humble submission to His ultimate sovereignty over all of history and our personal lives.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 18:1

    ยถ Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which [is] beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:

  • Isaiah 18:2

    That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, [saying], Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!

  • Isaiah 23:5

    As at the report concerning Egypt, [so] shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.

  • Ezekiel 32:9

    I will also vex the hearts of many people, when I shall bring thy destruction among the nations, into the countries which thou hast not known.

  • Ezekiel 32:10

    Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, and their kings shall be horribly afraid for thee, when I shall brandish my sword before them; and they shall tremble at [every] moment, every man for his own life, in the day of thy fall.

  • 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;

  • Zephaniah 2:15

    This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.
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