Ezekiel 32:11

For thus saith the Lord GOD; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.

For thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; The sword {H2719} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} shall come {H935} upon thee.

"For Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'The sword of the king of Bavel will come against you.

For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you!

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.

Commentary on Ezekiel 32:11

Ezekiel 32:11 delivers a stark prophetic declaration from the Lord GOD concerning the imminent judgment upon Egypt, specifically through the hand of the Babylonian king. This verse is part of a larger lamentation (Ezekiel 32:1-16) directed at Pharaoh and Egypt, portraying their downfall as a mighty cedar tree cut down.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile of the Jewish people (6th century BC). At this time, Egypt was a prominent regional power, often seen as a potential ally or source of refuge for Judah against the rising dominance of Babylon. However, God consistently warned against relying on such worldly alliances. The "king of Babylon" refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the very ruler who had conquered Jerusalem and taken its inhabitants captive. God is here declaring that the same instrument He used to judge Judah would now be turned against Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over all nations and their leaders. Even powerful empires like Babylon and Egypt are mere instruments in His hand to accomplish His purposes.
  • Judgment on Pride: The preceding chapters in Ezekiel (29-31) detail Egypt's pride and self-exaltation, particularly Pharaoh's arrogance. This judgment is a direct consequence of that pride, illustrating the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction.
  • Futility of Earthly Power: Egypt, with its formidable army and resources, is shown to be utterly helpless before the decree of the Lord GOD and the "sword of the king of Babylon." This highlights the transience and ultimate impotence of human strength and alliances when opposed to God's will.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: The prophecy serves as a clear warning that God's declared judgments will inevitably come to pass, reinforcing His faithfulness to His word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lord GOD" is a translation of the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh, emphasizing God's supreme authority as the Sovereign Master (Adonai) and His covenant faithfulness as the self-existent God (Yahweh). The "sword" (Hebrew: chereb) is a common biblical metaphor for war, conquest, and divine judgment. In this context, it represents the destructive force of Nebuchadnezzar's army, acting as God's instrument of wrath.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 32:11 is a timeless reminder that all earthly powers, no matter how formidable, are ultimately subject to the will of God. For believers, it reinforces the call to place their trust in God alone, rather than in human institutions, political leaders, or military might. It encourages humility, recognizing that pride brings about a fall, and assures us that God remains in control of history, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate purposes, even using unexpected agents to achieve His justice. This verse offers comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all circumstances and nations, and His justice will prevail.

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.

  • Ezekiel 26:7

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.

  • Ezekiel 30:22

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.

  • Ezekiel 30:25

    But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

  • Ezekiel 30:4

    And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.

  • Jeremiah 43:10

    And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

  • Jeremiah 46:13

    The word that the LORD spake to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon should come [and] smite the land of Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 46:24

    The daughter of Egypt shall be confounded; she shall be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.

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