32:15 32:15

Ezekiel 32:16

32:17 32:17

Bible Versions

This [is] the lamentation wherewith they shall lament her: the daughters of the nations shall lament her: they shall lament for her, [even] for Egypt, and for all her multitude, saith the Lord GOD.
This is the lamentation {H7015} wherewith they shall lament {H6969} her: the daughters {H1323} of the nations {H1471} shall lament {H6969} her: they shall lament {H6969} for her, even for Egypt {H4714}, and for all her multitude {H1995}, saith {H5002} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.
This is the lament that they will raise; the daughters of the nations will use it to mourn; they will chant it for Egypt and all its hordes,' says Adonai ELOHIM."
This is the lament they will chant for her; the daughters of the nations will chant it. Over Egypt and all her multitudes they will chant it, declares the Lord GOD.”
This is the lamentation wherewith they shall lament; the daughters of the nations shall lament therewith; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they lament therewith, saith the Lord Jehovah.

Context of Ezekiel 32:16

Ezekiel 32:16 concludes a powerful and vivid prophetic lamentation (or dirge) delivered by the prophet Ezekiel concerning the impending downfall of ancient Egypt and its Pharaoh. This chapter is part of a larger section (chapters 29-32) dedicated to prophecies against Egypt, a nation that often served as a deceptive ally or a source of temptation for Israel, leading them away from trusting in the Lord. Earlier verses in chapter 32 portray Egypt as a great sea monster or a proud cedar of Lebanon, destined to be brought low by God's judgment, cast into the pit with other fallen nations. This specific verse emphasizes that the preceding dirge is not merely a private lament but a public, internationally recognized acknowledgment of Egypt's humiliation and demise.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Pride: The verse underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations, even powerful empires like Egypt. It highlights that no human power, however great or arrogant, can escape divine reckoning. The fall of Egypt serves as a stark reminder that God rules in the kingdom of men.
  • Widespread Impact of Judgment: The phrase "the daughters of the nations shall lament her" is crucial. It signifies that Egypt's collapse would not be a localized event but would be recognized and mourned by other nations. These "daughters" likely represent other peoples or states that either relied on Egypt, were allied with it, or simply witnessed its former glory and now its catastrophic end. This widespread lamentation confirms the magnitude of Egypt's fall and the far-reaching consequences of God's judgment.
  • Prophetic Certainty: The concluding phrase, "saith the Lord GOD," is a common prophetic formula that authenticates the message as divinely inspired and assures its certain fulfillment. It reinforces that this is not merely a human prediction but a declaration from the Almighty God, whose word does not return void.

Linguistic Insights

The word "lamentation" in Hebrew is qinah (קִינָה), which refers specifically to a dirge or funeral song. These were often composed and performed to mourn the dead, but in prophetic literature, they are frequently used to express deep sorrow and grief over the destruction or impending downfall of a city, nation, or people. This use of a funeral dirge for a living nation emphasizes the severity and certainty of its coming demise, treating it as already dead in God's eyes. Examples of such laments can be found throughout the prophetic books, notably in the Book of Lamentations itself.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 32:16 offers timeless lessons relevant for today:

  • Humility Before God: It reminds us that all earthly power and glory are temporary and subject to God's ultimate authority. It calls for humility, recognizing that true security and strength come from Him, not from human might or resources.
  • Consequences of Pride: The downfall of Egypt serves as a powerful illustration of the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall. Nations and individuals alike must be wary of arrogance and self-reliance, as these inevitably lead to judgment.
  • God's Justice Prevails: The prophecy assures us that God is just and will ultimately bring down oppressive or wicked powers. Even when evil seems to triumph, God's plan unfolds, and His righteousness will be demonstrated to all. This provides comfort and hope to those who suffer under injustice, knowing that vengeance belongs to the Lord.

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.

  • 2 Samuel 1:17

    ¶ And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

  • Ezekiel 32:2

    Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou [art] as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.

  • Ezekiel 26:17

    And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, [that wast] inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror [to be] on all that haunt it!

  • 2 Chronicles 35:25

    And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they [are] written in the lamentations.

  • 2 Samuel 3:33

    And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

  • 2 Samuel 3:34

    Thy hands [were] not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, [so] fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.

  • Jeremiah 9:17

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Consider ye, and call for the mourning women, that they may come; and send for cunning [women], that they may come:
 Back

Search Scripture