Ezekiel 32:6

Ezekiel 32:6 presents a stark and terrifying image of divine judgment against Egypt and its proud Pharaoh, continuing the prophetic oracle begun in the previous verses. This verse graphically describes the utter devastation and widespread slaughter that would befall the nation, likening the land and its waters to being saturated with the blood of the slain.

Context

This verse is part of a series of "burdens" or oracles against foreign nations delivered by the prophet Ezekiel, who was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Specifically, Ezekiel 32 is an lamentation (a funeral dirge) for Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and his entire nation. In earlier verses, Pharaoh is depicted as a great sea monster or crocodile, a symbol of immense power and pride, which God promises to capture and drag out of its waters. The judgment described here is a direct consequence of Egypt's arrogance, its unholy alliances, and its opposition to God's people. The prophecy serves not only as a declaration of God's sovereignty over all nations but also as a message of hope and reassurance to the exiles that their oppressors and false hopes (like relying on Egypt) would ultimately fall.

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse vividly portrays God's active role in bringing about the catastrophic downfall of Egypt. It underscores the principle that God holds nations accountable for their pride and wickedness.
• Total Devastation: The imagery of "watering the land with blood" and "rivers full of thee" signifies a complete and overwhelming defeat, resulting in immense loss of life. It's a picture of absolute annihilation and humiliation for a once-mighty power.
• Consequences of Pride: Pharaoh's arrogance, likened to a great beast of the sea, is a central theme throughout Ezekiel's oracles against Egypt. This verse illustrates the grim outcome of such pride that precedes a fall.
• God's Unquestionable Power: Despite Egypt's formidable military and cultural influence, this prophecy asserts that no earthly power can withstand the sovereign will and judgment of the Almighty God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "water" (שָׁקָה, shaqah) typically means to give drink or to irrigate. Its use here, "I will also water with thy blood," is a grim and powerful metaphor. It transforms the life-giving act of watering into a scene of death, implying that the land itself will "drink" the blood of the slaughtered Egyptians. This emphasizes the sheer volume of bloodshed and the pervasive nature of the judgment. The phrase "wherein thou swimmest" alludes to Egypt's vast territory and the Nile River, its lifeblood, suggesting that the very source of its power and prosperity would become saturated with its own demise.

Practical Application

While this prophecy details a specific historical judgment against ancient Egypt, its principles resonate today:

• Accountability of Nations: It serves as a stark reminder that God is just and holds all nations and their leaders accountable for their actions, particularly their pride, oppression, and disregard for divine law.
• Warning Against Arrogance: The fall of Pharaoh and Egypt is a timeless warning against both national and personal pride. It teaches that true strength and security come from humility and reliance on God, not from earthly power or self-sufficiency.
• God's Sovereignty: For believers, this passage reinforces the comforting truth that God is ultimately in control, even amidst the rise and fall of earthly empires. His purposes will prevail, and He rules in the kingdom of men.
• Justice for the Oppressed: For those who are suffering under oppressive regimes, such prophecies affirm God's commitment to justice and His eventual intervention on behalf of the downtrodden.