Ezekiel 29 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of Ezekiel 29

The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first group of Israelites taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC, and he received his prophetic visions and messages while living in exile. Ezekiel delivers a prophecy against Egypt, a powerful nation that had long been a rival and threat to Israel in this chapter. The chapter foreshadows the downfall of Egypt and its king, as well as the eventual restoration of Israel. Ezekiel draws connections to other biblical events, such as the Exodus, to emphasize the significance of this prophecy. As we delve into this chapter, Ezekiel sheds light on the larger narrative of God’s dealings with His people and the nations around them. The prophecy against Egypt serves as a warning and a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, while also offering hope for the future restoration of Israel.

Ezekiel 29:1-6

The prophet Ezekiel delivers a message from the Lord concerning Egypt in Ezekiel 29:1-6. The Lord speaks through Ezekiel, addressing Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and declares judgment upon him and his people for their pride and arrogance.

The section begins with Ezekiel setting the stage by revealing the word of the Lord coming to him in the tenth year, the tenth month, and the twelfth day. This specific date marks an important point in Ezekiel’s ministry, highlighting the divine timing of the prophecy being delivered to the people. It underscores the significance of this message from God, emphasizing the authority and urgency behind the words spoken through the prophet.

The focus then shifts to Pharaoh, whom the Lord likens to a great monster or dragon in the midst of his streams, boasting of creating the Nile River for himself. This imagery is symbolic of Egypt’s pride and self-exaltation, viewing themselves as the creators and rulers of their domain, rather than acknowledging the true Creator, God Himself. The arrogance displayed by Pharaoh reflects the sinful nature of mankind to exalt themselves above God, a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

God then reveals His plans to bring judgment upon Egypt as a way to humble them and demonstrate His supremacy over all nations. The Lord declares that He will put hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws, referring to a common practice in ancient times to control and lead captive sea creatures. This vivid language paints a picture of God’s sovereignty and power to control the destinies of kings and nations according to His will.

The consequences of Egypt’s pride are made clear as God announces their downfall and the desolation of their land. This serves as a warning to all nations that exalt themselves above God, reminding them of the inevitable consequences of pride and disobedience. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where God humbles the proud and exalts the humble, emphasizing the importance of humility and submission to His authority. Ezekiel 29:1-6 conveys a powerful message about the dangers of pride and arrogance in the eyes of God. It serves as a reminder that all rulers and nations are subject to the sovereignty of God, who reigns supreme over all the earth. The prophecies against Egypt also point to the broader theme of God’s judgment on the nations and His ultimate plan to establish His kingdom on earth. It prompts us to reflect on our own hearts and attitudes, ensuring that we remain humble before the Lord and acknowledge His rightful place as the one true King.

Ezekiel 29:7-12

The verses in Ezekiel 29:7-12 speak of judgment and punishment upon Egypt. Let’s break this down section by section for a deeper understanding.

Starting with verses 7-9, it says, “When they grasped you with the hand, you splintered and tore open their all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake. Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. The imagery used in these verses is vivid and powerful. Egypt is depicted as a staff, something that was supposed to support others, but when leaned upon, it caused harm. The Lord God is proclaiming that because Egypt failed in its role and harmed those who leaned on it, it will face severe consequences. This serves as a reminder that those who are in positions of influence or power will be held accountable for how they use that power. It highlights the importance of responsibility and the consequences of causing harm to others due to misuse of authority.

Moving on to verses 10-12, it mentions, “Therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries.”

Here, the prophecy foretells a desolation and devastation that would befall Egypt. The entire land would be uninhabited for forty years, showing the severity of the judgment that God was bringing upon them. The scattering of the Egyptians among the nations emphasizes the consequences of disobedience and serves as a warning that God’s judgment is inevitable. This also reflects the consequences of turning away from God and the need for repentance. It shows that God’s justice is impartial and that there are consequences for all nations and peoples when they go against His will. These verses fit into the overall theme of judgment and restoration in the broader context of Ezekiel. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, we see a pattern of sin, judgment, exile, and the promise of restoration for God’s people. The prophecy against Egypt serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all nations and that His justice is perfect and unavoidable. It underscores the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience. This passage also points towards the ultimate redemption and restoration that God promises for those who repent and turn back to Him, showing that even in the midst of judgment, there is always hope for restoration through God’s mercy and grace.

Ezekiel 29:13-16

God speaks through the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 29:13-16 to deliver a message of judgment against Egypt. Breaking down the verse into important sections, the sections in question are:

1. “Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered.” (Ezekiel 29:13)
2. “And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.” (Ezekiel 29:14)
3. “It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.” (Ezekiel 29:15)
4. “And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. God reveals His plan to gather the Egyptians back to their land after forty years of being scattered among other nations. This shows God’s sovereignty over all nations and His ability to control their destinies. It also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s will, as disobedience led to Egypt’s exile.

The second section speaks of God restoring Egypt from captivity, bringing them back to their homeland, Pathros. However, they will not regain their former glory but will be a humble, lowly kingdom. This serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and disobedience. Egypt’s once great power and influence will be diminished. The prophecy in the third section foretells that Egypt will become the basest of kingdoms, never rising above other nations again. This highlights the consequences of arrogance and self-exaltation, as God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. This prediction reinforces the theme of God’s justice and the inevitable downfall of those who oppose Him.

Lastly, in the fourth section, Egypt is no longer to be a source of confidence for Israel. This signals a shift in Israel’s dependence, from looking to Egypt for help to relying solely on God. It serves as a reminder that true security and salvation come from the Lord alone, not from alliances with worldly powers.

This passage emphasizes themes of obedience, humility, justice, and reliance on God throughout the Bible. It also showcases God’s sovereignty over nations and His faithfulness to fulfill His purposes, even through judgment. We see a consistent pattern of God’s dealings with nations based on their obedience or disobedience to His commands when comparing these verses to other passages in the Bible. The rise and fall of Egypt serve as a lesson for all nations to heed God’s word and walk in His ways to avoid His judgment.

Ezekiel 29:17-21

Examine a few important sections in Ezekiel 29:17-21. Let’s break it down:

1. The word of the Lord came to me in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month on the first day. The specific date mentioned here indicates a point in time where Ezekiel received this particular revelation from God.

2. **”Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare and every shoulder made raw. Yet he and his army got no reward from the campaign he led against Tyre. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led a strenuous campaign against the city of Tyre in this section. Despite the hardships endured by both his army and the people of Tyre, there was no significant gain or reward achieved by Nebuchadnezzar through this campaign. This highlights the unpredictability of human endeavors and the importance of recognizing that even the most powerful rulers are subject to the will of God.

3. “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as pay for his army.”
   Here, God declares His plan to give Egypt to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. This decision is portrayed as a form of recompense for Nebuchadnezzar’s efforts against Tyre. It serves as a reminder of God’s authority over nations and His ability to use even the actions of pagan rulers to fulfill His purposes.

4. “I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
   This statement reaffirms that the hand of God is at work even through the actions of foreign kings like Nebuchadnezzar. Despite Nebuchadnezzar’s motivations being driven by personal gain and conquest, the ultimate purpose behind his victories is attributed to God’s sovereign plan. This serves as a powerful reminder that God can use any means to accomplish His will, even through those who do not acknowledge Him. When examining these verses, consider the broader theme of God’s sovereignty and ultimate control over the affairs of nations. The account of Nebuchadnezzar’s campaigns against Tyre and Egypt underscores the principle that human powers and achievements are ultimately subject to the divine will. This narrative aligns with the overarching biblical theme of God’s plan unfolding through history, utilizing even the actions of pagan rulers to bring about His purposes. This serves as a poignant reminder for believers to trust in God’s sovereign authority, even in the midst of tumultuous geopolitical events.

After Ezekiel 29

The Lord had spoken to Ezekiel, revealing the fate of Egypt. The nation would be laid waste, its people scattered. Yet, even in this judgment, the Lord promised restoration. Ezekiel knew the people’s hearts would be stirred as the chapter drew to a close. They would await the next word from the Lord, eager to understand His plan for their future. For the Lord’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We shall now turn to the next chapter, where we will see how the Lord will continue to unfold His divine purpose.