Bible Glide

Ezekiel 30

Ezekiel 30 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Ezekiel 30 announces a coming day of judgment against Egypt and its allies. The chapter describes military defeat, ruined cities, scattered people, and Pharaoh's broken strength. Through it all, the Lord shows that Egypt's power cannot stand and that the nations will know he is the LORD.

Read in ReaderShare Passage

What happens in Ezekiel 30?

This chapter opens with a lament over Egypt and a warning that the day of the LORD is near. The prophecy says Egypt will be struck by sword and fire, its allies will fall, and its wealth, cities, and leaders will be brought low. Several major places in Egypt are named as targets of judgment. The chapter then turns to Pharaoh himself, describing his broken arm as a sign that his power is failing. Babylon is strengthened, Egypt is scattered, and the repeated result is that people will know the LORD is acting in judgment.

Ezekiel 30 continues the series of prophecies against Egypt that began in the previous chapter. It comes at a time when Egypt represented political strength and a possible source of security for surrounding nations, including Judah. In the flow of Ezekiel, this chapter shows that earthly power, alliances, and military force cannot resist the Lord's rule.

Themes to notice

  • Judgment on EgyptThe Lord announces direct judgment against Egypt, its cities, and its ruling power.
  • Broken human strengthPharaoh's failing arm shows that military strength and pride cannot secure lasting power.
  • The Lord made knownThe repeated goal of the judgments is that the nations will know the LORD is acting.

Questions for Ezekiel 30

  • What does this chapter say about Egypt's strength and why it falls?
  • Why does Ezekiel repeat that the nations will know the LORD?
  • How does Pharaoh's broken arm picture the wider judgment on Egypt?

Read the full text of Ezekiel 30 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Ezekiel 30

A Lament for Egypt

1Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

2“Son of man, prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says:

Wail, ‘Alas

for that day!’

3For the day is near,

the Day of the LORD is near.

It will be a day of clouds,

a time of doom for the nations.

4A sword will come against Egypt,

and there will be anguish in Cush

when the slain fall in Egypt,

its wealth is taken away,

and its foundations are torn down.

5Cush, Put, and Lud,

and all the various peoples,

as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land,

will fall with Egypt by the sword.

6For this is what the LORD says:

The allies of Egypt will fall,

and her proud strength will collapse.

From Migdol to Syene

they will fall by the sword within her,

declares the Lord GOD.

7They will be desolate among desolate lands,

and their cities will lie among ruined cities.

8Then they will know that I am the LORD

when I set fire to Egypt

and all her helpers are shattered.

9On 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 Egypt’s doom. For it is indeed coming.

10This is what the Lord GOD says:

I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt

by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

11He and his people with him,

the most ruthless of the nations,

will be brought in to destroy the land.

They will draw their swords against Egypt

and fill the land with the slain.

12I will make the streams dry up

and sell the land to the wicked.

By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation

upon the land and everything in it.

I, the LORD, have spoken.

13This is what the Lord GOD says:

I will destroy the idols

and put an end to the images in Memphis.

There will no longer be a prince in Egypt,

and I will instill fear in that land.

14I will lay waste Pathros,

set fire to Zoan,

and execute judgment on Thebes.

15I will pour out My wrath on Pelusium,

the stronghold of Egypt,

and cut off the crowds of Thebes.

16I will set fire to Egypt,

Pelusium will writhe in anguish,

Thebes will be split open,

and Memphis will face daily distress.

17The young men of On and Pi-beseth

will fall by the sword,

and those cities will go into captivity.

18The day will be darkened in Tahpanhes

when I break the yoke of Egypt

and her proud strength comes to an end.

A cloud will cover her,

and her daughters will go into captivity.

19So I will execute judgment on Egypt,

and they will know that I am the LORD.”

Pharaoh’s Power Broken

20In the eleventh year, on the seventh day of the first month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying,21“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. See, it has not been bound up for healing, or splinted for strength to hold the sword.22Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand.23I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.24I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king and place My sword in his hand, but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, who will groan before him like a mortally wounded man.25I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon’s king, and he wields it against the land of Egypt.26I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Keep studying

Save notes and ask about Ezekiel 30

Create a free account to keep highlights and notes across devices, or open Bible Glide Chat with this passage already attached.

Create Free AccountAsk About This Passage