Tyndale Open Study NotesEzekiel 30

• This section contains a series of messages of judgment against nearby nations. There are six shorter messages against Judah's immediate neighbors, arranged in a clockwise order, followed by a final message against Egypt (Ezekiel 30–32). Through experiencing God's judgment, the nations would recognize God's control over everything. The nations might be used to carry out God's judgment on his people, but they would not avoid judgment themselves.

• One of the main purposes of these messages was to show that the negative part of God's promise to Abraham ("I will … curse those who curse you," Genesis 12:3) was still active. No one can harm God's people and avoid consequences, even when God's people are under his judgment.

• The seventh and final message of judgment against the nations targets Egypt, an old enemy and ally of Israel. This message is the longest and, like the one against Tyre, it addresses both Egypt and its ruler.

• Egypt often tempted Israel and Judah to turn away from their loyalty to the Lord. Soon after leaving Egypt, Israel fell into the trap of Egypt's idolatry. Egypt led Judah to rely on chariots and horses instead of the Lord, but Egypt was unreliable when it mattered most. The Lord judged Egypt for leading his people astray (compare Luke 17:1–2).

This third message against Egypt is written as a lament (a poem of sorrow). It repeats much of the earlier message in Ezekiel 29:1–16.

God would judge Egypt and its allies. The nation would fall under his judgment.

From Migdol to Syene: This phrase means “from north to south.” See study note on Ezekiel 29:8–13.

I will make the streams dry up: God said he would dry up the Nile River. Egypt depended on the Nile for water, farming, and trade. If the river dried up, the people could not survive or prosper.

God would destroy Egypt’s main cities. Memphis was the most important city in the north. Thebes was the most important city in the south.

• Zoan, now called Tanis, was in the eastern Nile delta. It was near the area where the Israelites once lived as slaves.

• Thebes was the sacred city of the god Amon. It was the capital of Upper Egypt. Upper Egypt was in the south because it was farther up the Nile River.

Pelusium was a fortress town on Egypt's northeastern border.

of On and Pi-beseth: These cities were located in the Nile delta.

• Tahpanhes was a fortress town on Egypt's northeastern border.

• darkened: Egypt’s light would turn to darkness when God judged it. This recalls the plague of darkness during the exodus (Exodus 10:21–23).

After this judgment, the Egyptians would recognize the Lord’s power. This happened before at the time of the exodus. Even those who do not worship the Lord must finally admit that he is real and powerful.

This fourth message shows that God had already begun to act against Egypt.

Jerusalem was under attack by Babylon. Some people hoped that Egypt would help Jerusalem. God said this would not happen. Egypt could not save them.

broken the arm of Pharaoh: The Lord had already weakened the Egyptians' power when Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Hophra (see Jeremiah 37:5–11). If Hophra had succeeded, Jerusalem would have had temporary relief.

Now, all hope for help from Egypt was gone. There was no chance for the broken arm to heal or even be temporarily supported, so Pharaoh could not protect Jerusalem. Egypt would be completely helpless, unable to wield a sword as it awaited its final defeat.

While weakening Pharaoh (Ezekiel 30:22), the Lord would strengthen the arms of Babylon's king, making the contest even more uneven. The Lord controlled the fate of the upcoming battle between the superpowers and had already decided its outcome. Nebuchadnezzar fought the Egyptians several times, ending with victory in 567 BC.