Ezekiel 17:15
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
Original Language Analysis
לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ
against him in sending
H7971
לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ
against him in sending
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
3 of 17
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכָיו֙
his ambassadors
H4397
מַלְאָכָיו֙
his ambassadors
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
4 of 17
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
לָֽתֶת
that they might give
H5414
לָֽתֶת
that they might give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְעַם
people
H5971
וְעַם
people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
9 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רָ֑ב
and much
H7227
רָ֑ב
and much
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
10 of 17
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
הֲיִצְלָ֤ח
Shall he prosper
H6743
הֲיִצְלָ֤ח
Shall he prosper
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
11 of 17
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
וְנִמְלָֽט׃
and be delivered
H4422
וְנִמְלָֽט׃
and be delivered
Strong's:
H4422
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn
הָעֹשֵׂ֣ה
that doeth
H6213
הָעֹשֵׂ֣ה
that doeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְהֵפֵ֥ר
such things or shall he break
H6565
וְהֵפֵ֥ר
such things or shall he break
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
15 of 17
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
Cross References
Jeremiah 52:3For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.Jeremiah 38:18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.Jeremiah 34:3And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.Deuteronomy 17:16But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.Ezekiel 17:7There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.2 Kings 24:20For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.2 Chronicles 36:13And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.Jeremiah 38:23So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.Ezekiel 17:18Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.Ezekiel 17:9Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
Historical Context
Lachish letters (archaeological evidence) mention watching for signals during Babylonian siege, confirming the desperate situation. Letters reference officials going to Egypt, corroborating biblical accounts. Pharaoh Hophra's army briefly advanced (Jeremiah 37:5), causing temporary Babylonian withdrawal before returning with fury.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'Egyptian horses' tempt us to trust human solutions over God?
- How does covenant-breaking in relationships demonstrate our theology of commitment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zedekiah 'rebelled...in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people.' Seeking Egyptian military aid violated treaty and God's commands. Rhetorical questions expect negative answers. Hebrew parar ('break') suggests shattering what should bind. Covenant-breaking brings consequences, not deliverance.