Ezekiel 29:15
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.
Original Language Analysis
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמַּמְלָכוֹת֙
of the kingdoms
H4467
הַמַּמְלָכוֹת֙
of the kingdoms
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
2 of 13
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
תִּהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
תִּהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שְׁפָלָ֔ה
It shall be the basest
H8217
שְׁפָלָ֔ה
It shall be the basest
Strong's:
H8217
Word #:
4 of 13
depressed, literally or figuratively
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א
neither shall it exalt
H5375
תִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א
neither shall it exalt
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
6 of 13
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃
itself any more above the nations
H1471
בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃
itself any more above the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 13
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְהִ֨מְעַטְתִּ֔ים
for I will diminish
H4591
וְהִ֨מְעַטְתִּ֔ים
for I will diminish
Strong's:
H4591
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֖י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
Cross References
Zechariah 10:11And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.Ezekiel 30:13Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.Ezekiel 17:14That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.Ezekiel 32:2Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.Ezekiel 17:6And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.Ezekiel 31:2Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
Historical Context
Egypt's reduction from superpower to minor kingdom was permanent. Though Egyptian civilization continued, the empire ended. At its peak, Egypt ruled from Libya to Syria; after judgment, Egypt itself was ruled by foreigners for 25+ centuries. The permanent nature of this reduction demonstrates that some divine judgments have lasting historical effects that persist across millennia.
Questions for Reflection
- What consequences of sin persist even after restoration?
- How does permanent reduction differ from temporary discipline?
- What does Egypt's example teach about sin's irreversible historical effects?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It shall be the basest of the kingdoms repeats and intensifies verse 14. Neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations promises permanent humility. Egypt's imperial ambitions are permanently ended. For I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations explains how—God will reduce Egypt's power so dominance is impossible. Divine reduction prevents future exaltation. When God humbles, He humbles permanently. No human effort can restore what God has permanently diminished. This is sobering: some consequences of sin last forever. Restoration doesn't always mean return to former status.