Ezekiel 29:16

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עוֹד֩ H5750
עוֹד֩
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 3 of 15
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לְבֵ֨ית of the house H1004
לְבֵ֨ית of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 4 of 15
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְמִבְטָח֙ And it shall be no more the confidence H4009
לְמִבְטָח֙ And it shall be no more the confidence
Strong's: H4009
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, a refuge, i.e., (objective) security, or (subjective) assurance
מַזְכִּ֣יר to remembrance H2142
מַזְכִּ֣יר to remembrance
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 7 of 15
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
עָוֹ֔ן their iniquity H5771
עָוֹ֔ן their iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 8 of 15
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
בִּפְנוֹתָ֖ם when they shall look H6437
בִּפְנוֹתָ֖ם when they shall look
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 9 of 15
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם after H310
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ them but they shall know H3045
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ them but they shall know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 11 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲנִ֖י H589
אֲנִ֖י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 13 of 15
i
אֲדֹנָ֥י that I am the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֥י that I am the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 14 of 15
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִֽה׃ H3068
יְהוִֽה׃
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel promises Israel will stop trusting Egypt for military help. Which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them explains why Egypt must be humbled—to prevent Israel's recurring temptation to trust Egypt rather than God. Egypt's reduction serves Israel's sanctification. God judges pagan nations partly to remove temptations from His people. Accessible idols must be removed. When we persistently turn to wrong sources for help, God may remove those sources to force us back to Himself. This is severe mercy.

Historical Context

Throughout Judah's history, an Egyptophile party consistently advocated Egyptian alliance despite prophetic warnings (Isaiah 30-31; Jeremiah 37). After exile, this temptation ended. Egypt's permanent reduction meant future generations of Jews couldn't repeat their ancestors' error. By removing the temptation, God protected His people from recurring sin.

Questions for Reflection

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