Ezekiel 29:17
And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
וָשֶׁ֙בַע֙
And it came to pass in the seven
H7651
וָשֶׁ֙בַע֙
And it came to pass in the seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
3 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
בָּֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
in the first
H7223
בָּֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
in the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 12
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
month in the first
H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
month in the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
the word
H1697
דְבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
Post-exilic Judaism did indeed stop trusting Egypt militarily. The lesson was learned. Later Jewish resistance to Greek and Roman oppression demonstrated reliance on God rather than foreign alliances. The Maccabees and later zealots resisted compromise with pagan powers. Egypt's reduction accomplished its purpose—teaching Israel to trust Yahweh alone.
Questions for Reflection
- What lessons should we learn from God's judgment of others?
- How does observing divine justice produce wisdom for our own lives?
- What false confidences must we abandon to trust God alone?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But they shall know that I am the Lord GOD concludes with the recognition formula. Through Egypt's humbling, Israel learns that Yahweh alone deserves trust. The entire Egyptian judgment serves pedagogical purposes for Israel—teaching through example not to trust human power. God's judgments on other nations often serve to instruct His people. We should learn from others' judgments rather than repeat their errors. Observing divine justice should produce wisdom—if God judges them for that, He'll judge us for it too. Egypt's permanent humbling teaches: trust God alone.