Ezekiel 29:19
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֗ן
H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
נֹתֵ֛ן
Behold I will give
H5414
נֹתֵ֛ן
Behold I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
unto Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
unto Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
8 of 22
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֖ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֖ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
10 of 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְנָשָׂ֨א
and he shall take
H5375
וְנָשָׂ֨א
and he shall take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
14 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הֲמֹנָ֜הּ
her multitude
H1995
הֲמֹנָ֜הּ
her multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
15 of 22
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
וְהָיְתָ֥ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
20 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568/567 BC (confirmed by Babylonian chronicles), about five years after this prophecy. While he didn't conquer all Egypt permanently, he did campaign successfully, plunder cities, and install a vassal king—exactly as prophesied. Egyptian power never fully recovered, fulfilling Ezekiel's prediction that Egypt would become 'the basest of kingdoms' (29:14-15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's compensation of pagan Babylon demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations?
- What does this teach about God's justice in rewarding even unwitting service?
- How should we understand God using 'wages' language with pagan kings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon—As compensation for Tyre, God promises Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar. הִנְנִי נֹתֵן לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (hinnĕnî nōthēn linĕbûkadreʾṣar, 'behold, I am giving to Nebuchadnezzar') shows God's sovereign distribution of nations.
And he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey—Three verbs emphasize total plunder: נָשָׂא הֲמוֹנָהּ (nāsāʾ hămônāh, 'carry away her wealth'), שָׁלַל שְׁלָלָהּ (shālal shĕlālāh, 'plunder her plunder'), and בָּזַז בִּזָּהּ (bāzaz bizzāh, 'seize her spoil'). And it shall be the wages for his army—שָׂכָר לְחֵילוֹ (śākār lĕḥêlô, 'wages for his army'). God compensates Babylon's service against Tyre with Egyptian plunder. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty: He directs pagan kings, compensates their labor, and accomplishes His purposes through unwitting agents (Isaiah 10:5-7, 45:1-7).