Ezekiel 29:2
Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֕ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֕ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שִׂ֣ים
set
H7760
שִׂ֣ים
set
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פָּנֶ֔יךָ
thy face
H6440
פָּנֶ֔יךָ
thy face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִצְרַ֖יִם
against him and against all Egypt
H4714
מִצְרַ֖יִם
against him and against all Egypt
Strong's:
H4714
Word #:
8 of 13
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וְהִנָּבֵ֣א
and prophesy
H5012
וְהִנָּבֵ֣א
and prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
9 of 13
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezekiel 6:2Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them,Jeremiah 44:30Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaoh-hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.
Historical Context
Egypt had dominated ancient Near Eastern politics for millennia. Judah repeatedly sought Egyptian alliances against Mesopotamian powers (Assyria, Babylon) despite prophetic warnings. Isaiah (chapters 30-31) and Jeremiah (chapter 46) also prophesied against Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- How do worldly systems and powers compete for the trust that belongs to God alone?
- What does it mean to make God your refuge rather than human institutions or resources?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Ezekiel to 'set thy face against Pharaoh' and 'all Egypt,' demonstrating that judgment addresses both leaders and systems. Egypt represented worldly power, wisdom, and wealth—all alternatives to trusting God. Prophesying against Egypt confronted Judah's residual Egypt-dependence, revealing that God alone is reliable refuge.