Ezekiel 29:3
Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבֵּ֨ר
Speak
H1696
דַּבֵּ֨ר
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
Behold I am against thee Pharaoh
H6547
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
Behold I am against thee Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
9 of 22
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
הַתַּנִּים֙
dragon
H8577
הַתַּנִּים֙
dragon
Strong's:
H8577
Word #:
12 of 22
a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal
הַגָּד֔וֹל
the great
H1419
הַגָּד֔וֹל
the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
13 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הָרֹבֵ֖ץ
that lieth
H7257
הָרֹבֵ֖ץ
that lieth
Strong's:
H7257
Word #:
14 of 22
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
בְּת֣וֹךְ
in the midst
H8432
בְּת֣וֹךְ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
15 of 22
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
יְאֹרִ֖י
My river
H2975
יְאֹרִ֖י
My river
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
16 of 22
a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 27:1In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.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.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's prosperity depended on Nile flooding, which Egyptians attributed to their gods (particularly Hapi, the Nile god). Pharaoh claimed divine status. This prophecy exposed their theological error—all blessing comes from Yahweh, not pagan deities or human effort.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas might you be claiming credit for blessings God has provided?
- How does recognizing God as the source of all good gifts affect your relationship with Him?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The 'great dragon' (Hebrew 'tannin'—sea monster/crocodile) represents Pharaoh. Egypt's Nile crocodiles symbolized Egyptian power. Pharaoh's claim 'My river is mine own, I have made it' epitomizes prideful self-sufficiency—attributing divine blessings to human achievement. This arrogance brings judgment, as God will not share glory with created beings (Isaiah 42:8).