Ezekiel 29:6
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙
shall know
H3045
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙
shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
And all the inhabitants
H3427
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י
And all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 13
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַ֧עַן
H3282
יַ֧עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
הֱיוֹתָ֛ם
H1961
הֱיוֹתָ֛ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
9 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת
because they have been a staff
H4938
מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת
because they have been a staff
Strong's:
H4938
Word #:
10 of 13
support (abstractly), i.e., (figuratively) sustenance or (concretely) a walking-stick
קָנֶ֖ה
of reed
H7070
קָנֶ֖ה
of reed
Strong's:
H7070
Word #:
11 of 13
a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard)
Cross References
Isaiah 36:6Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.2 Kings 18:21Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.
Historical Context
Israel had leaned on Egypt multiple times—during Assyrian threats (2 Kings 17:4), Babylonian invasion (Jeremiah 37:5-7), and after Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 42-44). Every time, Egypt proved unreliable. Historical experience validated prophetic warning.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'reed staffs' (unreliable supports) are you leaning on that will collapse under life's weight?
- How has God used painful experiences with unreliable 'helps' to teach you to depend solely on Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The metaphor shifts: Egypt was a 'staff of reed' (weak, unreliable support) to Israel. Reed staffs appear strong but collapse under weight, piercing the hand that leans on them. This perfectly describes Egypt's political unreliability—promising help but failing in crisis. The covenant formula 'they shall know that I am the LORD' shows even judgment serves revelatory purposes.