Ezekiel 29:7
When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.
Original Language Analysis
בְּתָפְשָׂ֨ם
When they took hold
H8610
בְּתָפְשָׂ֨ם
When they took hold
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
1 of 15
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
בַכַּפ֙ף
of thee by thy hand
H3709
בַכַּפ֙ף
of thee by thy hand
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
3 of 15
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
תֵּר֔וֹץ
thou didst break
H7533
תֵּר֔וֹץ
thou didst break
Strong's:
H7533
Word #:
4 of 15
to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
וּבָקַעְתָּ֥
and rend
H1234
וּבָקַעְתָּ֥
and rend
Strong's:
H1234
Word #:
5 of 15
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כָּתֵ֑ף
all their shoulder
H3802
כָּתֵ֑ף
all their shoulder
Strong's:
H3802
Word #:
8 of 15
the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תִּשָּׁבֵ֔ר
upon thee thou brakest
H7665
תִּשָּׁבֵ֔ר
upon thee thou brakest
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
11 of 15
to burst (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
When Pharaoh Hophra withdrew support in 588 BC, Jerusalem faced Babylon alone. Far from helping, Egypt's involvement intensified Babylon's anger and Jerusalem's suffering. Trust in Egypt brought worse consequences than facing Babylon with faith in God.
Questions for Reflection
- How have false dependencies not merely failed but actually made your situation worse?
- What does it mean to make God your sole sufficiency rather than seeking backup securities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse elaborates the reed-staff metaphor: when Israel leaned on Egypt, it broke and tore their shoulder, making them unstable ('made all their loins to be at a stand'—paralyzed their strength). False dependencies don't just fail—they actively harm. Every reliance on creature-help rather than God compounds problems. Only God provides reliable support.