Ezekiel 30:12
And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָתַתִּ֤י
And I will make
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֤י
And I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְאֹרִים֙
the rivers
H2975
יְאֹרִים֙
the rivers
Strong's:
H2975
Word #:
2 of 16
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
וּמָכַרְתִּ֥י
and sell
H4376
וּמָכַרְתִּ֥י
and sell
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
4 of 16
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶ֤רֶץ
and I will make the land
H776
אֶ֤רֶץ
and I will make the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
6 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בְּיַד
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֞י
waste
H8074
וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֞י
waste
Strong's:
H8074
Word #:
9 of 16
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
אֶ֤רֶץ
and I will make the land
H776
אֶ֤רֶץ
and I will make the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וּמְלֹאָהּ֙
and all that is therein
H4393
וּמְלֹאָהּ֙
and all that is therein
Strong's:
H4393
Word #:
11 of 16
fulness (literally or figuratively)
בְּיַד
by the hand
H3027
בְּיַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 16
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
זָרִ֔ים
of strangers
H2114
זָרִ֔ים
of strangers
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
13 of 16
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
Historical Context
The Nile's annual flooding was central to Egyptian civilization, religion, and economy. Saying God would 'make the rivers dry' attacked Egypt's fundamental identity. While not literal permanent drought, Babylon's invasion disrupted irrigation systems, agriculture, and commerce—effectively 'drying' Egypt's prosperity. The land passed from native Egyptian control to foreign powers: Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome—never fully independent again.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's power over the Nile teach about His authority over nations' resources?
- How does selling Egypt to 'the wicked' demonstrate God's use of imperfect instruments?
- What modern 'rivers'—sources of national strength—might God dry up in judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I will make the rivers dry—The Nile, Egypt's lifeblood, would be turned into יַבָּשָׁה (yabbāshāh, 'dry ground'). This echoes the Exodus plagues (Exodus 7:14-24) and demonstrates God's power over Egypt's source of life and pride.
And sell the land into the hand of the wicked—God would מָכַר (mākar, 'sell/hand over') Egypt to רָעִים (rāʿîm, 'evil/wicked ones')—the Babylonians. Though themselves wicked, Babylon served God's purposes as instruments of judgment. And I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers—בְּיַד־זָרִים (bĕyad-zārîm, 'by the hand of foreigners'). Egypt, who enslaved foreign peoples, would be devastated by foreigners. I the LORD have spoken it—The divine signature אֲנִי יְהוָה דִּבַּרְתִּי (ănî YHWH dibbartî) guarantees fulfillment.