Ezekiel 30:17
The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity.
Original Language Analysis
בַּח֥וּרֵי
The young men
H970
בַּח֥וּרֵי
The young men
Strong's:
H970
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)
אָ֛וֶן
of Aven
H206
אָ֛וֶן
of Aven
Strong's:
H206
Word #:
2 of 9
aven, the contemptuous synonym of three places, one in coele-syria, one in egypt (on), and one in palestine (bethel)
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
by the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֣רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
5 of 9
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
יִפֹּ֑לוּ
shall fall
H5307
יִפֹּ֑לוּ
shall fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
6 of 9
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וְהֵ֖נָּה
H2007
וְהֵ֖נָּה
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
7 of 9
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
Historical Context
Heliopolis (biblical On, where Joseph married the priest's daughter—Genesis 41:45) was ancient Egypt's theological center. Bubastis hosted one of Egypt's largest annual festivals (Herodotus describes 700,000 attendees). Both cities declined dramatically after Babylon's invasion. Their great temples fell into ruin; their religious significance vanished. Archaeological excavations show destruction layers from the 6th century BC.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God specifically target Egypt's religious centers?
- What does killing 'young men' (future generation) signify about judgment's finality?
- How does the fate of Egypt's worship centers testify to YHWH's uniqueness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword—אָוֶן (ʾĀwen, On/Heliopolis, sun-worship center) and פִּי־בֶסֶת (Pî-beset, Bubastis, cat-goddess Bastet worship center). בַּחוּרִים (baḥûrîm, 'young men/warriors') would fall בַּחֶרֶב (baḥereb, 'by the sword')—military-age men killed in battle.
And these cities shall go into captivity—וְהֵנָּה בַּשֶּׁבִי תֵלַכְנָה (wĕhēnnāh bashshĕbî tēlakhĕnāh, 'and they [feminine—the cities themselves] shall go into captivity'). Not just individuals but entire urban populations exiled. Heliopolis was Egypt's primary sun-worship center, home of Ra theology. Bubastis hosted annual festivals to Bastet. Both religious centers would be devastated—their young men killed, populations exiled, worship systems destroyed. God's judgment targeted Egypt's idolatrous worship, not just political power.