Ezekiel 30:20
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּאַחַ֤ת
And it came to pass in the eleventh
H259
בְּאַחַ֤ת
And it came to pass in the eleventh
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵה֙
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
3 of 12
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
בָּֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
in the first
H7223
בָּֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
in the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 12
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
בְּשִׁבְעָ֣ה
month in the seventh
H7651
בְּשִׁבְעָ֣ה
month in the seventh
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
6 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
that the word
H1697
דְבַר
that the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:17And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 26:1And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Ezekiel 29:1In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Historical Context
Pharaoh Hophra (Apries, 589-570 BC) promised to help Judah against Babylon. When Egypt's army approached in 588 BC, Babylon temporarily lifted Jerusalem's siege to face them (Jeremiah 37:5). Egypt retreated without battle—humiliated. Jeremiah mocked Egypt's impotence (Jeremiah 46:17). This 'broken arm' ensured Egypt could never again challenge Babylon, leaving Jerusalem to fall alone in 586 BC.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'breaking' Egypt's arm demonstrate His control over international politics?
- What does Egypt's inability to help Jerusalem teach about trusting human alliances?
- How did this broken military power affect Judah's fate and Ezekiel's message?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month—April 587 BC, during Jerusalem's siege. The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt—זְרוֹעַ פַּרְעֹה (zĕrôaʿ parʿōh, 'the arm of Pharaoh') symbolizes military power. שָׁבַרְתִּי (shābartî, 'I have broken') is past tense—already accomplished.
This refers to Pharaoh Hophra's failed attempt to relieve Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:5-7). Egypt marched to help Judah but retreated when Babylon turned to face them. God 'broke Egypt's arm'—shattered her military strength and will to fight. And, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword—No healing (רָפָא, rāpā), no bandage (חִתּוּל, ḥittûl), no strength to wield weapons. Egypt's power was permanently crippled.