Ezekiel 30:21
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; 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.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
Son
H1121
בֶּן
Son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָ֕ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֕ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 19
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זְר֛וֹעַ
the arm
H2220
זְר֛וֹעַ
the arm
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
4 of 19
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ
and lo it shall not be bound up
H2280
לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ
and lo it shall not be bound up
Strong's:
H2280
Word #:
11 of 19
to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule
לָתֵ֨ת
H5414
לָתֵ֨ת
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָשׂ֥וּם
to put
H7760
לָשׂ֥וּם
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
14 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ
and lo it shall not be bound up
H2280
לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ
and lo it shall not be bound up
Strong's:
H2280
Word #:
16 of 19
to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule
לְחָזְקָ֖הּ
it to make it strong
H2388
לְחָזְקָ֖הּ
it to make it strong
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
17 of 19
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
Cross References
Jeremiah 30:13There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.Jeremiah 48:25The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 46:11Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.Psalms 10:15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.Psalms 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.Ezekiel 30:24And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
Historical Context
After retreating from Babylon in 588 BC ('broken arm'), Egypt attempted no further major military campaigns against Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzar finally invaded Egypt directly (568/567 BC), resistance was minimal. Egypt's 'both arms broken' left her unable to wield the sword. Her era as a military power ended, fulfilling Ezekiel's vivid imagery exactly.
Questions for Reflection
- What does breaking 'both arms' (total disarmament) teach about comprehensive judgment?
- How does the progressive imagery (one arm, both arms, sword falls) intensify the message?
- What modern 'arms' (sources of strength) might God break to humble prideful nations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt—הִנְנִי אֶל־פַּרְעֹה (hinnĕnî ʾel-parʿōh, 'behold, I am against Pharaoh'), the lawsuit formula. And will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken—God will break both זְרֹעֹתָיו (zĕrōʿōtāyw, 'his arms'—plural): הַחֲזָקָה (haḥăzāqāh, 'the strong one') and הַנִּשְׁבָּרֶת (hannishbāret, 'the already broken one').
This intensifies the judgment: Egypt's one remaining 'good arm' will also be broken. And I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand—Total disarmament; inability to fight. The imagery is devastating: a warrior whose first arm is broken, then his second arm is broken, and finally his sword falls from his useless hands. Complete military impotence. Egypt, which prided itself on military strength, would be utterly defenseless before Babylon.