Ezekiel 30:22
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּה
H3541
כֹּה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
Behold I am against Pharaoh
H6547
פַּרְעֹ֣ה
Behold I am against Pharaoh
Strong's:
H6547
Word #:
8 of 21
paroh, a general title of egyptian kings
הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת
and that which was broken
H7665
הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת
and that which was broken
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
11 of 21
to burst (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זְרֹ֣עֹתָ֔יו
his arms
H2220
זְרֹ֣עֹתָ֔יו
his arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
13 of 21
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַחֲזָקָ֖ה
the strong
H2389
הַחֲזָקָ֖ה
the strong
Strong's:
H2389
Word #:
15 of 21
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת
and that which was broken
H7665
הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת
and that which was broken
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
17 of 21
to burst (literally or figuratively)
וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥י
to fall
H5307
וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥י
to fall
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
18 of 21
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Psalms 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.Jeremiah 37:7Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.Ezekiel 29:3Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.2 Kings 24:7And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
Historical Context
Nebuchadnezzar's strength was indeed YHWH's doing. Babylon conquered: Assyria (612 BC), Egypt (605 BC at Carchemish), Judah (586 BC), Tyre (573 BC), Egypt again (568/567 BC). Then, when God's purposes were accomplished, Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC). God raises and lowers nations—Babylon's dominance demonstrated His sovereignty, not Marduk's power.
Questions for Reflection
- How can God righteously give 'His sword' to a pagan nation?
- What does the contrast (strengthening Babylon, breaking Egypt) teach about God's sovereignty?
- How should we understand God using ungodly nations as judgment instruments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon—While Egypt's arms are broken, Babylon's are strengthened (חִזַּקְתִּי, ḥizzaqtî, 'I will make strong') God's זְרֹעוֹת (zĕrōʿôt, 'arms'). And will put my sword in his hand—God arms Babylon with חַרְבִּי (ḥarbî, 'my sword'). Though Babylon is pagan, the sword she wields belongs to YHWH—it executes His judgment.
But I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man—נְאָקוֹת חָלָל (nĕʾāqôt ḥālāl, 'the groaning of one mortally wounded'). This graphic imagery depicts Pharaoh as a dying soldier groaning in agony. The contrast is absolute: Babylon strengthened, Egypt broken; Babylon armed, Egypt disarmed; Babylon victorious, Egypt dying. God sovereignly distributes power among nations according to His purposes.