Ezekiel 30:24
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְחִזַּקְתִּ֗י
And I will strengthen
H2388
וְחִזַּקְתִּ֗י
And I will strengthen
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 17
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זְרֹע֣וֹת
arms
H2220
זְרֹע֣וֹת
arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
3 of 17
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 17
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and put
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֥י
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חַרְבִּ֖י
my sword
H2719
חַרְבִּ֖י
my sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
8 of 17
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בְּיָד֑וֹ
in his hand
H3027
בְּיָד֑וֹ
in his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 17
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
וְשָׁבַרְתִּי֙
but I will break
H7665
וְשָׁבַרְתִּי֙
but I will break
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
10 of 17
to burst (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זְרֹע֣וֹת
arms
H2220
זְרֹע֣וֹת
arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
12 of 17
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
Cross References
Ezekiel 30:25But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.Zephaniah 2:12Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.Isaiah 45:5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:Isaiah 45:1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;Nehemiah 6:9For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Historical Context
This prophecy was given during Jerusalem's siege (587 BC), before Egypt's invasion (568/567 BC). When it occurred exactly as predicted—Babylon strengthened, Egypt defeated—the prophetic word was vindicated. Ezekiel's credibility, established when Jerusalem fell (33:21-22), was confirmed again when Egypt fell. Fulfilled prophecy authenticates God's word and messenger.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God repeat the 'arms' imagery multiple times?
- How does fulfilled international prophecy differ from general religious claims?
- What does 'my sword' in Babylon's hand teach about God's use of pagan powers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down—Repetition from verse 22 emphasizes the contrast. זְרֹעוֹת (zĕrōʿôt, 'arms') of Babylon strengthened; פַּרְעֹה (parʿōh, Pharaoh's) תִּפֹּלְנָה (tippōlĕnāh, 'shall fall/drop down')—image of lifeless limbs hanging useless.
And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon—The recognition formula again. When Babylon conquers Egypt wielding YHWH's sword, both nations will acknowledge God's sovereignty. Egypt will know YHWH through defeat; Babylon will know (though not acknowledge) that her victories come from Israel's God, not Marduk. God's control of history produces knowledge of His person.