Ezekiel 30:25
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֗י
But I will strengthen
H2388
וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֗י
But I will strengthen
Strong's:
H2388
Word #:
1 of 22
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 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּזְרֹע֥וֹת
and the arms
H2220
וּזְרֹע֥וֹת
and the arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
3 of 22
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 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וּזְרֹע֥וֹת
and the arms
H2220
וּזְרֹע֥וֹת
and the arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
6 of 22
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
תִּפֹּ֑לְנָה
shall fall down
H5307
תִּפֹּ֑לְנָה
shall fall down
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
8 of 22
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
וְֽיָדְע֞וּ
and they shall know
H3045
וְֽיָדְע֞וּ
and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֗ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּתִתִּ֤י
when I shall put
H5414
בְּתִתִּ֤י
when I shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חַרְבִּי֙
my sword
H2719
חַרְבִּי֙
my sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 22
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בְּיַ֣ד
into the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֣ד
into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 22
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
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
17 of 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְנָטָ֥ה
and he shall stretch it out
H5186
וְנָטָ֥ה
and he shall stretch it out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
18 of 22
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
אוֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Egypt's population dispersal occurred in stages: Babylonian deportations (568/567 BC), Persian rule encouraging emigration, Greek Ptolemaic period saw Greeks settling Egypt and Egyptians spreading to Greek cities, Roman era saw further dispersion. By Islamic conquest (640 AD), Egypt's population was thoroughly mixed. Ancient Egyptian genetic and cultural continuity was disrupted—fulfilling the 'scattering among nations.'
Questions for Reflection
- What is the literary and theological purpose of exact repetition in verse 25?
- How does the structure (scatter/strengthen/scatter) reinforce the message?
- What does certainty of prophetic judgment teach about God's character?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries—Exact repetition of verse 23, forming an inclusio (literary bookend) around verses 23-25. This repetition underscores the certainty and completeness of Egypt's judgment.
Hebrew poetry and prophecy use repetition for emphasis. Stating Egypt's scattering twice within three verses stresses its inevitability. The placement frames the contrast: Babylon strengthened (v. 24) is surrounded by Egypt's scattering (vv. 23, 25). The structure itself reinforces the message: Egypt's power will be broken and her people scattered—certain, complete, irreversible.