Ezekiel 30:26
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וַהֲפִצוֹתִ֤י
And I will scatter
H6327
וַהֲפִצוֹתִ֤י
And I will scatter
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
1 of 11
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם
among the nations
H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם
among the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
4 of 11
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְזֵרִיתִ֥י
and disperse
H2219
וְזֵרִיתִ֥י
and disperse
Strong's:
H2219
Word #:
5 of 11
to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow
אוֹתָ֖ם
H853
אוֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּאֲרָצ֑וֹת
them among the countries
H776
בָּאֲרָצ֑וֹת
them among the countries
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
7 of 11
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
H3045
וְיָדְע֖וּ
and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 11
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:12And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.Daniel 11:42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Historical Context
The 'knowing YHWH' theme dominates Ezekiel (over 60 occurrences). For Israel, knowing led to restoration; for Egypt, knowing confirmed permanent humiliation. Historical fulfillment—Egypt's decline and scattering after Babylon's invasion—authenticated the prophecy. Even modern Egypt's Islamic identity (not ancient Egyptian religion) testifies that the 'scattering' spiritually and culturally transformed Egypt irreversibly.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the tragedy of knowing God through judgment rather than grace?
- How does forced recognition differ from voluntary worship?
- What should Egypt's fate teach us about the opportunity to know God now?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have scattered them among the nations, and dispersed them in the countries—The final recognition formula for this section. וְיָדְעוּ כִּי־אֲנִי יְהוָה (wĕyādĕʿû kî-ănî YHWH, 'and they shall know that I am the LORD') comes through experiencing described judgment: scattering and dispersal.
This concludes the 'broken arms' oracle (30:20-26). Egypt would learn YHWH's identity not through worship but through defeat, not through blessing but through judgment, not through voluntary acknowledgment but through forced recognition. The tragedy is that Egypt could have known YHWH through Israel's testimony (Exodus 9:16); instead, she learned through her own destruction. God's sovereignty will be acknowledged—either gratefully or grudgingly, willingly or by compulsion.