Ezekiel 30:7

Authorized King James Version

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And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.

Original Language Analysis

נְשַׁמּ֑וֹת And they shall be desolate H8074
נְשַׁמּ֑וֹת And they shall be desolate
Strong's: H8074
Word #: 1 of 9
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
בְּתוֹךְ in the midst H8432
בְּתוֹךְ in the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 2 of 9
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
אֲרָצ֣וֹת of the countries H776
אֲרָצ֣וֹת of the countries
Strong's: H776
Word #: 3 of 9
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
נְשַׁמּ֑וֹת And they shall be desolate H8074
נְשַׁמּ֑וֹת And they shall be desolate
Strong's: H8074
Word #: 4 of 9
to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)
עָרִ֥ים and her cities H5892
עָרִ֥ים and her cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 5 of 9
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בְּתוֹךְ in the midst H8432
בְּתוֹךְ in the midst
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 6 of 9
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
עָרִ֥ים and her cities H5892
עָרִ֥ים and her cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 7 of 9
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
נַחֲרָב֖וֹת that are wasted H2717
נַחֲרָב֖וֹת that are wasted
Strong's: H2717
Word #: 8 of 9
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
תִּֽהְיֶֽינָה׃ H1961
תִּֽהְיֶֽינָה׃
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

Analysis & Commentary

Egypt would be 'desolate in the midst of countries that are desolate'—not unique in judgment but sharing the fate of other judged nations. This removes any sense of exceptional treatment. Egypt's cities would be 'in the midst of cities that are wasted,' showing comprehensive regional judgment. God's justice operates consistently across all peoples.

Historical Context

The entire ancient Near Eastern world experienced upheaval during the Neo-Babylonian period. Babylon's conquests created a devastated landscape from Egypt to Persia, demonstrating God's comprehensive judgment of that generation.

Questions for Reflection

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