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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Ezekiel 29  › Ezekiel 29:6

Ezekiel 29:6

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Ezekiel 29:6 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.

King James Version KJV

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

American Standard Version ASV

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am Jehovah, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And it will be clear to all the people of Egypt that I am the Lord, because you have been a false support to the children of Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

Then everyone in Egypt will know that I am the Lord. When you had to deal with the people of Israel you were like a flimsy walking stick made from a reed.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And al the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord, because they haue ben a staffe of reede to the house of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And known have all inhabitants of Egypt That I [am] Jehovah, Because of their being a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

World English Bible WEB

“‘“All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord: because thou hast been a staff of a reed to the house of Israel.

Translation for Translators T4T

When that happens, all the people of Egypt will know that it is I, Yahweh, who have the power to do what I say that I will do. The Israeli people trusted that you would help them. But you have been like [MET] a reed pole in their hands.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 29:6

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 29:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/יָֽדְעוּ֙ כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֣י מִצְרַ֔יִם כִּ֖י אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֑ה יַ֧עַן הֱיוֹתָ֛/ם מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת קָנֶ֖ה לְ/בֵ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
וְ/יָֽדְעוּ֙ yâdaʻ H3045 to know Conj | V-Qal-3cp
כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal
מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt N-proper
כִּ֖י kîy H3588 for Conj
אֲנִ֣י ʼănîy H589 I Pron
יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
יַ֧עַן yaʻan H3282 because Conj
הֱיוֹתָ֛/ם hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת mishʻênâh H4938 support N-fs
קָנֶ֖ה qâneh H7070 branch N-ms
לְ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 place Prep | N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 29:6

וְ/יָֽדְעוּ֙ yâdaʻ H3045 "to know" Conj | V-Qal-3cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
מִצְרַ֔יִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" N-proper
This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.
Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.
כִּ֖י kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֲנִ֣י ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
יַ֧עַן yaʻan H3282 "because" Conj
This Hebrew word means because or therefore, and is used to show the reason or cause of something, like in a sentence explaining why something happened. It is often translated as because or for in the KJV Bible. This word helps us understand the motivations behind actions.
Definition: conj 1) because, therefore, because that, on account of prep 2) because of, on account of 3) why (with interrogative pron)
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: because (that), forasmuch ([phrase] as), seeing then, [phrase] that, [phrase] wheras, [phrase] why. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 25:8; Psalms 109:16.
הֱיוֹתָ֛/ם hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת mishʻênâh H4938 "support" N-fs
A staff or walking stick, used for support or sustenance, as mentioned in the Bible.
Definition: support
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: staff. See also: Exodus 21:19; 2 Kings 18:21; Psalms 23:4.
קָנֶ֖ה qâneh H7070 "branch" N-ms
This word describes a branch or reed, and is used to represent measurement, strength, or support. In the Bible, it is used to describe objects like the rod of a steelyard or the branches of a lampstand.
Definition: : branch 1) reed, stalk, bone, balances 1a) stalk 1b) water-plant, reed 1c) calamus (aromatic reed) 1d) derived meanings 1d1) measuring-rod 1d2) reed (as unit of measure-6 cubits) 1d3) beam (of scales-for scales themselves) 1d4) shaft (of lampstand) 1d5) branches (of lampstand) 1d6) shoulder-joint
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, [idiom] spearman, stalk. See also: Genesis 41:5; Isaiah 19:6; Psalms 68:31.
לְ/בֵ֥ית bayith H1004 "place" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 29:6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Kings 18:21 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
2 Isaiah 36:6 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
3 Exodus 9:14 Otherwise, I will send all My plagues against you and your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.
4 Isaiah 30:2–7 They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. For though their princes are at Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They cannot be of help; they are good for nothing but shame and reproach.” This is the burden against the beasts of the Negev: Through a land of hardship and distress, of lioness and lion, of viper and flying serpent, they carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people of no profit to them. Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.
5 Isaiah 20:5–6 Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’”
6 Lamentations 4:17 All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.
7 Jeremiah 2:36 How unstable you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria.
8 Ezekiel 28:26 And there they will dwell securely, build houses, and plant vineyards. They will dwell securely when I execute judgments against all those around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”
9 Ezekiel 28:22–24 And you are to declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate My holiness through her. I will send a plague against her and shed blood in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD. For the people of Israel will no longer face a pricking brier or a painful thorn from all around them who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.’
10 Exodus 14:18 The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I am honored through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

Ezekiel 29:6 Summary

[This verse means that Egypt was not a reliable friend to Israel, and God wants everyone to know that He is the one true Lord. Just like a staff made of reeds is weak and easily broken, Egypt's support for Israel was weak and untrustworthy, as seen in Ezekiel 29:6-7. This reminds us to put our trust in God, who is strong and faithful, as promised in Psalm 37:3-7 and Jeremiah 17:7-8. By trusting in God, we can find true security and strength, rather than relying on worldly powers or human strength.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that Egypt was a staff of reeds to the house of Israel?

This phrase means that Egypt was a unreliable source of support for Israel, much like a staff made of reeds that would easily break under pressure, as seen in Ezekiel 29:6-7, and is reminiscent of the frailty of human strength as noted in Isaiah 30:3-5.

Why does God want the people of Egypt to know that He is the Lord?

God desires for all nations to acknowledge His sovereignty and power, as stated in Ezekiel 29:6, and this is a theme throughout the Bible, including in verses like Psalm 46:10 and Isaiah 45:5-6.

How does this verse relate to the rest of Ezekiel chapter 29?

This verse is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, in which God declares His judgment on the nation for its pride and refusal to acknowledge Him, as seen in Ezekiel 29:1-16, and is connected to the broader theme of God's judgment on the nations in Ezekiel 25-32.

What can we learn from Israel's experience with Egypt as a staff of reeds?

We can learn that relying on human strength or worldly powers for support is ultimately futile, and that true strength and security come from trusting in God, as taught in verses like Psalm 20:7 and Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways have I been relying on 'staves of reeds' for support in my own life, and how can I shift my trust to God?
  2. How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty over the nations, and what implications does this have for my prayers and actions?
  3. What are some ways that I can acknowledge and declare God's power and lordship in my own life, as He desires for all people to do?
  4. In what ways can I learn from Israel's experience and avoid making the same mistakes of relying on human strength rather than God's power?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:6

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord,.... Who could eject their king from his kingdom, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy; though he thought no God could, as he

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 29:6

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:6

This mighty overthrow shall be known through all Egypt, and as it shall fill them with fears and troubles, so it should be a convincing argument to them that God had done this, and punished them, and their proud king, who used to say, as Herodotus reports, that God could not turn him out of his kingdom. Because they, both king, princes, counsellors, and people of Egypt, have been a staff of reed; treacherously, as next verse, dealt with the Jews, whom they seduced to trust and depend on them, and then perfidiously broke promise with them. It was the sin of the Jews to trust Egypt; it was Egypt’ s great sin to falsify promise with the Jews, and for this God now punisheth Egypt.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:6

Ezekiel 29:6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I [am] the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.Ver. 6. And all the inhabitants, &c.] Shall feel my power in their just destruction, though they think themselves insuperable. Because they have been a staff of reed.] See this fully expounded in the next words; see also on Isaiah 36:6 Jeremiah 37:7-8. Egypt was a reedy country; as Pliny telleth us, Arando autem ipsa per se fluctuat, et in necessitate eludit. Lib. xiii. cap. 11.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:6

(6) A staff of reed.—In Isaiah 36:6 the dependence of Judah upon Egypt is described as trust “in the staff of this broken reed;” but notwithstanding all warnings, they still trusted, especially at the time of this prophecy, and proved in their experience the truth of the Divine word. The figure is taken from the reeds, which grew abundantly on the banks of the Nile, and the statement is historically amplified in the following verse, where the reference is to be understood not of any single fact so much as of a continual, often repeated result. There should be a period in the middle of Eze 29:6, the first half forming the conclusion of the previous denunciation, and the second half being closely connected with Ezekiel 29:7-9. Ezekiel 29:7 is parenthetical.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:6

Verse 6. They have been a staff of reed] An inefficient and faithless ally. The Israelites expected assistance from them when Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem; and they made a feint to help them, but retired when Nebuchadnezzar went against them. Thus were the Jews deceived and ultimately ruined, see Ezekiel 29:7.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:6

6. The people of Egypt shall learn as of old who it is that sends such judgments upon them. staff of reed] A staff or stay which was but a reed, and broke when leant upon (Ezekiel 29:7). Cf. Isaiah 36:6; 2 Kings 18:21. The figure of the reed was natural when speaking of Egypt.

Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 29:6

Staff of reed - The “reed” was especially appropriate to Egypt as the natural product of its river.

Sermons on Ezekiel 29:6

SermonDescription
Vance Havner Upon This Rock by Vance Havner In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of finding time for reflection and stillness in our busy lives. He shares his own experience of taking time to watch the suns
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 14:17-25 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and the role of God in their deliverance. He emphasizes that God forced the Egyptians to pur
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