Ezekiel 30
AOSNEzekiel 30:1-19
This third message against Egypt is written as a lament (a poem of sorrow). It repeats much of the earlier message in Ezekiel 29:1–16.
God would judge Egypt and its allies. The nation would fall under his judgment.
Ezekiel 30:6-7
From Migdol to Syene: This phrase means “from north to south.” See study note on Ezekiel 29:8–13.
Ezekiel 30:12
I will make the streams dry up: God said he would dry up the Nile River. Egypt depended on the Nile for water, farming, and trade. If the river dried up, the people could not survive or prosper.
Ezekiel 30:13-14
God would destroy Egypt’s main cities. Memphis was the most important city in the north. Thebes was the most important city in the south.
Ezekiel 30:14
Zoan, now called Tanis, was in the eastern Nile delta. It was near the area where the Israelites once lived as slaves.
Thebes was the sacred city of the god Amon. It was the capital of Upper Egypt. Upper Egypt was in the south because it was farther up the Nile River.
Ezekiel 30:15
Pelusium was a fortress town on Egypt's northeastern border.
Ezekiel 30:17
of On and Pi-beseth: These cities were located in the Nile delta.
Ezekiel 30:18
Tahpanhes was a fortress town on Egypt's northeastern border.
darkened: Egypt’s light would turn to darkness when God judged it. This recalls the plague of darkness during the exodus (Exodus 10:21–23).
Ezekiel 30:19
After this judgment, the Egyptians would recognize the Lord’s power. This happened before at the time of the exodus. Even those who do not worship the Lord must finally admit that he is real and powerful.
Ezekiel 30:20-26
This fourth message shows that God had already begun to act against Egypt.
Jerusalem was under attack by Babylon. Some people hoped that Egypt would help Jerusalem. God said this would not happen. Egypt could not save them.
Ezekiel 30:21-23
broken the arm of Pharaoh: The Lord had already weakened the Egyptians' power when Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Hophra (see Jeremiah 37:5–11). If Hophra had succeeded, Jerusalem would have had temporary relief.
Now, all hope for help from Egypt was gone. There was no chance for the broken arm to heal or even be temporarily supported, so Pharaoh could not protect Jerusalem. Egypt would be completely helpless, unable to wield a sword as it awaited its final defeat.
Ezekiel 30:24-26
While weakening Pharaoh (Ezekiel 30:22), the Lord would strengthen the arms of Babylon's king, making the contest even more uneven. The Lord controlled the fate of the upcoming battle between the superpowers and had already decided its outcome. Nebuchadnezzar fought the Egyptians several times, ending with victory in 567 BC.
Aquifer Open Study Notes © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.