Ezekiel 30:8-18

8 Then they will know that I am the Lord when I set fire to Egypt and when all those nations on her side are crushed.

9 "'At that time I will send messengers in ships to frighten Cush, which now feels safe. The people of Cush will tremble with fear when Egypt is punished. And that time is sure to come.

10 "'This is what the Lord God says: through the power of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

11 Nebuchadnezzar and his army, the cruelest army of any nation, will be brought in to destroy the land. and will fill the land with those they kill.

12 I will make the streams of the Nile River become dry land, and then I will sell the land to evil people. I will destroy the land and everything in it through the power of foreigners. I, the Lord, have spoken.

13 "'This is what the Lord God says: I will destroy the idols and take away the statues of gods from the city of Memphis. There will no longer be a leader in Egypt, and I will spread fear through the land of Egypt.

14 I will make southern Egypt empty and start a fire in Zoan and punish Thebes.

15 And I will pour out my anger against Pelusium, the strong place of Egypt. I will destroy great numbers of people in Thebes.

16 I will set fire to Egypt. Pelusium will be in great pain. The walls of Thebes will be broken open, and Memphis will have troubles every day.

17 The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis will fall dead in war, and the people will be taken away as captives.

18 In Tahpanhes the day will be dark when I break Egypt's power. Then she will no longer be proud of her power. A cloud will cover Egypt, and her villages will be captured and taken away.

Ezekiel 30:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 30

This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy against Egypt, both against the country and the king of it. It is introduced with expressions of lamentation, because of the destruction coming on, Eze 30:1-3, and not only Egypt, and the cities thereof, should be destroyed, but all her friends, associates, and allies; the Ethiopians, Lydians, Lybians, and others, Eze 30:4-9. Nebuchadnezzar and his army were to be the instruments of her ruin, Eze 30:10-12, particular cities are mentioned by name, which should suffer much, and become desolate, Eze 30:13-19 and then Pharaoh king of Egypt himself is threatened with broken arms, and his people to be scattered among the nations, Eze 30:20-23, and the king of Babylon is again mentioned, whose arms should be strengthened to do all this, Eze 30:24-26.