Ezekiel 30:17 kjv
The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:17 nkjv
The young men of Aven and Pi Beseth shall fall by the sword, And these cities shall go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:17 niv
The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis will fall by the sword, and the cities themselves will go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:17 esv
The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword, and the women shall go into captivity.
Ezekiel 30:17 nlt
The young men of Heliopolis and Bubastis will die in battle,
and the women will be taken away as slaves.
Ezekiel 30 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 30:17 | “Young men of Heliopolis and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword; and the cities shall go into captivity.” | Direct Fulfillment: Ezekiel’s Prophecy |
| Isaiah 19:1-4 | "The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD will ride on a swift cloud and come to Egypt; the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt within her." | Prophecy of Egypt's Judgment |
| Jeremiah 43:8-13 | "Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes... Pharaoh Hophra... will be given into the hand of those who seek their life..." | Judgment on Egypt & its rulers |
| Ezekiel 29:18-19 | "Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army labor hard against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was rubbed; yet he and his army had no prize from Tyre for the labor that he wrought against it." | Babylon's toil and reward in judgment |
| Ezekiel 30:6 | "Thus says the Lord GOD: The helpers of Egypt shall fall, and the pride of her might shall come down. From Migdol to Syene they shall fall within her by the sword, declares the Lord GOD." | Specific locations of judgment in Egypt |
| Ezekiel 29:1-3 | "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 'Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt...'" | Introduction to prophecies against Egypt |
| Nahum 3:10 | "Yet she was carried away captive, she went into exile; her little ones were dashed in pieces at the head of every street; and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her princes were bound in chains." | Pattern of conquest and captivity |
| Jeremiah 46:25-26 | "The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh and Egypt and their gods and their kings, Pharaoh and those who trust in him...'" | God's judgment on Egypt and its gods |
| Isaiah 45:7 | "I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." | God's sovereignty over all events, including judgment |
| Romans 11:22 | "Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." | God's justice and mercy |
| 1 Corinthians 10:11 | "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come." | Historical events as lessons for believers |
| Proverbs 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." | Principle of pride leading to ruin |
| Psalm 37:35-36 | "I have seen a wicked man thriving like a leafy native tree, but he soon passed away, and behold, he was gone; I sought him, but he could not be found." | Ultimate fate of the wicked |
| Daniel 4:17 | "The sentence is by the decree of watchers, and the decision by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will, and sets over it the lowliest of men." | God's ultimate sovereignty and rule |
| Psalm 76:5 | "The stouthearted were seized, they slumber, and all the men of might failed to lift their hands." | Divine intervention in judgment |
| Isaiah 31:3 | "The Egyptians are men, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, both the helper will fall, and he who is helped will fall; they will all fail together." | Weakness of Egypt against the Lord |
| Ezekiel 25:14 | "I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.” | God using His people for judgment |
| Jeremiah 51:11 | "Sharpen the arrows; guard the shields. The LORD stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because his plan was to destroy Babylon. For it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for his temple." | God directing earthly powers for His purposes |
| Ezekiel 32:11 | "For thus says the Lord GOD: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you." | Direct statement of Babylon's sword on Egypt |
| Habakkuk 1:6 | "I am stirring up the Chaldeans, that fierce and hasty nation, who march across the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own." | God using Babylon as an instrument |
Ezekiel 30 verses
Ezekiel 30 17 Meaning
This verse proclaims the destruction of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. It signifies divine judgment upon Egypt for its pride and corruption, demonstrating God's power over all nations. The verse emphasizes the thoroughness of this destruction, leaving Egypt weakened and its power broken.
Ezekiel 30 17 Context
Ezekiel chapter 30 prophesies the destruction of Egypt. This chapter falls within a broader prophetic oracle concerning Egypt that spans Ezekiel chapters 29 and 30. The primary historical context is the geopolitical landscape of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period marked by the decline of Egyptian power and the ascendancy of Babylon. Egypt, particularly its king Pharaoh Hophra, had engaged in political machinations that went against God’s dealings with His people, Israel, after the fall of Jerusalem. For instance, Egypt’s involvement in trying to support Judea against Babylon was seen as an affront to God’s judgment that had fallen on Jerusalem. Ezekiel is delivering this prophecy while in exile in Babylon, so the audience includes fellow Jewish exiles. This prophecy serves to underscore God’s absolute sovereignty over all nations, including the powerful Egypt, and to validate His judgment upon those who opposed Him or His people.
Ezekiel 30 17 Word Analysis
Yowthe` (יַחַד):
- Word Analysis: This is the masculine singular plural form of yaḥad. In Hebrew, this signifies "together," "unitedly," or "one." The use here can emphasize a singular destructive force coming upon the nation, or perhaps the collective suffering of the people.
- Extended Meaning: In some contexts, yaḥad can refer to a group or confederation. Here, it points to the unified, overwhelming nature of the destruction coming upon Egypt.
Na
ar (NVARCHAR`):- Word Analysis: Refers to a young man, lad, or servant. It can denote youthfulness or immaturity.
- Extended Meaning: In this context, it highlights the vulnerability of the Egyptian youth, the future generation, who will be casualties of war and conquest. It underscores the tragic impact of God’s judgment on the populace.
Iy (עִיר`):- Word Analysis: This is the standard Hebrew word for "city."
- Extended Meaning: Here, it is used in its straightforward sense, referring to specific urban centers within Egypt that will face destruction.
Miṣrayim (מִצְרַיִם):
- Word Analysis: The Hebrew name for Egypt.
- Extended Meaning: Egypt was a major ancient superpower, known for its advanced civilization, powerful armies, and distinct religious system, often characterized by idolatry. Its importance in biblical history is significant, both in positive interactions (Joseph, Exodus) and negative ones (opposition to Israel).
ḥereb (חֶרֶב):
- Word Analysis: The Hebrew word for "sword," a primary weapon of war.
- Extended Meaning: It symbolizes war, slaughter, and judgment. The falling by the sword signifies death through violent conflict.
golah (גֹּלָה):
- Word Analysis: Means "captivity," "exile," or "that which is carried away captive."
- Extended Meaning: This word directly indicates that the people of the cities will be taken captive, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the defeat. It aligns with the historical patterns of conquest where populations were deported.
Ezekiel 30 17 Bonus Section
The cities mentioned in this verse, Heliopolis (ancient Egyptian: Iunu) and Pi-beseth (ancient Egyptian: Per-Bast), were significant centers in Egypt. Heliopolis was renowned as a major cult center for the sun god Ra, and Pi-beseth was a center for the worship of the cat goddess Bastet. The prophecy implies that Egypt's strength, political independence, and even its religious institutions would be severely undermined. Nebuchadnezzar’s campaigns into Egypt did indeed bring significant disruption, though the extent of his conquest as described by Ezekiel is often debated among scholars regarding its immediate historical fulfillment versus its eventual consummation in the broader sweep of empires. Nevertheless, the prophecy serves as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over the proudest of nations. The concept of God using one nation (Babylon) to discipline another, even for divine purposes, is a recurring theme in Ezekiel and the Old Testament, showcasing God’s overarching plan for history.
Ezekiel 30 17 Commentary
Ezekiel 30:17 vividly depicts the severe consequences of God's judgment on Egypt. The "young men" (na`ar) falling by the "sword" (ḥereb) highlights the tragic loss of life and the breaking of the nation's future strength. The fact that "the cities shall go into captivity" (golah) signifies a complete overthrow and subjugation, where not only people but the very urban centers are subjected to foreign rule and plunder. The use of yaḥad (together) suggests the comprehensive and unified nature of this impending devastation. This prophecy is rooted in Egypt's political pride and its involvement in actions contrary to God’s will concerning His people, Israel, particularly after Jerusalem's fall. The judgment is executed by Nebuchadnezzar, a divinely appointed instrument of wrath against rebellious nations, demonstrating that even great world powers are accountable to the Lord.