Ezekiel 30 20

Ezekiel 30:20 kjv

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 30:20 nkjv

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Ezekiel 30:20 niv

In the eleventh year, in the first month on the seventh day, the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 30:20 esv

In the eleventh year, in the first month, on the seventh day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:

Ezekiel 30:20 nlt

On April 29, during the eleventh year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, this message came to me from the LORD:

Ezekiel 30 verses

Ezekiel 30 20 Meaning

This verse describes God's intention to fulfill His word and strengthen Pharaoh, king of Egypt, against those who attacked him, specifically referring to the Babylonian invaders. It signifies God's sovereign control over nations and historical events, using even His judgment against His people to execute His will against other oppressive powers.

Ezekiel 30 20 Context

This verse is part of a larger oracle against Egypt, found in chapters 29-32 of Ezekiel. God is announcing a severe judgment upon Egypt for its pride and reliance on its own strength. Historically, this oracle was given during the Babylonian exile when Nebuchadnezzar was actively campaigning and had indeed conquered Egypt. The verse specifically refers to the latter part of Pharaoh Hophra's reign, a time marked by internal strife and external defeat, particularly by Babylon. God is here emphasizing His supreme authority, showing that even though Babylon is the instrument of destruction, God is the one who ordains and strengthens Pharaoh's enemies for His ultimate purposes.

Ezekiel 30 20 Word Analysis

• And (וְ, ve): Conjunction connecting clauses, indicating sequence or continuation.
• I (אֲנִי, ani): First-person singular pronoun, signifying God speaking directly.
• have brought (הֵבֵאתִי, heve’ti): Perfect tense verb from בּוֹא (bo), meaning "to bring" or "to come." Indicates a completed action from God's perspective.
• forth (יָצָא, yatzah): Verb meaning "to go out" or "to come forth." Here, used idiomatically with "brought forth," suggesting manifestation or deployment.
• my (לִי, li): Preposition "to" or "for" attached to the first-person possessive pronoun "me." Used here with the pronoun, meaning "for me."
• sword (חֶרֶב, cherev): Noun meaning "sword." A common weapon of war symbolizing destruction and conquest.
• from (מִן, min): Preposition indicating source or origin.
• the ( אֶת , et): Direct object marker, signifying the object being acted upon.
• among (בֵּין, beyn): Preposition meaning "between" or "among."
• the (הַ, ha): Definite article.
• nations (גּוֹיִם, goyim): Noun meaning "nations" or "peoples."
• and (וְ, ve): Conjunction.
• I (אֲנִי, ani): First-person pronoun.
• will lay (נָתַן, natan): Verb meaning "to give" or "to put." In this context, "to lay hold of" or "to place."
• my (בִּי, bi): Preposition "in" or "at" attached to the first-person pronoun "me."
• hand (יָד, yad): Noun meaning "hand." Symbol of power, action, or influence.
• upon (עַל, al): Preposition meaning "upon" or "against."
• Pharaoh (פַּרְעֹה, Par‘oh): Proper noun, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
• king (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Noun meaning "king."
• of (שׂ, ). Often implied by construct state.
• Egypt (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim): Proper noun, Egypt.
• and (וְ, ve): Conjunction.
• he (הוּא, hu): Third-person singular masculine pronoun.
• shall be (הָיָה, hayah): Verb "to be" or "to become."
• broken (שָׁבוּר, shavur): Passive participle from שָׁבַר (shavar), meaning "to break." Here referring to a weakened or broken state.
• in (בְּ, be): Preposition "in" or "with."
• the (בְּתּוֹךְ, betokh): Preposition "in the midst of."
• midst (תּוֹךְ, toch): Noun meaning "middle" or "midst."
• of (הוּא, hu): Pertains to the sword.
• it (הוּא, hu): Pertains to the sword.

Group Analysis:The phrase "I have brought forth my sword among the nations" highlights God's agency in directing global conflict. The subsequent phrase "and I will lay my hand upon Pharaoh" connects this wider divine action directly to Egypt, indicating that Pharaoh's plight is a consequence of God's directed power. The breaking of Pharaoh "in the midst of it" signifies the complete undoing of his strength by the instrument of God's judgment.

Ezekiel 30 20 Bonus Section

The imagery of God "bringing forth His sword" and laying His hand upon a king is potent. It underscores that the battles and destructions that befall nations are not simply the result of political or military maneuvering, but are often divinely ordained or permitted for specific purposes within God's overarching plan. This theme is echoed in how God used Nebuchadnezzar to discipline Judah and then judged Nebuchadnezzar's empire. Ezekiel consistently emphasizes God's hand in historical events to build faith during a time of despair, reminding the exiles that God's power transcends all earthly empires.

Ezekiel 30 20 Commentary

This verse serves as a pivot in God's declaration against Egypt. It shifts from announcing general judgment to specifying His active involvement in the downfall of Egypt's leader. God orchestrates world events; He uses nations as His instruments of discipline. Here, "my sword" refers to the destructive power wielded by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon, which is described as executing God's will. Pharaoh's strength, his "arm," will be broken, not by random chance or human military superiority alone, but because God intervenes. This underlines the principle that no earthly power is ultimate, and all are subject to the Creator. Egypt's pride made it vulnerable, and God used its vulnerabilities to bring about its intended humiliation, thereby demonstrating His sovereignty and accomplishing His purpose against the oppressor of His people.