Ezekiel 30 3

Ezekiel 30:3 kjv

For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

Ezekiel 30:3 nkjv

For the day is near, Even the day of the LORD is near; It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.

Ezekiel 30:3 niv

For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near? a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

Ezekiel 30:3 esv

For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near; it will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

Ezekiel 30:3 nlt

for the terrible day is almost here ?
the day of the LORD!
It is a day of clouds and gloom,
a day of despair for the nations.

Ezekiel 30 verses

Ezekiel 30 3 Meaning

This verse prophesies the downfall of Egypt, specifically its impending judgment by God. The phrase "against you" signifies a direct confrontation. The declaration that "the day of the Lord is near" emphasizes the imminent and divine nature of this judgment.

Ezekiel 30 3 Context

This chapter is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt. Ezekiel has been commissioned to pronounce judgment upon Egypt for its pride and its reliance on its own strength and alliances, particularly its betrayal of Judah. Chapter 29 detailed God's judgment against Pharaoh. Chapter 30 focuses on the day of the Lord's judgment that will befall Egypt, likening it to a "cloud" covering the land, signifying God's pervasive and overwhelming wrath. This judgment would result in Egypt's desolation and subjugation by foreign powers. The mention of the "day of the Lord" links this specific prophecy to a broader biblical theme of divine intervention and judgment against rebellious nations.

Ezekiel 30 3 Word Analysis

• And: Conjunction, connecting this verse to the preceding declaration and setting up the reason or the immediate context for the following statement.
• you: Second person pronoun, singular. Refers directly to Egypt, personified as a collective entity.
• it: Refers back to Egypt.
• is: Verb, present tense. Indicates a state of being or immediate presence.
• near: Adverb. Signifies proximity in time, emphasizing the imminent nature of the event.
• a (or "the" depending on translation and original Hebrew): Indefinite or definite article.
• day: Noun. Refers to a specific period of time, in this context, a time of divine reckoning.
• of (preposition): Shows possession or association.
• the (definite article): Specifies which day.
• Lord: Noun. Refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel, asserting His sovereignty in bringing about this judgment.
• even (or "yea," "indeed"): Emphasis particle, strengthening the assertion that follows.
• a (or "the"): Article.
• day (noun): Repetition emphasizes the significance of this particular time.
• of (preposition): Indicates the nature of the day.
• clouds: Noun, plural. This imagery suggests an overwhelming, darkening, and obscuring presence, indicative of God's powerful and fearsome judgment, a spiritual gloom covering the land. It also hints at divine judgment coming in power, much like storm clouds.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And you, it is near": This group highlights the direct confrontation and the imminent proximity of the judgment. The focus is on Egypt's immediate experience of God's impending wrath.
• "a day of the Lord": This is a key prophetic phrase indicating a time when God actively intervenes in history to judge nations and vindicate His people. It's a time of divine sovereignty demonstrated through decisive action.
• "even a day of clouds": This phrase describes the character of the Day of the Lord in its effect upon Egypt. It will be a time of thick darkness, obscurity, and overwhelming destruction, not a time of blessing or clarity for the object of judgment. It suggests divine presence that brings a somber, even terrifying, atmosphere.

Ezekiel 30 3 Bonus Section

The concept of the "day of the Lord" evolved through Israelite prophecy. Initially, it may have referred to specific military victories or deliverances. However, prophets like Amos, Isaiah, and Ezekiel expanded it to encompass ultimate eschatological judgment, a final reckoning on a universal scale. The imagery of "clouds" in relation to God's presence is also found elsewhere, often denoting God's majestic, albeit fearsome, manifestation (Psalm 18:11, 97:2). In this context, the clouds serve as a symbol of divine wrath and concealment, hiding God's favor and revealing only His judgment upon a proud and rebellious nation.

Ezekiel 30 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 30:3 succinctly declares the proximity of the "day of the Lord" for Egypt. This signifies a time of God's direct and decisive judgment. The phrase "day of the Lord" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, marking moments of significant divine intervention in history to bring reckoning upon the unrighteous and deliverance for the faithful. For Egypt, this day is portrayed not as a bright moment of God's favor, but as a "day of clouds," an idiom for overwhelming darkness, gloom, and a foreboding sense of doom, signifying a comprehensive and oppressive judgment that will cover the land like a storm. This implies confusion, devastation, and a loss of all former strength and pride. It foreshadows the scattering of her people and the desolation of her land by invading armies, all orchestrated by divine will. The verse underscores that no nation, no matter how powerful, is exempt from God's sovereign judgment when they defy Him or oppress His people.