Ezekiel 30 5

Ezekiel 30:5 kjv

Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

Ezekiel 30:5 nkjv

"Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword."

Ezekiel 30:5 niv

Cush and Libya, Lydia and all Arabia, Kub and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

Ezekiel 30:5 esv

Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya, and the people of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

Ezekiel 30:5 nlt

Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all Arabia,
and all their other allies
will be destroyed in that war.

Ezekiel 30 verses

Ezekiel 30 5 meaning

Ezekiel 30:5 declares that Cush (Ethiopia), Put (Libya), Lud (Lydia or Lydians), the mixed multitude, Kub, and all covenant partners of Egypt shall fall by the sword alongside Egypt. This verse signifies the comprehensive scope of God's judgment against Egypt, illustrating that not only will the central nation be devastated, but also its vast network of allies, mercenaries, and treaty partners who trusted in Egypt's strength. It emphasizes the complete downfall of Egypt's military and political power through the instrument of Babylon, ordained by God.

Ezekiel 30 5 Context

Ezekiel 30:5 is part of a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt, specifically found in Ezekiel chapters 29-32, dated around the late 6th century BCE, a period when the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II was ascendant and subjugating nations of the Near East. Chapters 29:1-16 prophesy Egypt's desolation for forty years, identifying Pharaoh as a "great monster" in the Nile (a metaphor for arrogance and defiance against God). Chapters 29:17-21 then pivot to predict Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt as compensation for his arduous, unrewarded campaign against Tyre. Chapter 30 continues this theme, depicting the "day of the Lord" for Egypt as a time of darkness and complete destruction (v. 3). The broader historical context includes Judah's persistent reliance on Egypt as an ally against Babylon, despite God's repeated warnings through His prophets (e.g., Isa 30:1-7; Jer 2:36). This verse serves to reinforce that not even Egypt's extensive network of foreign allies, often hired as mercenaries, will save it or its partners from the impending divine judgment delivered through the Babylonian sword. It serves as a stark warning against placing trust in human strength and alliances rather than in the Lord.

Ezekiel 30 5 Word analysis

• And: Hebrew wāw (ו), a simple conjunction indicating addition or continuation, linking this verse to the preceding declaration of judgment upon Egypt.
• Cush: Hebrew Kûsh (כּוּשׁ). This refers to ancient Nubia, primarily located south of Egypt in modern-day Sudan, often called Ethiopia in ancient translations. Known for its strong military and a traditional ally/power connected to Egypt, occasionally ruling it (25th Dynasty). Its inclusion emphasizes the reach and strength of Egypt's alliances, now destined for destruction.
• Put: Hebrew Pûṭ (פּוּט). Identifies Libya, located west of Egypt, often mentioned alongside Cush as distant, powerful allies/mercenaries for Egypt (Jer 46:9; Nah 3:9). This denotes Egypt's North African military support.
• Lud: Hebrew Lûḏ (לוּד). Its precise identification is debated; it could refer to Lydia in Asia Minor (known for archers) or to another North African group. Contextually, paired with Cush and Put, a North African or an allied nation renowned for military prowess seems most fitting. Regardless, it underscores a major military contingent allied with Egypt.
• and all the mixed multitude: Hebrew wəkol hā'erev (וְכָל-הֶעָרֶב), literally "and all the mixture" or "mixed company/peoples." This often denotes foreign mercenaries (e.g., Jer 25:20) or a diverse population residing in and allied with Egypt, similar to the "mixed multitude" that came out of Egypt with Israel (Ex 12:38). It signifies that every non-Egyptian fighting force aligned with Egypt will also fall.
• and Kub: Hebrew Kûḇ (כּוּב). This name is unique to this verse in the Hebrew Bible, making its identification difficult. Scholars propose various locations, including a region of Nubia/Ethiopia, a city in Mesopotamia, or even a variant spelling for a known nation like Lybia (Lûb). Its ambiguity but distinct mention highlights a comprehensive list of all of Egypt's external supporters.
• and the men of the land that is in league: Hebrew ūḇnê hā'ereṣ 'ăšer biḇerîṯ (וּבְנֵי הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר בִּבְרִית), literally "and sons of the land who are in covenant/treaty." This specifically refers to smaller nations or vassal states bound to Egypt by formal military or political treaties. This explicitly points to political alliances.
• shall fall with them by the sword: Hebrew yippəlu ʾittām baḥerev (יִפְּלוּ אִתָּם בַּחֶרֶב). The verb "shall fall" (יִפְּלוּ - yippəlu) signifies a definite, unavoidable demise. "With them" clarifies their shared fate with Egypt. "By the sword" identifies the primary instrument of judgment, likely the Babylonian army, executing God's divine decree.

Words-group analysis

• Cush, Put, Lud, and Kub: These four names form a distinct group representing Egypt's well-known, diverse, and often distant foreign military resources and allies. Their collective downfall demonstrates the wide reach of God's judgment and the futility of human, geographical alliances when divine decree is issued. They highlight the breadth of Egypt's geopolitical influence which is now rendered impotent.
• all the mixed multitude, and the men of the land that is in league: This phrase group captures a different type of ally: mercenary forces (the mixed multitude) and official covenant partners. This shows a complete and exhaustive destruction that spares no one who associated themselves with Egypt for protection or gain. It represents a judgment against those who placed their faith in human power rather than God, aligning with the "trust in Egypt" polemic.
• shall fall with them by the sword: This conclusive phrase unequivocally states the outcome and method of their demise. The phrase "by the sword" indicates a military defeat, an end to their perceived strength. "With them" underscores the solidarity in their doom, symbolizing that all who linked their destiny to Egypt's failed policies would share in its destruction, proving that Egypt offered no true security. This is a divine verdict being executed by a human instrument.

Ezekiel 30 5 Bonus section

The destruction described in Ezekiel 30:5 and the broader prophecy against Egypt had a significant impact on ancient Near Eastern geopolitics. Egypt was often considered a perennial contender against Mesopotamian empires (Assyria, then Babylon). Its downfall profoundly altered the balance of power. The explicit listing of specific foreign groups also reinforces the idea of "judgment without partiality" – that God's justice encompasses all who defy Him, whether directly or through association. The diversity of these allies—from neighboring Cush to potentially distant Lydia—symbolizes a universal judgment that knows no geographical or cultural bounds, challenging any nation's self-assuredness in its alliances or military might. Furthermore, this verse also subtly highlights the economic reliance these nations had on Egypt, providing mercenary forces often paid by Egypt, underscoring a complete collapse of an intricate ancient world system centered on the Pharaoh.

Ezekiel 30 5 Commentary

Ezekiel 30:5 profoundly illustrates the far-reaching nature of divine judgment. God's wrath against Egypt is not confined to its borders but extends to every nation, people group, mercenary force, and allied state that bolstered Egypt's power or relied upon its perceived strength. The extensive list of names (Cush, Put, Lud, Kub) and general terms ("mixed multitude," "men in league") emphasizes that no aspect of Egypt's military-political apparatus, however remote or seemingly secure, will escape the appointed destruction. This serves as a powerful polemic against Judah's and other nations' tendency to trust in the unreliable arm of Egypt rather than the sovereign Lord (Isa 30:7). It also underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, using even pagan powers like Babylon as instruments of His righteous justice. The "sword" represents not merely human warfare, but the decisive judgment of God delivered through human agents, confirming His control over the world's affairs and the eventual humbling of all human pride and opposition.