But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Zedekiah’s rebellion isn't just about breaking a treaty with Babylon; it's a direct violation of his covenant with God. The prophet emphasizes this by asking if breaking the covenant will lead to escape, highlighting that his earthly treachery is also spiritual treason.
But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel has just explained an allegory about two eagles, where one represents Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the other represents Zedekiah, the king of Judah. Zedekiah, initially bound by a covenant and oath to Nebuchadnezzar, now tragically breaks faith by seeking military aid from Egypt. The prophet's question—"Will he thrive?"—directly challenges this act of rebellion and betrayal, highlighting the severe consequences of violating sworn agreements.
Zedekiah swore allegiance to Babylon, a promise sealed with an oath. But he broke it. What does it mean to break a covenant, and why is it so serious?
In Ezekiel's time, covenants were incredibly serious. They weren't just agreements; they were often solemn oaths, invoking God's name and binding parties under His watch. Zedekiah, as king, had made a covenant with Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.
The Divine Witness
This wasn't just a political deal. By swearing an oath, Zedekiah had called upon God to witness his promise. Breaking such an oath wasn't just a betrayal of Nebuchadnezzar; it was a direct affront to God Himself. The commentary highlights that even the heathens understood the gravity of broken oaths. For Israel, whose entire law was built on covenants with God, breaking a sworn promise was a fundamental sin.
Consequences of Perfidy
The verse asks, 'Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?' This isn't a genuine question expecting a 'yes.' It's a rhetorical challenge, emphasizing that such treachery is unthinkable and will inevitably lead to ruin. The very foundation of trust and order, both human and divine, is shattered when covenants are broken.
Zedekiah looked to Egypt for military aid, seeking horses and manpower. Why was this alliance so foolish and what does it reveal about his misplaced trust?
Zedekiah's rebellion wasn't just a political misstep; it was also a spiritual one. He sent ambassadors to Egypt, seeking military reinforcements, specifically horses and a large army.
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A Forbidden Alliance
This action was particularly egregious because Egyptian horses were forbidden to Israel's kings by the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16). It represented a turning away from God's provision and protection towards human strength and alliances. Egypt, often depicted as a powerful but unreliable ally ('a broken reed'), was a symbol of trusting in the arm of flesh rather than the Lord.
The Illusion of Security
Seeking help from Egypt was a desperate gamble that undermined the very covenant he had sworn to uphold. Instead of trusting the God who had established the terms of his kingship through Babylon, Zedekiah placed his hope in a foreign power known for its instability. The prophet's question, 'Shall he thrive?' is a stark reminder that such misplaced trust, especially when it involves breaking solemn vows, leads not to prosperity but to disaster.
Understand the original words
marad · Hebrew Verb
An act of breaking a command, treaty, or allegiance, particularly against God or a legitimate authority. It implies a conscious turning away from a sworn duty or recognized sovereignty.
tsalach · Hebrew Verb
To succeed, prosper, or move forward in a state of well-being. Biblically, true success is often conditional upon righteousness and faithfulness to God's covenants.
Zedekiah's broken covenant and desperate alliance with Egypt, detailed in this verse, directly seals Jerusalem's fate. The prophet Ezekiel's message highlights that this political treachery is also a profound violation of God's law and covenant.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports some of Judah's nobility and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
c. 597 BC
Jehoiachin's Deportation
Following a rebellion, King Jehoiachin and more of Jerusalem's elite are exiled to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar then installs Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as king.
c. 597 BC
Zedekiah's Covenant with Babylon
Zedekiah is made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar and forced to swear an oath of allegiance to Babylon. This covenant is central to Ezekiel's message.
c. 591-588 BC— this verse
Zedekiah's Intrigues with Egypt
Despite his oath to Babylon, King Zedekiah begins secret negotiations with Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt, seeking military aid to rebel.
c. 587-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Babylonian forces lay siege to Jerusalem. Zedekiah's rebellion and his alliance with Egypt directly lead to this devastating event.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians breach Jerusalem's walls, destroy the Temple, and exile the remaining population, leaving only the poorest to till the land.
This passage directly parallels Zedekiah's actions, detailing his intrigue with Egypt against Babylon and Jeremiah's prophecy of its futility.
Joshua 9:14-20This narrative highlights the severe consequences of breaking a sworn covenant, even when the oath was initially obtained deceptively, underscoring the gravity of Zedekiah's betrayal.
Romans 2:1-3This New Testament passage echoes the theme that no one can escape God's judgment for wrongdoing, especially for hypocrisy and breaking commitments, much like Zedekiah's fate.
Proverbs 14:34This proverb speaks to the broader principle that righteousness exalts a nation, while sin (like covenant-breaking and misplaced trust) is a disgrace, reflecting the inevitable downfall described for Zedekiah.
2 Samuel 21:1-2This account shows how a past covenant violation brought famine and suffering upon Israel, demonstrating God's long memory and justice for broken promises, relevant to Zedekiah's breaking of his oath to Nebuchadnezzar.
cambridgeEzekiel 17:15: "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?"
15 . Cf. 2 Kings 24:20 . The king of Egypt referred to was Pharaoh Hophra, Jeremiah 44:30 ; Jeremiah 37:5 seq . The indignation of Ezekiel against Zedekiah arises greatly from his regarding the subjection of Jerusalem to Babylon as a thing determined by Jeho…
ellicottEzekiel 17:15: "But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?"
(15) Shall he escape that doeth such things?— The faithlessness of Zedekiah and his court to his own sworn covenant was an act, in addition to all his other wickedness, especially abominable to God. The sanctity of an oath had always been most strongly insis…
Zedekiah’s rebellion isn't just about breaking a treaty with Babylon; it's a direct violation of his covenant with God. The prophet emphasizes this by asking if breaking the covenant will lead to escape, highlighting that his earthly treachery is also spiritual treason.
Ezekiel has just explained an allegory about two eagles, where one represents Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the other represents Zedekiah, the king of Judah. Zedekiah, initially bound by a covenant and oath to Nebuchadnezzar, now tragically breaks faith by seeking military aid from Egypt. The prophet's question—"Will he thrive?"—directly challenges this act of rebellion and betrayal, highlighting the severe consequences of violating sworn agreements.
Ezekiel has just explained an allegory about two eagles, where one represents Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and the other represents Zedekiah, the king of Judah. Zedekiah, initially bound by a covenant and oath to Nebuchadnezzar, now tragically breaks faith by seeking military aid from Egypt. The prophet's question—"Will he thrive?"—directly challenges this act of rebellion and betrayal, highlighting the severe consequences of violating sworn agreements.
"But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?" — Zedekiah’s rebellion isn't just about breaking a treaty with Babylon; it's a direct violation of his covenant with God. The prophet emphasizes this by asking if breaking the covenant will lead to e…
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Last reviewed October 2026