Ezekiel 17:15-16
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? “As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwells who made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant with him he broke, in Babylon he shall die.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that Zedekiah's rebellion wasn't just a political maneuver, but a profound betrayal of God's established order and covenant. The seeking of horses from Egypt, forbidden by the Law, underscores his reliance on human might over divine faithfulness, exposing the futility of breaking sacred promises for earthly security.
King Zedekiah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar under oath, has broken his covenant by seeking military aid from Egypt. Ezekiel directly confronts Zedekiah's rebellion, questioning if such treachery against both Babylon and God's established order can possibly lead to success or escape from judgment. This act signifies a profound betrayal, not just of a human king, but of the divine authority that allowed Nebuchadnezzar to establish him.
King Zedekiah made a covenant with the king of Babylon, but Ezekiel makes it clear this wasn't just a political agreement. It was a covenant directly tied to God's own will and authority.
When Zedekiah was made king by Nebuchadnezzar, he entered into a covenant and took an oath.
Zedekiah turned to Egypt for help, seeking horses and soldiers. But this was not just a strategic blunder; it was a rejection of God's counsel and a dangerous reliance on human strength.
Zedekiah's decision to send ambassadors to Egypt was a critical turning point, full of significant implications:
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.
shebu'ah · Hebrew Noun
A solemn vow or invocation of a divine witness to the truth of one's statement or the binding nature of a promise, often involving severe consequences for violation.
beriyth · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between two parties, often initiated by God with humanity, establishing a relationship governed by specific terms, promises, and obligations.
Zedekiah's decision to seek aid from Egypt was not just a political miscalculation but a profound betrayal of a solemn oath sworn under God's name. The prophet Ezekiel emphasizes that such perfidy, especially when trusting in a foreign power instead of the Lord, guarantees destruction, not deliverance.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Jerusalem and deports some of the royal family and skilled people, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. He installs Zedekiah, an uncle of the previous king, on the throne.
c. 597 BC - 592 BC
Zedekiah's Rebellious Intrigues
During the early years of Zedekiah's reign, Ezekiel prophesies in Babylon, denouncing Jerusalem's continued disobedience and foretelling its destruction. Zedekiah secretly begins to plot rebellion against Babylon, seeking alliances with surrounding nations.
c. 591 BC— this verse
Zedekiah Sends Ambassadors to Egypt
King Zedekiah of Judah sends envoys to Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt, seeking military aid (horses and soldiers) to support his planned revolt against Babylonian rule. This act is a direct violation of the covenant oath he swore to Nebuchadnezzar.
588 BC
Babylonian Siege of Jerusalem Begins
This passage describes a similar situation where Zedekiah seeks aid from Egypt against Babylon, directly contradicting God's word through Jeremiah and showing the same pattern of broken trust and misplaced hope in human alliances.
Romans 2:2-3This New Testament passage echoes Ezekiel's rhetorical question, emphasizing that God's judgment is certain for those who practice wickedness and think they can escape His justice, no matter their outward status.
Joshua 9:14-20This story from the Old Testament highlights the severe consequences of breaking a covenant, even one made deceitfully, underscoring the sacredness of oaths that Ezekiel's prophecy against Zedekiah so strongly emphasizes.
Isaiah 31:1-3This prophecy warns against seeking help from Egypt, calling it foolish to trust in chariots and horses (human strength) rather than in the Lord, mirroring Zedekiah's misguided reliance on Egyptian military power.
Ezekiel 17:18This verse immediately follows the one you provided and directly states the consequence of Zedekiah's actions: he will not escape, and he will face punishment for breaking the covenant and despising the oath sworn before God.
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…
This verse highlights that Zedekiah's rebellion wasn't just a political maneuver, but a profound betrayal of God's established order and covenant. The seeking of horses from Egypt, forbidden by the Law, underscores his reliance on human might over divine faithfulness, exposing the futility of breaking sacred promises for earthly security.
King Zedekiah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar under oath, has broken his covenant by seeking military aid from Egypt. Ezekiel directly confronts Zedekiah's rebellion, questioning if such treachery against both Babylon and God's established order can possibly lead to success or escape from judgment. This act signifies a profound betrayal, not just of a human king, but of the divine authority that allowed Nebuchadnezzar to establish him.
King Zedekiah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar under oath, has broken his covenant by seeking military aid from Egypt. Ezekiel directly confronts Zedekiah's rebellion, questioning if such treachery against both Babylon and God's established order can possibly lead to success or escape from judgment. This act signifies a profound betrayal, not just of a human king, but of the divine authority that allowed Nebuchadnezzar to establish him.
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The verse ends with a series of piercing questions: 'Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?' These aren't genuine inquiries, but declarations of inevitable doom for perfidy.
Ezekiel’s questions in this verse are not seeking information; they are pronouncements of judgment.
Adonay Yahweh · Hebrew Noun phrase
The sovereign Ruler of the universe, often used in the context of His authority, holiness, and covenantal relationship with His people.
buz · Hebrew Verb
The act of showing contempt for or treating something holy or binding with disregard; an active rejection of an authority or promise.
Nebuchadnezzar, alerted to Zedekiah's treachery, lays siege to Jerusalem. The Egyptians attempt to intervene, leading to a temporary lifting of the siege, which only prolongs Jerusalem's suffering.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
After a prolonged siege, Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. The city is destroyed, the Temple is plundered and burned, and most of the remaining population is deported to Babylon.
c. 586 BC
Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment
King Zedekiah is captured while attempting to flee Jerusalem. His sons are executed before his eyes, and he is then blinded and taken in chains to Babylon, where he dies in exile.
"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? “As I live, declares the Lord…" — This verse highlights that Zedekiah's rebellion wasn't just a political maneuver, but a profound betrayal of God's established order and covenant. The seeking of horses from Egypt, forbidden by the L…
