Ezekiel 29:1
In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the date seems hyper-specific, it pinpoints a moment when Jerusalem was under siege and desperately looking to Egypt for help, making this prophecy against Egypt a direct rebuttal to their misplaced hope in a foreign power. This timing highlights how God's word often speaks directly into the political and emotional crises of His people.
This precise date marks a significant moment: Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar, and though the siege is temporarily lifted by an Egyptian army, that relief proves to be a false hope. Ezekiel is in exile, and through this word from the LORD, he's about to deliver a prophecy that directly addresses Egypt's involvement and its impending judgment by Babylon.
Why is the date so specific? This wasn't just any random message from God; it landed at a moment of intense crisis for Jerusalem.
The opening verse of Ezekiel 29 gives us a precise date: "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month." This level of detail isn't accidental.
A Siege and Shifting Hopes
It's easy to focus on the 'when' and 'where,' but what's truly significant is the 'who' behind the message.
The phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" is a recurring, powerful theme in Ezekiel's prophecy. It signifies divine authority and direct communication.
God's Unwavering Voice
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing His faithfulness, holiness, and self-existence to His people. It is the name by which He makes Himself known through revelation and action in history.
This prophecy arrives as Jerusalem is under brutal siege by Babylon. Egypt's intervention, meant to save Judah, ultimately fails, leaving Ezekiel's people vulnerable and demonstrating the futility of relying on foreign alliances over God's faithfulness.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeats Egypt, establishing Babylonian dominance over the region and marking a shift in global power.
597 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Jerusalem's elite to Babylon, including the prophet Ezekiel.
589 BC
Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem
The Babylonian army lays siege to Jerusalem, beginning a prolonged and devastating conflict for the city and its people.
c. 588 BC— this verse
Egyptian Army Relieves Siege Temporarily
Pharaoh Hophra's army marches to aid Jerusalem, causing the Babylonians to temporarily lift the siege. This brief hope is soon dashed.
This passage directly relates to the same political moment, mentioning the Egyptian army's approach that temporarily relieved Jerusalem's siege, the context surrounding Ezekiel's prophecy. It highlights Egypt's meddling in Judah's affairs, which Ezekiel's prophecy addresses.
Ezekiel 24:1-2These verses provide the specific date for the beginning of Jerusalem's siege, establishing the precise temporal context for Ezekiel 29:1. Understanding the siege's start date clarifies the timing of Ezekiel's message about Egypt.
Ezekiel 17:11-18This earlier prophecy of Ezekiel warned Judah against relying on Egypt, illustrating a consistent theme of God's judgment on nations that interfere with His people. It shows that Judah's alliance with Egypt was a recurring issue leading to divine displeasure.
2 Kings 24:7This verse references Egypt's previous involvement in the region and its ultimate failure against Babylon. It sets a historical precedent for Egypt's diminished power and the consequences of its political entanglements, which Ezekiel's prophecy elaborates on.
Isaiah 30:1-7This passage offers a parallel prophetic warning against seeking help from Egypt, framing it as misplaced trust and ultimately futile. It reinforces the theme that relying on foreign alliances, particularly Egypt, would lead to disappointment and judgment.
barnesEzekiel 29:1: "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
The tenth year - Jerusalem had been besieged, but not taken. Jeremiah delivered his prophecy against Egypt, about the time when the approach of Pharaoh Hophra's army caused the Chaldaeans for the time to raise the siege Jeremiah 37:5 . This was the solitary instance of Egypt meddling with the affairs of Palestine or Syria after the battle of Carchemish (compare 2 Ki…
bensonEzekiel 29:1: "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 29:1 . In the tenth year, &c. — The prophecies of Ezekiel, in regard to foreign nations, are not placed according to the order of time in which they were delivered, but according to the respective distances of the nations from Judea, beginning with those which lay nearest to it. And with respect to the prophecies against Egypt, it is justly remarked by Dathi…
While the date seems hyper-specific, it pinpoints a moment when Jerusalem was under siege and desperately looking to Egypt for help, making this prophecy against Egypt a direct rebuttal to their misplaced hope in a foreign power. This timing highlights how God's word often speaks directly into the political and emotional crises of His people.
This precise date marks a significant moment: Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar, and though the siege is temporarily lifted by an Egyptian army, that relief proves to be a false hope. Ezekiel is in exile, and through this word from the LORD, he's about to deliver a prophecy that directly addresses Egypt's involvement and its impending judgment by Babylon.
This precise date marks a significant moment: Jerusalem is under siege by Nebuchadnezzar, and though the siege is temporarily lifted by an Egyptian army, that relief proves to be a false hope. Ezekiel is in exile, and through this word from the LORD, he's about to deliver a prophecy that directly addresses Egypt's involvement and its impending judgment by Babylon.
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587/586 BC
Fall and Destruction of Jerusalem
After a lengthy siege, Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, its temple is destroyed, and the majority of the remaining population is exiled.
c. 585 BC
Prophecy Against Egypt Delivered
Ezekiel receives this prophecy against Egypt, delivered during the final stages of Jerusalem's siege, highlighting Egypt's failed intervention and future judgment.
"In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:" — While the date seems hyper-specific, it pinpoints a moment when Jerusalem was under siege and desperately looking to Egypt for help, making this prophecy against Egypt a direct rebuttal to their misp…
