Ezekiel 29:1-2
In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse's hyper-specific date, just a year and two days before Jerusalem's fall, pins this prophecy about Egypt to a moment of intense national crisis and dashed hopes. While Judah desperately looked to Egypt for relief, God was already speaking judgment against them through Ezekiel.
This prophecy arrives during the siege of Jerusalem, a year after the city was first surrounded by the Babylonians. While the Judeans may have clung to hope of relief from the Egyptians, this message from God will reveal the inevitable downfall of Egypt and expose their false promises. This sets the stage for a series of judgments against Egypt, which will span several prophecies though they are grouped together here.
Ever feel like God's message is lost in the noise? Ezekiel's prophecy starts with an incredibly specific date. Why so precise?
This prophecy arrives on a very specific date: the tenth year, tenth month, twelfth day. This isn't random; it pinpoints a critical moment.
A Moment of False Hope
Scholars place this prophecy around 589 BC. Jerusalem was under siege by Babylon. Yet, there was a glimmer of hope: an Egyptian army was on its way, potentially to relieve the city. This news might have given the besieged Judeans a brief surge of confidence.
God's Word Amidst Crisis
The fact that God's word comes to Ezekiel precisely at this tense juncture highlights its urgency and importance. It's not a general message, but a word directly addressing the political and spiritual crisis unfolding. It cuts through the hype and the anxiety with divine clarity.
Egypt was a superpower, often sought for alliance. But to God, their power was less than it seemed. What does this prophecy reveal about leaning on human might?
The prophecy against Egypt, though delivered later in Ezekiel's scroll, addresses a nation that had historically played a significant role in regional politics, and at this specific time, was seen as a potential savior by some in Judah.
The 'Broken Reed'
Despite its ancient power and influence, Egypt's alliance proved unreliable for Judah. The commentary highlights that Judah's leaders had 'courted his alliance against the Chaldeans,' a move likened to 'leaning on a broken reed.' This speaks volumes about the futility of trusting in worldly powers over divine protection.
God's Sovereign Judgment
Ezekiel's message will ultimately reveal that Egypt, like other nations, is subject to God's sovereign judgment. Their mighty power, often seen as a threat or a refuge, is ultimately in God's hands to use or dismantle as He sees fit.
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.
ben 'adam · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A title often used for the prophet Ezekiel, highlighting his humanity and frailty in contrast to the majesty and holiness of God. It emphasizes the prophet's role as a representative of mankind before God and God's messenger to man.
Par'oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title for the monarch of Egypt, symbolizing pride, worldly power, and often opposition to God’s people. In prophetic literature, it represents the arrogance of human empires that exalt themselves against the sovereignty of the Creator.
This prophecy lands during the final, devastating siege of Jerusalem, a time when Judah's hope rested precariously on Egyptian intervention. Ezekiel's message serves as a stark reminder that even powerful allies like Egypt are no match for God's judgment.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar decisively defeats the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Necho, marking the end of Egyptian dominance in the region and asserting Babylonian power.
597 BC
First Deportation of Judah
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
c. 589 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem as King Zedekiah has rebelled by seeking an alliance with Egypt.
c. 588 BC
Pharaoh Hophra's Army Approaches
Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt marches to relieve Jerusalem, causing the Babylonians to temporarily withdraw their siege.
588 BC
This passage provides the specific historical context for Ezekiel's prophecy, mentioning Pharaoh's army approaching Jerusalem and causing the Chaldean siege to be temporarily lifted, a key event around the time Ezekiel received this word.
Ezekiel 24:1-2This cross-reference gives the exact date of Jerusalem's siege beginning, establishing the 'tenth year' as a pivotal and deeply significant time for both the prophet and the beleaguered people of Judah.
Ezekiel 25:1This verse marks the beginning of Ezekiel's prophecies against foreign nations. While it precedes the prophecy against Egypt chronologically in the book, it establishes the pattern of God's judgment on surrounding nations that is continued here.
Ezekiel 17:11-18This earlier prophecy from Ezekiel warned Judah against seeking alliance with Egypt. It highlights the repeated pattern of Judah's misplaced trust, making the prophecy against Egypt a direct consequence of their disobedience.
2 Kings 24:7This verse details Egypt's earlier involvement in the region's affairs, noting that Pharaoh's army had been defeated by Nebuchadnezzar. This sets the stage for the further judgment of Egypt that Ezekiel is about to pronounce.
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…
This verse's hyper-specific date, just a year and two days before Jerusalem's fall, pins this prophecy about Egypt to a moment of intense national crisis and dashed hopes. While Judah desperately looked to Egypt for relief, God was already speaking judgment against them through Ezekiel.
This prophecy arrives during the siege of Jerusalem, a year after the city was first surrounded by the Babylonians. While the Judeans may have clung to hope of relief from the Egyptians, this message from God will reveal the inevitable downfall of Egypt and expose their false promises. This sets the stage for a series of judgments against Egypt, which will span several prophecies though they are grouped together here.
This prophecy arrives during the siege of Jerusalem, a year after the city was first surrounded by the Babylonians. While the Judeans may have clung to hope of relief from the Egyptians, this message from God will reveal the inevitable downfall of Egypt and expose their false promises. This sets the stage for a series of judgments against Egypt, which will span several prophecies though they are grouped together here.
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naba' · Hebrew Verb
To declare a message from God to humanity, acting as His spokesperson. It involves announcing God’s will, calling for repentance, or declaring coming judgment and deliverance.
Fall of Jerusalem
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar's forces breach Jerusalem's walls, leading to the destruction of the Temple and the final deportation of Judeans.
587 BC— this verse
Word of the LORD to Ezekiel
The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel in Babylon, precisely dated in the tenth year of his exile, to deliver a prophecy against Egypt.
"In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt;" — This verse's hyper-specific date, just a year and two days before Jerusalem's fall, pins this prophecy about Egypt to a moment of intense national crisis and dashed hopes. While Judah desperately loo…
