Ezekiel 29:19
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals a fascinating divine economy: God declares that Nebuchadnezzar, who had just spent thirteen fruitless years besieging Tyre, will be rewarded with the spoil of Egypt. This wasn't just about military conquest; it was God directing the spoils of a proud nation to compensate His "servant" for executing His judgments, even if Nebuchadnezzar was unaware of his divine commission.
This prophecy comes after God declares Egypt will be humbled for its pride and serves as a divine promise to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God is directing Nebuchadnezzar's extensive and costly thirteen-year siege of Tyre, assuring him that the plunder of Egypt will compensate for his efforts. This conquest of Egypt is presented as a reward, fulfilling God's judgment against Egypt for its sins.
Did you know God uses human ambition and conquest to carry out His purposes? Even kings driven by greed can become His 'servants'.
This verse reveals a profound truth: God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. Even when Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, marched on Egypt with his own desires for power and plunder, God declared, 'Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar.'
This wasn't just a prediction; it was God orchestrating events. Nebuchadnezzar and his army were acting as instruments of divine judgment, even if they were unaware of it. They were carrying out God's will to punish Egypt for its sins and arrogance.
Think about it: God used Nebuchadnezzar's ambition to achieve His own justice. This shows that God can work through imperfect, even wicked, people to accomplish His perfect plan. He delegates tasks, assigning roles in His grand, unfolding story.
What happens to a nation when it's judged by God? The plunder and captives become 'wages' for the conquerors.
The verse doesn't just state that Egypt will be conquered; it specifies how Nebuchadnezzar's army will be compensated: 'he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army.'
This tells us that the conquest of Egypt was directly linked to the prolonged and costly siege of Tyre. Nebuchadnezzar's army had endured a long, hard campaign against Tyre, and this prophecy offers them their reward. The 'multitude,' the 'spoil,' and the 'prey' taken from Egypt would serve as payment for their service.
It's a stark reminder of the consequences of national sin. God's judgment on Egypt meant the loss of its riches and its people, becoming plunder for the very army that had been waiting for compensation. This wasn't just about political power; it was about divine justice being served, with tangible rewards for those carrying it out.
Understand the original words
sakar · Hebrew Noun
Something given in exchange for work, service, or as a reward. In a theological sense, it often denotes divine recompense, whether for righteous deeds or, as in this context, as an instrument of God's providence.
shalal · Hebrew Verb
To strip, spoil, or take away forcibly. It implies the total acquisition of goods or territory, often occurring during conquest as a form of divine judgment or recompense.
This prophecy highlights God's sovereign hand, using Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment not only against Judah but also against Egypt, rewarding his service even though Nebuchadnezzar acted out of ambition.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Campaign
Nebuchadnezzar ascends the throne and begins his military campaigns, asserting Babylonian dominance in the region.
c. 587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and exiles many Judeans, fulfilling prophecies of judgment against Judah.
c. 585 BC
Siege of Tyre Begins
Nebuchadnezzar launches a lengthy siege against the wealthy Phoenician city of Tyre, which resists fiercely.
c. 573 BC
Tyre Surrenders
After a thirteen-year siege, Tyre finally surrenders, but the spoils are limited due to the terms of surrender.
c. 573 BC— this verse
This passage calls Nebuchadnezzar God's 'servant,' directly paralleling the idea in Ezekiel that he is an instrument used by God, even if unintentionally, to execute His judgments.
Jeremiah 43:10-13This prophecy describes Nebuchadnezzar carrying out God's judgment against Egypt, even setting up his throne in Egypt, which directly relates to the conquest mentioned in Ezekiel.
Isaiah 19:1-4This passage contains a prophecy against Egypt concerning internal strife and a foreign oppressor, echoing the themes of Egypt's downfall and subjugation found in Ezekiel's prophecy.
Ezekiel 26:7-14This earlier prophecy details Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Tyre, which is presented in the scholarly context as a preceding event for which the spoil of Egypt would serve as compensation and wages for his army.
bensonEzekiel 29:19: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army."
Ezekiel 29:19-20 . He shall take her multitude, and take her spoil — Nebuchadnezzar and his army shall have the captives and spoil of Egypt, which they shall utterly pillage and lay waste. Because they wrought for me, saith the Lord — The destruction of cities…
pulpitEzekiel 29:19: "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army."
Verse 19. - Behold I give the land of Egypt, etc. For this disappointment, Ezekiel, writing, so to speak, the postscript which he incorporates with his earlier oracles, promises compensation. Egypt, as he had said seventeen years before, should be conquered, a…
This verse reveals a fascinating divine economy: God declares that Nebuchadnezzar, who had just spent thirteen fruitless years besieging Tyre, will be rewarded with the spoil of Egypt. This wasn't just about military conquest; it was God directing the spoils of a proud nation to compensate His "servant" for executing His judgments, even if Nebuchadnezzar was unaware of his divine commission.
This prophecy comes after God declares Egypt will be humbled for its pride and serves as a divine promise to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God is directing Nebuchadnezzar's extensive and costly thirteen-year siege of Tyre, assuring him that the plunder of Egypt will compensate for his efforts. This conquest of Egypt is presented as a reward, fulfilling God's judgment against Egypt for its sins.
This prophecy comes after God declares Egypt will be humbled for its pride and serves as a divine promise to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God is directing Nebuchadnezzar's extensive and costly thirteen-year siege of Tyre, assuring him that the plunder of Egypt will compensate for his efforts. This conquest of Egypt is presented as a reward, fulfilling God's judgment against Egypt for its sins.
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Prophecy of Egypt's Fall
Ezekiel delivers prophecies concerning Egypt's impending judgment, including the promise of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest and plunder.
c. 570 BC
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Egypt
Following the long siege of Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt, exploiting internal divisions and claiming its riches as compensation for his army.
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army." — This verse reveals a fascinating divine economy: God declares that Nebuchadnezzar, who had just spent thirteen fruitless years besieging Tyre, will be rewarded with the spoil of Egypt. This wasn't ju…
