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)
This verse reveals that God isn't just punishing Egypt; He's also paying Nebuchadnezzar's army. The plunder taken from Egypt isn't just spoils of war for the Babylonians, but a divinely appointed reward, a "wage" for their labor, even though they were likely unaware they were serving God's purposes. This highlights how God orchestrates even human ambition and conquest to accomplish His justice.
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)
This prophecy comes after God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and betrayal of His people. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has been laboring in a long siege of Tyre, but the verse explains that God will now give him the riches of Egypt as compensation for his efforts. It’s a divine redirection, turning his focus and efforts towards Egypt to fulfill God's purposes and reward his service, even though he may not have fully understood his role in God's plan.
Have you ever felt like powerful empires and leaders do whatever they want, with no one to answer to? This passage reminds us who is truly in charge.
The prophet Ezekiel declares that the Lord God gives the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This isn't a suggestion or a passive observation; it's an act of divine sovereignty.
A Divine Decree
Imagine a soldier fighting a long, hard battle and finally receiving their pay. What if that pay comes from an unexpected source, and for a service they didn't fully understand?
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This verse explains the 'why' behind God's decree: Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Egypt will serve as payment for his army's efforts.
Divine Compensation
Egypt had a history of taking from other nations. This verse reveals a principle of divine justice: what goes around, comes around.
The prophecy declares that Nebuchadnezzar will 'take her spoil, and take her prey.' This wasn't just random looting; it was a direct consequence of Egypt's own actions.
Retributive Justice
This act of divine retribution served as a warning and a consequence for Egypt's arrogance and complicity with other nations against God's people.
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 was given during or shortly after the lengthy siege of Tyre, where Nebuchadnezzar's army found little reward. God directs him to Egypt, an act of divine judgment upon Egypt and compensation for his 'servant's' efforts.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's early victories
Nebuchadnezzar defeats the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish, significantly weakening their influence in the region and establishing Babylonian dominance.
c. 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem and exiles many Judeans to Babylon, an event that deeply impacts Ezekiel and his audience.
c. 586–573 BC
Siege of Tyre
Nebuchadnezzar undertakes a long and difficult siege against the wealthy Phoenician city of Tyre, which ultimately surrenders. This prolonged campaign strained his resources.
c. 570s BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt
Following the long siege of Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar turns his attention to Egypt. The prophecy suggests he will conquer it and take vast spoils.
c. 570s BC
Internal strife in Egypt
Egypt was experiencing internal conflict, with a rebellion against Pharaoh Hophra led by Amasis. This weakened Egypt, making it vulnerable to Nebuchadnezzar's invasion.
c. 568 BC
Egypt becomes a Babylonian province
After Nebuchadnezzar's campaign, Egypt falls under Babylonian influence or direct control, providing immense wealth and resources as 'wages' for his army.
This passage directly calls Nebuchadnezzar God's servant, echoing the theme in Ezekiel that even pagan kings could be instruments of God's judgment and plans.
Jeremiah 46:25-26This prophecy is a direct parallel, stating that God will punish Egypt and bring Nebuchadnezzar against them, promising their destruction and restoration, showing a consistent divine plan for Egypt across prophets.
Isaiah 19:1-15This chapter describes God bringing a 'cruel lord' to rule over Egypt and causing confusion and devastation, aligning with the fulfillment of judgment described in Ezekiel 29.
Ezekiel 26:7-14Similar to Egypt, Ezekiel prophesied Tyre's complete destruction and plunder by Nebuchadnezzar, showing a pattern of God using Babylon to judge proud nations and reward His instruments.
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 that God isn't just punishing Egypt; He's also paying Nebuchadnezzar's army. The plunder taken from Egypt isn't just spoils of war for the Babylonians, but a divinely appointed reward, a "wage" for their labor, even though they were likely unaware they were serving God's purposes. This highlights how God orchestrates even human ambition and conquest to accomplish His justice.
This prophecy comes after God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and betrayal of His people. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has been laboring in a long siege of Tyre, but the verse explains that God will now give him the riches of Egypt as compensation for his efforts. It’s a divine redirection, turning his focus and efforts towards Egypt to fulfill God's purposes and reward his service, even though he may not have fully understood his role in God's plan.
This prophecy comes after God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and betrayal of His people. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has been laboring in a long siege of Tyre, but the verse explains that God will now give him the riches of Egypt as compensation for his efforts. It’s a divine redirection, turning his focus and efforts towards Egypt to fulfill God's purposes and reward his service, even though he may not have fully understood his role in God's plan.
"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 that God isn't just punishing Egypt; He's also paying Nebuchadnezzar's army. The plunder taken from Egypt isn't just spoils of war for the Babylonians, but a divinely appointed rew…
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Last reviewed October 2026