Ezekiel 30:15-16
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The prophecy doesn't just target specific cities; it aims to dismantle Egypt's very sense of security by striking its "strength"—Pelusium, the crucial frontier fortress—and then eradicating the "multitude," the immense population of the southern capital, Thebes. This demonstrates God's power to overwhelm even the most heavily fortified and populous centers, leaving no corner of the nation untouched.
And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the multitude of Thebes. And I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium shall be in great agony; Thebes shall be breached, and Memphis shall face enemies by day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is delivering a series of prophecies against Egypt, detailing its impending destruction by the Babylonian army. This specific verse targets two major Egyptian strongholds: Pelusium, a key frontier fortress, and Thebes, a wealthy and populous ancient capital. The language emphasizes the totality of God's judgment, striking Egypt from its northern defenses to its southern heartland.
Why does the prophet single out this specific 'stronghold' at Egypt's border? What made it so important, and why was its destruction a sign of God's judgment?
The verse speaks of God pouring His fury on 'Sin,' identified by commentators as Pelusium. This city was strategically vital, considered the 'key' or 'bulwark' of Egypt, especially from the northeast.
The judgment doesn't stop at the border. Why does God specifically mention cutting off the 'multitude of Thebes,' the heart of Egypt?
The verse dramatically shifts focus from the northern frontier stronghold of Pelusium to the southern capital, Thebes (also known as No-Amon or Hamon-No). This geographical sweep underscores the totality of God's judgment.
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Understand the original words
hemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, righteous displeasure and holy anger of God directed against sin and rebellion. It is not an irrational outburst but a settled, consistent response of God's holiness to wickedness.
ma‘oz · Hebrew Noun
A place of military defense and security. When God "cuts off" or destroys a stronghold, it demonstrates that human defenses, walls, and military power are futile against the judgment of the Almighty.
Ezekiel's prophecy targets Pelusium ('Sin'), the strategic 'key' to Egypt's defense on the northeast frontier, and Thebes ('No-Amon'), the ancient capital in the south, showing the comprehensive judgment coming upon Egypt from all sides.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Conquest of Thebes
The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal sacked the wealthy Egyptian capital of Thebes, weakening its power and influencing later prophecies about its destruction.
671 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Egypt
The Assyrian Empire under Esarhaddon conquered parts of Egypt, installing local rulers and demonstrating foreign military power over the region.
c. 664 BC
Assyrian Sack of Thebes (Again)
Ashurbanipal's forces again sacked Thebes, this time taking vast amounts of treasure and further demonstrating the vulnerability of Egypt's great cities.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Campaign in Egypt
Following the Battle of Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon pursued fleeing Egyptian forces into Egypt, likely engaging frontier defenses.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile marked a period of intense upheaval in the ancient Near East, with Babylon as the dominant superpower.
c. 570 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Invasion of Egypt
Ezekiel prophesied during the height of Babylonian power. Nebuchadnezzar launched a significant invasion of Egypt, targeting its key cities like Pelusium and Thebes.
525 BC
Persian Conquest of Egypt
Cambyses II of Persia conquered Egypt, ending its period of independence and bringing it under foreign rule, further fulfilling prophecies of Egypt's subjugation.
This passage speaks of God pouring out His indignation and fury, directly mirroring the 'pour out my wrath' language used against Egypt here.
Jeremiah 46:25This verse directly prophesies the destruction of Thebes ('the multitude of No') and its god Amon, showing a consistent theme of divine judgment against Egypt's power and idolatry.
Nahum 3:8Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh references the downfall of Thebes ('No-amon'), highlighting its former greatness and vulnerability, underscoring that no city, no matter how mighty, is beyond God's judgment.
Ezekiel 29:1-12This earlier chapter in Ezekiel also declares judgment on Egypt and its king, Pharaoh, calling him the 'great monster lying in the midst of his rivers' and prophesying his defeat and the desolation of the land.
Isaiah 19:1-10Isaiah foretells a violent uprising and civil strife within Egypt, leading to its weakness and the trembling of its mighty men, paralleling the divine judgment Ezekiel describes.
pooleEzekiel 30:15: "And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No."
Will pour my fury: see Ezekiel 21:31 . Sin; either Sain, or more likely Pelusium, which was a frontier, and secured the entrance of Egypt from the desert of Sin, was the key of Egypt, and therefore always well fortified and strongly garrisoned; it was called Damtiata. The strength of Egypt; one of the principal munitions of Egypt; for it was a good and large haven, and was strengthe…
cambridgeEzekiel 30:15: "And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No."
15 . Sin, called here the “bulwark of Egypt,” is usually identified with Pelusium, which lying on the N. E. frontier of the country might be considered the key to it. multitude of No ] i.e. No-Amon ( Nahum 3:8 ) or Thebes, the capital of Upper Egypt, Jeremiah 46:25 .
The prophecy doesn't just target specific cities; it aims to dismantle Egypt's very sense of security by striking its "strength"—Pelusium, the crucial frontier fortress—and then eradicating the "multitude," the immense population of the southern capital, Thebes. This demonstrates God's power to overwhelm even the most heavily fortified and populous centers, leaving no corner of the nation untouched.
Ezekiel is delivering a series of prophecies against Egypt, detailing its impending destruction by the Babylonian army. This specific verse targets two major Egyptian strongholds: Pelusium, a key frontier fortress, and Thebes, a wealthy and populous ancient capital. The language emphasizes the totality of God's judgment, striking Egypt from its northern defenses to its southern heartland.
Ezekiel is delivering a series of prophecies against Egypt, detailing its impending destruction by the Babylonian army. This specific verse targets two major Egyptian strongholds: Pelusium, a key frontier fortress, and Thebes, a wealthy and populous ancient capital. The language emphasizes the totality of God's judgment, striking Egypt from its northern defenses to its southern heartland.
"And I will pour out my wrath on Pelusium, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the multitude of Thebes. And I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium shall be in great agony; Thebes shall be breached, and Memph…" — The prophecy doesn't just target specific cities; it aims to dismantle Egypt's very sense of security by striking its "strength"—Pelusium, the crucial frontier fortress—and then eradicating the "mult…
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Last reviewed October 2026
