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)
What's striking here is that the destruction isn't just a general conflagration; it's deeply personal and public. The verse highlights that the famous cities of Egypt will not just be conquered, but ripped apart and exposed to constant, open harassment, making even the daylight a source of terror. This isn't a quiet fall, but a humiliating and relentless dismantling.
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)
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where Ezekiel is detailing God's judgment against Egypt for its arrogance and reliance on its own strength. Immediately before this, specific cities like Pelusium and Thebes are mentioned as targets, setting the stage for a wider devastation. The verse expands on this judgment, describing the utter ruin and constant distress that will befall key Egyptian strongholds, emphasizing the thoroughness of God's impending wrath.
Ezekiel's prophecy paints a brutal picture of Egypt's downfall. But why such intense judgment?
This prophecy isn't just about military defeat; it's about God's sovereign hand at work. Ezekiel declares God will 'set fire to Egypt.' This fiery imagery speaks to total devastation and judgment. The specific cities mentioned – Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis – represent the heart of Egypt's power and influence.
The Purpose of the Fire
The verse doesn't just speak of destruction; it describes the experience of it. What does 'agony' and 'distress' look like in God's judgment?
The prophecy vividly portrays the terror and chaos that engulfs Egypt's great cities:
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These descriptions move beyond abstract judgment to the concrete experience of fear, violence, and overwhelming defeat.
Ezekiel's prophecy against Egypt isn't just about divine judgment; it's deeply rooted in the geopolitical turmoil of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, a time when Egypt was a battleground for larger empires like Babylon and Persia.
c. 664 BC
Assyrian Sack of Thebes
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Ashurbanipal sacked the ancient Egyptian capital of Thebes, a devastating blow to the city and a sign of declining Egyptian power.
c. 610-595 BC
Reign of Pharaoh Apries
During the reign of Apries, Egypt experienced internal strife and faced increasing external pressures, particularly from the rising Babylonian Empire.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Campaign
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II achieved a decisive victory over Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish, significantly weakening Egyptian influence in the region.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, leading many Judean refugees to flee to Egypt, complicating Egypt's political and social landscape.
c. 570 BC— this verse
Babylonian Invasion of Egypt
Nebuchadnezzar II launched a major military campaign against Egypt, targeting its major cities and inflicting significant damage. This invasion is the primary historical backdrop for Ezekiel's prophecy.
c. 525 BC
Persian Conquest of Egypt
The Persian Empire, under Cambyses II, conquered Egypt, ending its period of independence and further subjugating the land.
This passage speaks of a fire coming to the 'forest of the South' (a poetic term for Egypt), mirroring the 'fire' mentioned in Ezekiel 30:16 that will consume the land.
Jeremiah 46:25-26This prophecy directly addresses the judgment coming upon Egypt, specifically mentioning the destruction of its strength and the defeat of its gods (like Amon-Ra of No), echoing the downfall of cities like Thebes (No) and Memphis (Noph).
Nahum 3:8-10This vivid description of Nineveh's destruction by the waters being broken through and its people in distress by day offers a parallel image to the 'breached' walls of Thebes (No) and the 'distresses' faced daily by Memphis (Noph).
Zephaniah 2:4-5This passage describes the desolation that will come upon Philistine cities, including Ashdod being driven out at noon, which parallels the idea of cities in Egypt facing their enemies openly and by day without refuge.
clarkeEzekiel 30:16: "And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily."
Noph - Cairo or Kahira; see Ezekiel 30:13 .
pooleEzekiel 30:16: "And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily."
Will set fire: see Ezekiel 30:14 , and Ezekiel 20:47 . Sin : see Ezekiel 30:15 . Great pain: see Ezekiel 30:9 . No: Ezekiel 30:14,15 . Rent asunder; her walls, and towers, and fortresses battered, torn, and broken through by the continued violence of engines, and by the assaults of the soldiers. Noph: see Ezekiel 30:13 . Distresses: being the chief city w…
What's striking here is that the destruction isn't just a general conflagration; it's deeply personal and public. The verse highlights that the famous cities of Egypt will not just be conquered, but ripped apart and exposed to constant, open harassment, making even the daylight a source of terror. This isn't a quiet fall, but a humiliating and relentless dismantling.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where Ezekiel is detailing God's judgment against Egypt for its arrogance and reliance on its own strength. Immediately before this, specific cities like Pelusium and Thebes are mentioned as targets, setting the stage for a wider devastation. The verse expands on this judgment, describing the utter ruin and constant distress that will befall key Egyptian strongholds, emphasizing the thoroughness of God's impending wrath.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy where Ezekiel is detailing God's judgment against Egypt for its arrogance and reliance on its own strength. Immediately before this, specific cities like Pelusium and Thebes are mentioned as targets, setting the stage for a wider devastation. The verse expands on this judgment, describing the utter ruin and constant distress that will befall key Egyptian strongholds, emphasizing the thoroughness of God's impending wrath.
"And I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium shall be in great agony; Thebes shall be breached, and Memphis shall face enemies by day." — What's striking here is that the destruction isn't just a general conflagration; it's deeply personal and public. The verse highlights that the famous cities of Egypt will not just be conquered, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026