Ezekiel 30:16-18
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It's not just about destruction; the verse emphasizes that Egypt's enemies will attack "by day." This points to a brutal, open assault, stripping away any pretense of hiding, highlighting the thoroughness and shame of the impending judgment. The constant "distresses" faced daily show a relentless pressure that erodes hope and security, leaving no moment of peace.
And I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium shall be in great agony; Thebes shall be breached, and Memphis shall face enemies by day. The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword, and the women shall go into captivity. At Tehaphnehes the day shall be dark, when I break there the yoke bars of Egypt, and her proud might shall come to an end in her; she shall be covered by a cloud, and her daughters shall go into captivity.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, portraying it as a proud nation destined for judgment. Ezekiel describes the utter devastation that will come upon Egypt through invasion, with specific cities like Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis facing destruction and constant distress. The divine pronouncement paints a grim picture of military conquest, where even prominent centers of power will be torn apart and left vulnerable.
Ezekiel speaks of fire consuming Egypt. What does this fiery judgment signify, and who wields the torch?
The imagery of fire in Ezekiel is potent. It doesn't just represent destruction, but God's active wrath poured out.
A Consuming Wrath
Why the Fire?
Ezekiel names specific cities, describing their agonizing fate. What do these vivid images tell us about the reality of divine judgment?
The prophecy zooms in on particular cities, making the judgment intensely personal and concrete.
Pelusium's Agony
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Thebes' Breach
Memphis's Daily Distress
Understand the original words
shebiyth · Hebrew Noun
The state of being captured or held as a prisoner of war, often used prophetically to describe the divine judgment of exile upon rebellious nations or individuals.
Ezekiel's prophecy against Egypt was delivered during a period of significant foreign interference and conquest, including the earlier Assyrian invasions and the more recent Persian conquest. The prophecy foretells judgment by the Babylonians, who were contemporaries of Ezekiel and had recently conquered Judah, making the threat of foreign military power a palpable reality for both peoples.
c. 664 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Egypt
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under Ashurbanipal, conquers Egypt, sacking major cities like Thebes. This marks a significant period of foreign domination and upheaval for Egypt.
626-525 BC
Saite Dynasty
Egypt experiences a period of revival and independence under the 26th Dynasty, centered in Sais. They attempt to restore ancient traditions and rebuild their strength.
525 BC
Persian Conquest of Egypt
Cambyses II of Persia defeats the Egyptian army at the Battle of Pelusium, leading to the conquest of Egypt and its incorporation into the Achaemenid Empire. This subjugates Egypt under foreign rule.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, destroy Jerusalem and deport many Judeans to Babylon. This event deeply impacts the prophetic message and the understanding of God's judgment.
c. 585 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Egypt
Ezekiel delivers prophecies of judgment against Egypt, detailing its future destruction and desolation by the Babylonians. This includes specific pronouncements against its major cities like Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis.
332 BC
Conquest by Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great conquers Egypt from the Persians, establishing the city of Alexandria. This ushers in the Hellenistic period, bringing further political and cultural changes.
This passage from Jeremiah also prophesies the judgment of Egypt, specifically mentioning the destruction of its gods and rulers, which parallels Ezekiel's focus on the downfall of Egyptian cities and their inhabitants.
Nahum 3:8Nahum describes the destruction of Nineveh as being 'like a pool whose waters run away,' a powerful image of a city being breached and overthrown, similar to how Ezekiel describes Thebes ('No') being 'rent asunder'.
Isaiah 19:1Isaiah paints a picture of the Lord coming against Egypt with the same kind of destructive force, riding on a swift cloud and bringing an earthquake, setting the stage for the widespread devastation Ezekiel details.
Ezekiel 20:47-48In this earlier passage, Ezekiel speaks of God setting 'a flaming fire in every green tree and in every dry tree in Egypt,' signifying judgment that will consume the land, much like the 'fire' mentioned in Ezekiel 30:16.
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…
It's not just about destruction; the verse emphasizes that Egypt's enemies will attack "by day." This points to a brutal, open assault, stripping away any pretense of hiding, highlighting the thoroughness and shame of the impending judgment. The constant "distresses" faced daily show a relentless pressure that erodes hope and security, leaving no moment of peace.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, portraying it as a proud nation destined for judgment. Ezekiel describes the utter devastation that will come upon Egypt through invasion, with specific cities like Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis facing destruction and constant distress. The divine pronouncement paints a grim picture of military conquest, where even prominent centers of power will be torn apart and left vulnerable.
This passage is part of a larger prophecy against Egypt, portraying it as a proud nation destined for judgment. Ezekiel describes the utter devastation that will come upon Egypt through invasion, with specific cities like Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis facing destruction and constant distress. The divine pronouncement paints a grim picture of military conquest, where even prominent centers of power will be torn apart and left vulnerable.
"And I will set fire to Egypt; Pelusium shall be in great agony; Thebes shall be breached, and Memphis shall face enemies by day. The young men of On and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword, and the women shall…" — It's not just about destruction; the verse emphasizes that Egypt's enemies will attack "by day." This points to a brutal, open assault, stripping away any pretense of hiding, highlighting the thoroug…
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Last reviewed October 2026
