Ezekiel 30:21
“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up, to heal it by binding it with a bandage, so that it may become strong to wield the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God emphasizes that Pharaoh's broken arm won't even be tended with a bandage, highlighting the severity of the injury. This isn't just a temporary setback; it signifies a permanent weakening, a loss of Egypt's power to wield influence and wage war on the world stage.
This prophecy is part of God's judgment against Egypt, a nation that often relied on its military might but ultimately brought no real help to God's people. Ezekiel had already declared the desolation of Egypt, and now the prophet focuses on how Egypt's strength, represented by its king Pharaoh, has been irrevocably broken. This isn't just a temporary setback; the imagery emphasizes that this wound is too severe to be healed or bandaged, signifying Egypt's permanent loss of power and inability to wield its sword effectively in future conflicts.
Understand the original words
ben 'adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title used for the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity in contrast to the divine glory he encounters; it highlights his role as a representative of the human race before God.
zeroa' · Hebrew Noun
In biblical metaphor, the arm represents strength, power, military might, and the capacity to act or dominate. Breaking the arm symbolizes the stripping away of power and the total defeat of political or military capability.
Par'oh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The sovereign ruler of Egypt. In the prophetic corpus, Pharaoh often symbolizes worldly pride, oppression of God's people, and reliance on human power rather than divine provision.
cherev · Hebrew Noun
The 'broken arm' of Pharaoh represents Egypt's diminished military power, particularly after defeats by Babylon. The prophecy emphasizes that this weakening is a divine judgment, not a temporary setback; Egypt's strength would not be restored to challenge God's purposes.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonian army, led by Nebuchadnezzar, decisively defeated the Egyptians under Pharaoh Necho II. This victory transferred control of the Near East from Egypt to Babylon.
c. 588-587 BC— this verse
Siege of Jerusalem
While Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) led an Egyptian army to relieve the city. They initially compelled the Babylonians to withdraw, but later faced their own defeat.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
After the Egyptian relief army withdrew, the Babylonians renewed the siege and ultimately conquered Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many Judeans. This event is a backdrop to much of Ezekiel's prophecy.
c. 568-567 BC
Babylonian Invasion of Egypt
Nebuchadnezzar II later led a campaign into Egypt, further weakening Pharaoh Hophra's rule and prestige, although the full extent of this invasion's impact is debated.
This passage directly parallels the imagery of a broken 'arm' and the lack of healing for Egypt, emphasizing God's judgment and the inability of earthly remedies to restore what He has broken.
Psalm 37:17This Psalm speaks to the ultimate futility of the strength of the wicked, which echoes Ezekiel's declaration that Pharaoh's 'arm' (power) will not be healed or made strong again.
Ezekiel 29:3This earlier prophecy against Pharaoh sets the stage by calling him a 'dragon' and predicting God's intervention against him, making Ezekiel 30:21 a specific and detailed fulfillment of that judgment.
1 Samuel 2:31This passage foretells God raising up a 'faithful priest' who will walk contrary to Him, implying a future breaking of the established power, much like the breaking of Pharaoh's arm signifies the end of Egypt's might.
Jeremiah 48:25This prophecy against Moab uses the metaphor of a broken horn or arm to describe the loss of power and pride, showing how this imagery of physical breaking was a common way to express divine judgment on nations.
barnesEzekiel 30:21: "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword."
I have broken - Especially by the defeat at Carchemish. A roller - Or, a bandage.
pulpitEzekiel 30:21: "Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword."
Verse 21. - I have broken the arm. The metaphor was in itself one of the most familiar (Ezekiel 17:9; Ezekiel 22:6; 1 Samuel 2:31; Jeremiah 48:25). What is characteristic in Ezekiel is the way in which he follows the figure, so to speak, into its surgical details. A man with a broken arm might be cured and f…
God emphasizes that Pharaoh's broken arm won't even be tended with a bandage, highlighting the severity of the injury. This isn't just a temporary setback; it signifies a permanent weakening, a loss of Egypt's power to wield influence and wage war on the world stage.
This prophecy is part of God's judgment against Egypt, a nation that often relied on its military might but ultimately brought no real help to God's people. Ezekiel had already declared the desolation of Egypt, and now the prophet focuses on how Egypt's strength, represented by its king Pharaoh, has been irrevocably broken. This isn't just a temporary setback; the imagery emphasizes that this wound is too severe to be healed or bandaged, signifying Egypt's permanent loss of power and inability to wield its sword effectively in future conflicts.
This prophecy is part of God's judgment against Egypt, a nation that often relied on its military might but ultimately brought no real help to God's people. Ezekiel had already declared the desolation of Egypt, and now the prophet focuses on how Egypt's strength, represented by its king Pharaoh, has been irrevocably broken. This isn't just a temporary setback; the imagery emphasizes that this wound is too severe to be healed or bandaged, signifying Egypt's permanent loss of power and inability to wield its sword effectively in future conflicts.
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A common instrument of divine judgment in the Old Testament, representing warfare, authority, or the execution of justice against nations or individuals.
"“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and behold, it has not been bound up, to heal it by binding it with a bandage, so that it may become strong to wield the sword." — God emphasizes that Pharaoh's broken arm won't even be tended with a bandage, highlighting the severity of the injury. This isn't just a temporary setback; it signifies a permanent weakening, a loss…
