Ezekiel 30:4-5
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The "great pain" in Ethiopia isn't just fear of invasion; it's described with the imagery of childbirth pangs, revealing a shared destiny with Egypt due to their alliance. This devastation extends beyond people to the very "foundations" of Egypt, signifying the ruin of its government, laws, and even its perceived invincibility.
A sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Cush, when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away, and her foundations are torn down. Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya, and the people of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is delivering a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, painting a vivid picture of its impending downfall. This verse follows God's instruction to pronounce doom on Egypt and its allies, emphasizing that the devastation will be total. The surrounding verses detail how the foreign armies will conquer Egypt, carrying off its people and dismantling its strength, illustrating the widespread panic this will cause even in neighboring Cush.
When God speaks of a 'sword' coming upon a nation, it's more than just warfare. It's a divinely appointed instrument of judgment.
The prophecy in Ezekiel 30:4 uses the 'sword' not merely as a descriptor of military conflict, but as a symbol of God's active judgment against Egypt. This isn't random violence; it's a consequence, a tool wielded by God's commission. Throughout Scripture, the sword represents divine punishment for sin and rebellion. Here, it signifies the impending invasion and subjugation of Egypt by the Chaldeans (Babylonians), who acted as instruments of God's wrath.
Judgment on one nation isn't isolated. Its shockwaves can spread, bringing fear and distress to allies and neighbors.
The prophecy highlights that the downfall of Egypt will not go unnoticed. 'Great pain shall be in Ethiopia' shows the immediate impact on a neighboring nation, often an ally. This 'pain' is described with imagery of childbirth pangs, suggesting intense anguish and fear. Ethiopia (Cush) trembles not just because of their alliance, but out of fear that the judgment sweeping through Egypt will soon reach them. This demonstrates that national sin and God's response have consequences that extend beyond the immediate target.
When God judges a nation, He doesn't just strike the surface; He aims for the very bedrock of its existence.
The verse speaks of Egypt's 'foundations' being torn down. This imagery goes beyond just crumbling buildings or destroyed cities. It refers to the fundamental structures of a nation: its government, its leadership, its laws, its economic power, and its perceived security. The prophecy signifies a complete dismantling of Egypt's societal pillars. The 'multitude' taken captive represents the loss of its people, its strength, and its future productivity. The breaking of 'foundations' signifies the utter collapse of its power and stability, leaving it vulnerable and broken.
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Understand the original words
ḥereb · Hebrew Noun
An instrument of divine judgment or warfare. It symbolizes the power of God to execute justice, punish rebellion, or bring destruction upon enemies.
ḥîlâ · Hebrew Noun
Deep distress, pain, or agonizing anxiety. It refers to the overwhelming sensation of dread and suffering that occurs when one faces inevitable divine judgment or calamity.
hāmôn · Hebrew Noun
The material possessions, resources, or prosperity of a person or nation. Biblically, reliance on earthly wealth is often shown to be fleeting in the face of God's judgment.
mûsādâ · Hebrew Noun
The base or fundamental structures upon which a society, nation, or building rests. Figuratively, it represents the core institutions, power bases, or stability of a civilization.
Ezekiel's prophecy highlights that Egypt's destruction was part of a wider geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East, with the rising Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar acting as God's instrument of judgment against nations that opposed Him or relied on false security.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports Judean nobles and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon after his victory at Carchemish.
589-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, leading to the destruction of the city and the temple, and a further deportation of Judeans.
c. 585 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Campaign Against Egypt
Following his conquest of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar invades Egypt, a campaign alluded to in Ezekiel's prophecies. This period marks the context for Ezekiel 30:4, describing the impending doom of Egypt and its allies.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ending Babylonian rule and ushering in the Persian period.
332 BC
Alexander the Great Conquers Egypt
Alexander conquers Egypt from the Persians, establishing the Hellenistic Ptolemaic Kingdom which would rule for centuries.
This passage directly describes the 'word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations,' specifically focusing on Egypt, mirroring Ezekiel's prophecy of impending doom and sword against them.
Ezekiel 29:8This verse is a direct precursor, stating 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you and against your rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly desolate from the tower of Syene to the border of Cush,' setting the stage for the invasion described in chapter 30.
Isaiah 19:1-15This chapter offers a detailed prophetic vision of God's judgment upon Egypt, including internal strife and subjugation by a powerful ruler, echoing the themes of destruction and broken foundations.
Psalm 11:3This verse speaks to the collapse of society when the foundations are destroyed, conceptually linking to Ezekiel's imagery of Egypt's 'foundations' being torn down as its governmental and societal structures crumble.
pooleEzekiel 30:4: "And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down."
The sword: see Ezekiel 29:8 . In Ethiopia; next neighbour and ally to Egypt; they shall tremble at so great danger, so near, and they uncertain whether it will come on them, but very certain to be ruined if it does come, and as certain that they have cause to suspect it will come on them. W…
jfbEzekiel 30:4: "And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down."
- pain—literally, "pangs with trembling as of a woman in childbirth."
The "great pain" in Ethiopia isn't just fear of invasion; it's described with the imagery of childbirth pangs, revealing a shared destiny with Egypt due to their alliance. This devastation extends beyond people to the very "foundations" of Egypt, signifying the ruin of its government, laws, and even its perceived invincibility.
Ezekiel is delivering a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, painting a vivid picture of its impending downfall. This verse follows God's instruction to pronounce doom on Egypt and its allies, emphasizing that the devastation will be total. The surrounding verses detail how the foreign armies will conquer Egypt, carrying off its people and dismantling its strength, illustrating the widespread panic this will cause even in neighboring Cush.
Ezekiel is delivering a prophecy of judgment against Egypt, painting a vivid picture of its impending downfall. This verse follows God's instruction to pronounce doom on Egypt and its allies, emphasizing that the devastation will be total. The surrounding verses detail how the foreign armies will conquer Egypt, carrying off its people and dismantling its strength, illustrating the widespread panic this will cause even in neighboring Cush.
"A sword shall come upon Egypt, and anguish shall be in Cush, when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away, and her foundations are torn down. Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all Arabia, and Libya, an…" — The "great pain" in Ethiopia isn't just fear of invasion; it's described with the imagery of childbirth pangs, revealing a shared destiny with Egypt due to their alliance. This devastation extends be…
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Last reviewed October 2026
