Ezekiel 30:1-26

Ezekiel 30. The Desolation of Egypt.— The interrupted denunciation of Egypt is resumed. The neighbours and allies will be involved in her ruin, which is to be effected by Nebuchadrezzar and his “ terrible” army ( Ezekiel 30:1-2 Kings :). (In Ezekiel 30:5, for “ Put and Lud” see Ezekiel 27:10: for “ mingled people” read “ Arabians.” For “ Cub,” read “ Lub” = Lybians; and for the next clause read “ the Cretans.” )

The collapse of Egypt is then described in detail, the towns which are singled out for special mention being all of religious, political, or military importance ( Ezekiel 30:13-Psalms :). (In Ezekiel 30:13, the LXX omits the clause referring to “ idols,” and rightly reads “ magnates” for “ images.” Noph ( Isaiah 19:13 *) = Memphis (near Cairo), capital of Lower Egypt. Pathros = Upper Egypt. Zoan ( Isaiah 19:11 *), on the second easterly arm of the Nile. No ( Nahum 3:8 *) = Thebes, capital of Upper Egypt. Sin = Pelusium. on eastern frontier. Aven should be On = Heliopolis. Pi-beseth = Bubastis, in Lower Egypt, like On. Tehaphnehes, a fortress near Pelusium. In Ezekiel 30:18, for “ yokes” read “ sceptres.” )

The next oracle ( Ezekiel 30:20-:) announces that the threat has already been partially fulfilled. Nebuchadrezzar, who is really Yahweh’ s servant and wields Yahweh’ s sword ( cf. Ezekiel 21:3) has already broken one arm of Pharaoh, so that it can no longer hold the sword— an allusion apparently to Egypt’ s unsuccessful attempt to relieve the beleaguered Jerusalem ( cf. Jeremiah 37:5). All these experiences are designed to teach Egypt the power and character of Yahweh. (In Ezekiel 30:21, roller = bandage.)