Ezequiel 30
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ezequiel 30:1-5
30:1 See note at Ezek. 29:1. 30:2 "prophesy" This VERB (BDB 612, KB 659) is a Niphal IMPERATIVE. It is used thirty-seven times in Ezekiel. The book is a series of messages from YHWH to Judah through Ezekiel. How or when or by whom they were gathered and combined is uncertain. ▣ "Thus says the Lord God" YHWH is the source of the message, not Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 25:3; Amos 1:3; 2:1). ▣ "Wail" This VERB (BDB 410, KB 413, Hiphil IMPERATIVE) is common in Isaiah, 13:6; 14:31; 15:2,3; 16:7 (twice); 23:1,6,14; 52:5; 65:14 Jeremiah, 4:8; 25:34; 47:2; 48:20,31,39; 49:3; 51:8 Ezekiel (only twice), 21:12; 30:2 Joel, 1:5,11,13 It denotes those who cry out like wounded animals at the judgment of God which has come upon them (i.e. "Wail, also for the day!" Ezek. 30:2-3). 30:3 "the day of the Lord" See note at Ezek. 7:19. This reference is to the immediate invasion of Neo-Babylon, not an eschatological orientation. Special Topic: The Day of the Lord ▣ "It will be a day of clouds" The phrase is an idiom of gloom (i.e. sirocco east winds from the desert, cf. Ezek. 30:18; 32:7; 34:12), but it denotes more. The clouds are often the transportation of deity (e.g. Jer. 4:13; Dan. 7:13; Nah. 1:3). Special Topic: Coming On the Clouds 30:4 "anguish" This term (BDB 298) comes from "birth pains" (BDB 296). It describes the terrible pain, emotionally and physically, of God's judgment against Philistia, Exod. 15:14 against unspecified foreign kings, Ps. 48:6 against Babylon, Isa. 13:8; 21:3; Jer. 50:43 against Israel, Jer. 6:24; 22:23 against Lebanon, Jer. 22:23 against Moab, Jer. 48:41 against Edom, Jer. 49:22 against Egypt, Ezek. 30:4,9 against Assyria, Nahum 2:10 Special Topic: Birth Pains ▣ "Ethiopia" This is literally "Cush" (BDB 468). Cush controlled Egypt during the twenty-fifth dynasty (716-663 B.C.), but had since been overthrown. However, in Ezek. 30:4 and 9 "Cush" seems to be a designation for Egypt (cf. Isa. 20:4). Special Topic: Kings of Egypt, I. ▣ "They take away her wealth" The term translated "wealth" (BDB 242) has several meanings. sound, murmur, roar of a crowd, Isa. 13:4; 17:12 tumult, confusion, Isa. 33:3 crowd, multitude, Ezek. 7:12,13; 23:42; 30:4; 39:11; Jer. 49:32 abundance, Ps. 37:16; Eccl. 5:10; Isa. 60:5 Context must determine which fits best. Because of Ezek. 29:19 some choose #4, but 30:4 itself supports #3. Notice the same ambiguity in Ezek. 30:10. 30:5 This verse refers to (1) mercenary soldiers (cf. Ezek. 30:8; 27:10) or (2) allies (i.e. "in league," Ezek. 30:5; and Ezek. 30:6,8). Ethiopia/Cush (BDB 468), cf. Ezek. 27:10; 38:5; Gen. 10:13 Put/Libia (BDB 806), cf. Gen. 10:6; Jer. 46:9 Lud/Lydia (BDB 530 [1] it is possible to link them with the northern Mediterranean, cf. Isa. 66:19 or [2] it is grammatically possible that all three denote Egypt) Arabia (Peshitta, BDB 787) or "mixed people" (LXX. NKJV, BDB 786), both have the same consonants Libya/Kub (see note below; BDB 464, cf. Gen. 10:13, another descendant of Ham living in northeast Africa) "the people of the land," this phrase refers to another people group, but which one is uncertain. Some commentators speculate that because the term "covenant"/berith is used it refers to Jews living in north Africa (i.e. Jer. 44:1). NASB, TEV, NRSV, NJB, Peshitta "all Arabia" "all the mingled people" "all the Arabs" "all the mixed populations" "all these mixed in" This verse is describing the people groups connected to Egypt that will experience the judgment of YHWH. The Hebrew words mixed company ‒ ערב, BDB 786, cf. Jer. 25:20; 50:37 Arabian ‒ ערבי, BB 787 are very similar. The UBS Text Project, p. 97, suggests option #1 with a "B" rating (some doubt). It is PLURAL and may refer to mercenary troops. NASB, NRSV, REB, LXX "Libya" NKJV, Peshitta "Chub" "Kub" NJB, JPSOA "Cub" The MT has כיב (BDB 464; TEV, NJB, JPSOA, Peshitta) but many translations emend it to לוב (BDB 530; LXX, NRSV, REB). The UBS Text Project, p. 98, gives the MT a "B" rating. In the list of people groups allied with Egypt, Lud and Lydia are spelled similarly. Lud ‒ לוד (BDB 530) Lydia ‒ לוב (BDB 530)
Ezequiel 30:6-9
30:6 "the pride of her power will come down" This is the common thread between Tyre and Egypt (cf. Ezek. 28:2; 29:9b). ▣ "From Migdol to Syene" See note at Ezek. 29:10. ▣ "by the sword" YHWH sends the sword (cf. Ezek. 7:15). In this context, the sword is Nebuchadnezzar II's army (cf. Ezek. 21; 30:10-11). 30:8 Fire is often the imagery used to describe YHWH's judgment (cf. Ezek. 30:14,16; 5:4; 10:2,6-7; 15:4-7; 16:41; 19:12,14; 20:45-49; 21:31-32; 23:25,47; 24:10,12; 39:6). Special Topic: Fire 30:9 Notice the words and phrases that refer to Egypt's day of judgment. "on that day" "on the day of Egypt" "it comes" Special Topic: That Day ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB "in ships" LXX, RSV, NEB "rushing" "in haste" — The MT has "in ship" (BDB 850). The UBS Text Project, p. 98, suggests this reading over the LXX with a "B" rating (some doubt). in ship ‒ בצים (MT) hurrying ‒ אצים (LXX)
Ezequiel 30:10-12
30:10 "hand" See Special Topic: Hand ▣ "Nebuchadnezzar" This is literally "Nebuchadressar." It is difficult to translate a foreign name into a new language. This Neo-Babylonian king's name was "Nabu-Kudurri-usur," which may mean "Nebo, protect the boundary" "Nebo, watch over my heir (i.e. eldest son)" "Nebo, protect the crown" "Nebo, protect against misfortune" The OT spells the name in three ways. נבוכדנצר נבוכדנאצר נבוכדרער Special Topic: Nebo 30:11 "The most ruthless of the nations" This phrase describes the mercenary army of Nebuchadnezzar II, King of Neo-Babylon (cf. Ezek. 28:7; 31:12; 32:12; Hab. 1:6-8). 30:12 Notice the number of FIRST PERSON SINGULAR VERBS referring to YHWH's sovereignty. I will make, BDB 678, KB 733,Qal PERFECT with waw I will sell, BDB 569, KB 581, Qal PERFECT with waw I will make (lit. "I will bring desolation"), BDB 1030, KB 1563, Hiphil PERFECT with waw I, the Lord, have spoken, BDB 180, KB 210, Piel PERFECT Number 2 is especially interesting because it uses a term normally reserved for YHWH's actions toward unfaithful Israel (cf. Deut. 32:30; Jdg. 2:14; 3:8; 4:2,9; 10:7; 1 Sam. 12:9). The usage here implies YHWH's ownership of all lands and all peoples (cf. Deut. 32:8). "Sell" is imagery for giving a people group into the hand of another group. A nation loses its autonomy.
Ezequiel 30:13-19
30:13-19 Notice the list of Egyptian allies. Memphis, Ezek. 30:13,16, first known capital of Egypt named Menes after the first powerful king. Its chief deity was Ptah, the creator-god. The later name, Memphis, came from its association with the pyramid of Pepi I. Pathros, Ezek. 30:14, see note at Ezek. 29:14 Zoan, Ezek. 30:14, also called Tanis and probably the Hyksos Avaris, later called Ramesses, the delta capital of Egypt in 21 st and 22 nd dynasties (i.e. the area where Jacob settled) Thebes, Ezek. 30:14,16, is the location of the valleys of the kings and temples of Amun. Today it is called Luxor, about 400 miles south of Cairo. Sin (LXX, Syene), Ezek. 30:15,16, a city is located in the delta. In Greek it is called Pelusium (i.e. city of mud). It guarded the highway to the north. On (LXX, Heliopolis), Ezek. 30:17, this city is close to Cairo in the delta region. In Greek it is called Heliopolis (i.e. city of the sun). It was one of the cities built by Hebrew slaves (cf. Exod. 1:11). Pi-beseth, Ezek. 30:17, later the capital of Egypt (22 nd dynasty). It was named after the goddess Bastet (woman with cat head). It was made famous by Pharaoh Shishak. Tehaphnehes, Ezek. 30:18, in Jer. 43:7 it is spelled Tahpanhes. It is located on the highway going to Arabia in the eastern delta region. 30:13 "the idols" There were several categories of idols (BDB 156) in Egypt. royal rulers (Pharaohs) animals half human, half animals fertility gods Each city had their own chief god and/or goddess. ▣ "images" This (BDB 47) is parallel to "idols." Its basic meaning is uncertain, but the same root in Syriac means "weak," "feeble," "poor." It has the connotation of that which is insufficient or worthless. It is translated "idols" in Leviticus 19:4; 26:1; Psalm 96:5; 97:7; Isa. 2:8,18,20(twice); 10:10; 19:1,3; 31:7(twice); Hab. 2:18. ▣ "there will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt" Apparently Neo-Babylon's conquest and exile completely removed all the royal family to Babylon. Pharoah Hophra was assassinated and a new dynasty started. 30:14 "Zoan" This is a Hebrew form of the name of a famous ancient city (cf. Num. 13:22) in the eastern delta region that is known by several names. Avaris (Hyksos name) Pi-Ramesse (moved to a new location to the north which became Zoan, ABD, vol. 6, p. 1106) Tanis (later Greek name) It was the northern capital of several Egyptian dynasties (i.e. Hyksos and Ramses II). It became the site of a revival temple to Amon (original temple was at Thebes). It is mentioned in the OT in Num. 13:22; Isa. 19:11,13; 30:4; Ezek. 30:14, as well as Ps. 78:12,43. 30:15 NASB, NRSV, TEV "Thebes" NKJV, NJB, JPSOA, Peshitta "No" "Noph" "Memphis" The MT has "No" (נא, BDB 609), which was later called Thebes. The NEB, REB have "Noph" (נף, BDB 592), which was also called "Memphis" (LXX). The UBS Text Project, p. 98, gives "No" a "B" rating (some doubt). Both "No" and "Memphis" are mentioned in v. 16. 30:16 "writhe in anguish" This VERB (BDB 296, KB 297) is repeated to denote intensity (i.e. INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT and IMPERFECT VERB). ▣ "will be breached" This is a Niphal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 131, KB 149). The TEV and NJB follow the Septuagint, which sees the breach as referring to the city's (i.e. Thebes) walls breaking and letting the Nile flood the city. The Septuagint (LXX) does not mention Memphis in the closing line of Ezek. 30:16. 30:17-18 The NASB translates "they" (a FEMININE PLURAL ) of Ezek. 30:17b as "the women," while NKJV translates "they" as "these cities" (also FEMININE in Hebrew), as do NRSV and NJB. The TEV identified "they" as other people. The NASB probably bases its understanding on the parallelism of Ezek. 30:18e. 30:18 "the day will be dark" Most English translations change the MT's "shall be withheld" (BDB 362, חשׂך, JPSOA) to "will be darkened" (BDB 364, חשׁך, LXX, Peshitta). ▣ "the pride of her power will cease" Pride is a major spiritual problem for humans, angels, and nations. It is the essence of the self-centeredness of Genesis 3. It is always followed by divine judgment (e.g. Ezek. 28:2; 29:3; 32:12; 33:28; Isa. 14:13-14; 16:6; 25:11). Special Topic: Lifted Up
Ezequiel 30:20-26
30:20-26 This is a new revelation about YHWH's judgment on Egypt, which uses the idiom of "arm" in several ways. Arm is imagery for ability. I have broken the arm of Pharaoh, Ezek. 30:21,22. Pharaoh Hophra gave himself the title of "The Strong-Armed One." This is, therefore, powerful irony. It has not been bound up for healing, Ezek. 30:21 Or wrapped with a bandage that it may be strong to hold the sword, Ezek. 30:21 I will make the sword fall from his hands, Ezek. 30:22 I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, Ezek. 30:24,25 I will put My sword in his hand, Ezek. 30:24,25 I will break the arms of Pharaoh, Jer. 48:25 The arms of Pharaoh will fall, Jer. 37:5 Special Topic: Hand