Ezequiel 29
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Ezequiel 29
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS The prophecies against Egypt run from Ezek. 29:1 through 32:32. Egypt was an active political influence during this period of Judean history. She tried to offer political security against Neo-Babylon. Egypt promised aid to Judah and Tyre; she promised more than she could perform (cf. Isa. 30:1-3; 31:1-3; Jer. 2:18,36; Lam. 4:17). The characteristic literary marker, "the word of the Lord came to me saying," occurs seven times in this literary unit. They mark off different prophecies. Ezek. 29:1 (587 B.C.) Ezek. 29:17 (571 B.C.) Ezek. 30:1 Ezek. 30:20 Ezek. 31:1 Ezek. 32:1 Ezek. 32:17 All are dated except number 3, why is unknown. The first date (i.e. Ezek. 29:1) is about a year after Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem began. Apparently Egypt fielded her army against Nebuchadnezzar's forces (cf. Jer. 37:7), but quickly retreated. See Special Topic: Kings of Neo-Babylon
Ezequiel 29:1-7
29:1 There is a series of dates mentioned in connection with this literary unit related to YHWH's judgment on Egypt (i.e. Ezek. 29:1-32:32). See note at Contextual Insights, B. 29:2 "Son of man" See note at Ezek. 2:1. Special Topic: Son of Man ▣ "set your face against" See note at Ezek. 28:21. ▣ "set. . .prophesy. . .speak" These are all commands. "set," BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE "prophesy," BDB 612, KB 659, Niphal IMPERATIVE "speak," Ezek. 29:3, BDB 180, KB 210, Piel IMPERATIVE These are not Ezekiel's words nor his message! 29:3-7 This is a poetic lamentation (i.e. funeral dirge). 29:3 "the Lord God" This is the recurrent title for Deity (i.e. Adonai YHWH), used so often in the book of Ezekiel. Special Topic: Lord (adon and kurios) Special Topic: Names for Deity, D. ▣ "Pharaoh" This (BDB 829, KB 971) is the characteristic title for Egyptian kings starting with the Eighteenth Dynasty. It means "the great house" (i.e. royal family). ▣ "That has said, ‘My Nile is mine, and I myself have made it'" As the king of Tyre claimed deity (cf. Ezek. 28:2,9), so too, the Pharaohs of Egypt (cf. Ezek. 29:9b). The name of the Pharaoh at that time was Hophra or Apries (589-570 B.C.). Herodotus mentions his claim to divine power in Hist. 2.169. The Nile and the sun were the chief deities of Egypt (i.e. depending on the city and the particular Pharaoh). Special Topic: KIngs of Egypt ▣ "the great monster" "O great monster" NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "the great dragon" "you great monster" "the great crocodile" "you monster crocodile" "mighty monster" This term ("tanin," BDB 1072, KB 1764; "jackal" does not fit the context) means serpent, Exod. 7:9,1012; Deut. 32:33; Ps. 91:13; see Special Topic: The Serpent dragon, Neh. 2:13; Jer. 51:34; see Special Topic: The Great Red Dragon sea/river monster, Gen. 1:21; Job 7:12; Ps. 74:13; 148:7. It is parallel to Leviathan (cf. Psalm 74:13-14). It is used as a metaphor for Egypt in Isa. 27:1; 51:9,10; Ezek. 29:3; 32:2; see Special Topic: Leviathan The two great river systems of the Ancient Near East were the cradles of civilization (i.e. the Nile and the Tigris/Euphrates). Tanin (BDB 1072) is parallel with Leviathan, Ps. 74:13-14; Isa. 27:1 Rahab, Ps. 89:9-10; Isa. 30:7; 51:9 Bashan, Ps. 68:22; Amos 9:3 (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 87) The context shows us that "serpent, dragon, sea-monster" (תנין, BDB 1072) is a better word choice than "jackal" (תן, BDB 1072, KB 1759, which is supported by the UBS Text Project, p. 95; though both meanings are philologically possible). 29:4-8 These verses describe what YHWH will do to the arrogant leaders of Egypt. I shall put hooks in your jaws, Ezek. 29:4 I shall make fish cling to your scales, Ezek. 29:4 (twice) I shall bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, Ezek. 29:4 I shall abandon you and all your fish to the wilderness, Ezek. 29:5 fall in open field be gathered for food (1) beasts (2) birds I shall bring a sword upon you, Ezek. 29:6,11 man beasts Notice all the FIRST PERSON SINGULAR NOUNS. YHWH is the one and only true God. He alone can act in judgment. The mighty river beast is brought onto the land where he is helpless and will die. He will be eaten by the creatures of the wilderness. 29:4 "hook" This (BDB 296) can mean thorn or thistle, cf. 2 Kgs. 14:9; Prov. 26:9; Isa. 34:13; Hosea 9:6 here, imageries for meat or fish hooks ‒ these were used (first by the Assyrians) to control and humiliate people being taken into exile/slavery (cf. Isa. 37:29; Ezek. 19:4,9; 29:4; 38:4). ▣ "the fish of your rivers cling to your scales" This refers to politically allied, but weaker, nations. 29:5 NASB, NKJV "gathered" NRSV, NJB, Peshitta "buried" TEV, JPSOA "unburied" "picked up" "none to give you burial" The MT has "gathered" (BDB 867, KB 1062, Niphal IMPERFECT, which the UBS Text Project, p. 96, gives a "B" rating). "Buried" is found in some Hebrew manuscripts and the Aramaic Targums. Proper burial (i.e. mummification and preservation) was a major requirement for happiness in the afterlife in Egyptian theology. Egyptian leaders were enamored with this issue (i.e. The Egyptian Book of the Dead). The great pyramids served this function as secure burial places for the elite. The prophetic theme of animals and birds eating the fallen is common in Jeremiah (cf.Jer. 7:33; 9:22; 15:3; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20) and Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 29:5; 32:4; 33:27; 39:4,17-18). This seems to be a fulfillment of Deut. 28:26. Notice the things that YHWH will do to Egypt, symbolized as a sea monster. cast forth into the wilderness along with all her supporters (v. 4) will fall in an open field will not be gathered will not be buried Special Topic: Burial Practices 29:6 "Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the Lord" This was the purpose of the ten plagues (each against an Egyptian deity, the same is true of the creation account of Genesis 1's condemnation of Babylonian astral deities). All humans are made in God's image and likeness (i.e. Gen. 1:26-27)! All were created for fellowship with God (i.e. Gen. 3:8)! Tragically in the OT, often it is judgment (cf. Ezek. 29:9-10) that reveals YHWH! Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan ▣ "they have been only a staff made of reed" This is imagery for weakness and inability (cf. Isa. 36:6). Egypt was a weak security partner (cf. Isa. 30:1-3; 31:1-3; Jer. 37:7). 29:7 NASB, NKJV "you broke and made all their loins quake" "made all their legs unsteady" Peshitta, JPSOA "you would break, and make all their loins unsteady" NJB, REB "you broke, making all their limbs give way" "thou wast utterly broken, and didst crush the loins of them all" The MT has "you broke and you made to stand them all their loins." Most modern translations follow the Peshitta or Septuagint. The question is whether this phrase is sarcastic (God made them stand) or literal (God caused them to fall). The context is related to God's judgment on Egypt. Egypt promised help but was unable to provide it (i.e. 588 B.C., cf. Jer. 37:5-8).
Ezequiel 29:8-9
29:8 YHWH will bring death and destruction to all Egypt, human and animal. Animals were common Egyptian gods. Their devastation would symbolize YHWH's power, as did the plagues of the Exodus. 29:9 "Then they will know that I am the Lord" This is a recurrent phrase (cf. Ezek. 6:14; 7:27; 12:20; 15:8; 29:9; 32:15; 33:29; 35:3,9,14). YHWH wanted to be revealed through Israel's abundance, moral standards, and theology, but because of her unfaithfulness, He is revealed through judgment, judgment on her and other idolatrous nations (i.e. Egypt). Special Topic: Judge, Judgment, and Justice
Ezequiel 29:9-12
29:10 "from Migdol to Syene" The term "Migdol" (BDB 154) means "tower" or "fortress." In context this reference is to a location in the northeast delta region where Israelites were living (cf. Jer. 44:1; 46:14). Syene (BDB 692) refers to a southern city on the border of Cush/Ethiopia, known today as Aswan. This same phrase is repeated in Ezek. 30:6 and functions for Egypt as the phrase "from Dan to Bethel" did for Palestine. It denotes the far reaches of the land and the mentioning of them together became an idiom for the whole land. 29:12 "forty years" It denotes a long period of time, often a full generation. Special Topic: Symbolic Numbers in Scripture, #7 ▣ "scatter. . .dispense" These (BDB 806, KB 918, Hiphil PERFECT with waw; BDB 279, KB 280, Piel PERFECT with waw) are parallel and both refer to Judah's exile. When national armies were defeated their populace were regularly sold into slavery (cf. Jer. 49:32,36; 51:2). Egypt will be scattered (cf. Ezek. 29:12,13; 30:23,26).
Ezequiel 29:13-16
29:13-16 YHWH will restore Egypt to their land (cf. Deut. 32:8), but they will not be a powerful nation. 29:14 "Pathros" This (BDB 837) refers to upper (i.e. southern region) Egypt, from Cairo to Aswan (cf. Gen. 10:14; Jer. 44:1,15). ▣ "they will be a lowly kingdom" Verse 15 continues this theme. The question is, does this refer to the period of Neo-Babylonian dominance; see note at 29:17-20 (i.e. the battle of Carchemish, 605 B.C.) Persian dominance by Cambyses in 525 B.C. (see IVP Bible Background Commentary [OT], p. 716) Special Topic: KIngs of Egypt, D. 29:16 Israel will never again trust in Egypt for security (cf. Isa. 30:1-3; 31:1-3; 36:6 [note Ezek. 29:6]).
Ezequiel 29:17-20
29:17-20 YHWH allowed Nebuchadnezzar II to capture Egypt (cf. Ezek. 30:10; Jer. 43:10,11; 46:13,26) and take its spoils as payment for his army, since they received nothing for their hard work (cf. Ezek. 29:18) at Tyre (i.e. thirteen-year siege, cf. Josephus, Antiq. 10.9.7). It is possible that Pharaoh Hophra allied with Tyre and took away Tyre's treasures before Tyre surrendered to the army of Nebuchadnezzar II (cf. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 6, pp. 892-3). 29:18 This verse states that Nebuchadnezzar II did not take the island fortress (Greek historian Menander), but did capture and destroy the mainland city (cf. Ezek. 26:7-12). The problem is that Ezek. 26:14 implies that he did. Many commentators note that the PLURAL is used in Ezek. 26:7-17, but the SINGULAR in Ezek. 26:13-14, which implies that YHWH Himself will do it (note Ezek. 29:3-6) refers to Alexander the Great's destruction of the island fortress in 322 B.C. ▣ "every head was made bald" This was not a mourning rite, but imagery for heavy work (i.e. Nebuchadnezzar's siege and destruction of mainland Tyre). It is parallel to "every shoulder was rubbed bare." 29:20 As YHWH used Assyria to judge Israel (cf. Isa. 10:5), so now He uses Neo-Babylon to judge, not only Judah, but all the nations in the area. The figurative language used here sees it as a wage paid.
Ezequiel 29:21
29:21 "I shall make a horn sprout for the house of Israel" Animal horns were a symbol of power and strength. This refers to a national and Messianic restoration (cf. 1 Sam. 2:10; Ps. 132:17; Luke 1:69). Special Topic: Messianic Era ▣ "I shall open your mouth" YHWH is in control of national and Messianic restoration as He is His prophet. Ezekiel's message was controlled by YHWH (cf. Ezek. 3:27; 24:27; 33:22).