About Ezekiel

Ezekiel proclaimed God's judgment from Babylon, using dramatic visions and symbolic acts, while promising future restoration.

Author: EzekielWritten: c. 593-571 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
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King James Version

Ezekiel 29

21 verses with commentary

Prophecy Against Egypt

In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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KJV Study Commentary

The precise dating formula ('tenth year, tenth month, twelfth day') establishes prophetic credibility and historical specificity. This oracle came in January 587 BC, during Jerusalem's final siege. Egypt's political role made her a false refuge for Judah—trusting Egypt rather than God exemplified covenant unfaithfulness. This prophecy reveals that all false securities face divine judgment.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **In the tenth year, in the tenth month.**—This was exactly a year and two days after the investment of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 24:1-2; 2Kings 25:1), and about six months before its fall, or seven before its destruction (2Kings 25:3-8). It must have been, therefore, after the time when the siege was temporarily raised by the approach of the Egyptians under Pharaoh-Hophra (Jeremiah...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER (ELEGY) 3 La 3:1-66. Jeremiah proposes his own experience under afflictions, as an example as to how the Jews should behave under theirs, so as to have hope of a restoration; hence the change from singular to plural (La 3:22, 40-47). The stanzas consist of three lines, each of which begins with the same Hebrew letter. Aleph. **1-3. seen affliction--**his own in the dungeon of Mal...
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Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:

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KJV Study Commentary

God commands Ezekiel to 'set thy face against Pharaoh' and 'all Egypt,' demonstrating that judgment addresses both leaders and systems. Egypt represented worldly power, wisdom, and wealth—all alternatives to trusting God. Prophesying against Egypt confronted Judah's residual Egypt-dependence, revealing that God alone is reliable refuge.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4-6. (Job 16:8).

Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

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KJV Study Commentary

The 'great dragon' (Hebrew 'tannin'—sea monster/crocodile) represents Pharaoh. Egypt's Nile crocodiles symbolized Egyptian power. Pharaoh's claim 'My river is mine own, I have made it' epitomizes prideful self-sufficiency—attributing divine blessings to human achievement. This arrogance brings judgment, as God will not share glory with created beings (Isaiah 42:8).

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **The great dragon**.—This word is usually translated *dragon* in the English version, but sometimes *whale* (Ezekiel 32:2), and (in a slightly modified form) *serpent* (Exodus 7:9-10; Exodus 7:12). It unquestionably means *crocodile,* the characteristic animal of Egypt, in some parts hated and destroyed, in some worshipped as a deity, but in all alike feared, and regarded as the most powerful...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4-6. (Job 16:8).

But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

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KJV Study Commentary

God will put 'hooks in thy jaws' and bring Pharaoh up from his river with fish clinging to his scales. This vivid imagery depicts Egypt's capture and deportation along with her allies. The fish represent nations dependent on Egypt who would share her fate. God's sovereignty extends to controlling and judging the mightiest earthly powers.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Hooks in thy jaws.**—An allusion to the ancient way of taking and destroying the crocodile, otherwise invulnerable to their arms. **Fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales**.—As the crocodile, the lord of the Nile, represents the royal power of Egypt, so the fish represent the people dependent upon him. Pharaoh is not to fall alone, but shall drag his people with him into a common rui...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4-6. (Job 16:8).

And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven. open: Heb. face of the field

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KJV Study Commentary

Egypt would be left desolate, cast into the wilderness like a dead crocodile, unburied and exposed to scavengers. Denial of proper burial represented the ultimate indignity in ancient Near Eastern culture. This judgment reveals that pride brings humiliation—those who exalt themselves will be abased (Luke 14:11). God's judgments fit the crime symbolically.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **Open fields** is synonymous with “wilderness” in the previous clause. The crocodile and the fish together, drawn from the river, are to be thrown upon the sands of the neighbouring desert, to be devoured by the birds and beasts of prey: thus representing that Pharaoh and his people, uprooted from their power, are to be given over for a spoil to various nations.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-9. hedged--**(Job 3:23; Ho 2:6). **chain--**literally, "chain of brass."

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

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KJV Study Commentary

The metaphor shifts: Egypt was a 'staff of reed' (weak, unreliable support) to Israel. Reed staffs appear strong but collapse under weight, piercing the hand that leans on them. This perfectly describes Egypt's political unreliability—promising help but failing in crisis. The covenant formula 'they shall know that I am the LORD' shows even judgment serves revelatory purposes.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **A staff of reed.—**In Isaiah 36:6 the dependence of Judah upon Egypt is described as trust “in the staff of this broken reed;” but notwithstanding all warnings, they still trusted, especially at the time of this prophecy, and proved in their experience the truth of the Divine word. The figure is taken from the reeds, which grew abundantly on the banks of the Nile, and the statement is histor...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-9. hedged--**(Job 3:23; Ho 2:6). **chain--**literally, "chain of brass."

When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse elaborates the reed-staff metaphor: when Israel leaned on Egypt, it broke and tore their shoulder, making them unstable ('made all their loins to be at a stand'—paralyzed their strength). False dependencies don't just fail—they actively harm. Every reliance on creature-help rather than God compounds problems. Only God provides reliable support.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **All their loins to be at a stand.—**The expression is a difficult one, but the more probable sense is, *all their loins to shake.* The reed breaks under the weight of the man who leans upon it, and pierces his shoulder as he falls, while in his consternation his loins tremble.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7-9. hedged--**(Job 3:23; Ho 2:6). **chain--**literally, "chain of brass."

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee.

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KJV Study Commentary

Egypt would face 'sword' judgment—war, destruction, and population decimation. The parallel with Israel's judgment reveals God's impartiality: He judges all nations by the same righteous standards. Egypt's judgment actually less severe than Jerusalem's—they would remain a nation (verse 14), while Judah faced complete exile. This shows God's special discipline of His own people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

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KJV Study Commentary

Egypt's desolation stems from Pharaoh's prideful claim 'the river is mine, and I have made it.' Attributing God's provision to human achievement is the essence of idolatry—making self the ultimate source and authority. Such pride necessitates divine correction through humbling circumstances. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **Because he hath said.—**Again, as in Ezekiel 29:6, the division of the verses is very unfortunate. The expression “shall know that I am the Lord,” so common in Ezekiel, always closes a train of thought. The new sentence begins with the reason for the judgment upon Egypt—because of its pride.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia. utterly: Heb. wastes of waste from: or, from Migdol to Syene Syene: Heb. Seveneh

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KJV Study Commentary

God promises judgment 'from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia'—from Egypt's northern to southern extremity. The comprehensiveness of judgment reflects the totality of Egypt's pride. The phrase 'I am against thee' appears repeatedly in these oracles, revealing divine hostility toward systems and powers that oppose His purposes or mislead His people.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **From the tower of Syene.—**The word here translated “tower” is a proper name, Migdol, a town, mentioned in Exodus 14:2, near Suez. Syene has in the original the affix denoting *towards,* and the translation should therefore be, *from Migdol to Syene, even unto the border of Ethiopia;* in other words, “the whole length of the land.” Syene was a town on the extreme southern border of Egypt, r...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

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KJV Study Commentary

No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years predicts extreme desolation lasting forty years. The number forty appears frequently in Scripture as a period of testing, judgment, or transition (flood, wilderness wandering, Nineveh's warning, Christ's temptation). Neither human nor animal will traverse Egypt for this period—i...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Neither shall it be inhabited forty years.**—In Ezekiel 29:9-12 a state of desolation is predicted for Egypt, which, if understood in the literal sense of the words, has certainly never been fulfilled. In Ezekiel 29:9 it is said that it “shall be desolate and waste,” and this is repeated with emphasis in Ezekiel 29:10; while in Ezekiel 29:11 it is declared that neither foot of man nor foot ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

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KJV Study Commentary

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate compares Egypt's fate to other judged nations. And her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years reiterates the time period. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries predicts diaspora—population scattered in exile. This m...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **Scatter the Egyptians among the nations.—**Megasthenes and Berosus state that Nebuchadnezzar on his conquest of Egypt, sent great numbers of the people captive to Babylon; others doubtless, as in similar cases, took refuge in Ethiopia, Libya, and other neighbouring lands. The kind of desolation foretold for Egypt is the same as that for “desolate” cities and countries that fell under the po...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:

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KJV Study Commentary

Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered introduces hope. Unlike Israel's permanent exile of northern kingdom, Egypt will be restored after forty years. This demonstrates measured justice—judgment is severe but not eternal. God's justice is perfectly calibrated, not excessive. The promise of gathering after forty...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **At the end of forty years.—**See Note on Ezekiel 29:11.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

10-13. (Job 10:16; Ho 13:7, 8).

And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom. habitation: or, birth base: Heb. low

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KJV Study Commentary

And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros promises restoration. Into the land of their habitation specifies return to homeland. Pathros was Upper (southern) Egypt. And they shall be there a base kingdom declares Egypt's reduced status. Base (<em>shefelah</em>) means lowly, humble, insignificant. Egypt will exist but never again as a super...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) **The land of Pathros.—**Comp. Isaiah 11:11. Pathros is Upper Egypt, the Thebaid. In the following clause this is described as “the land of their birth” (*Marg.*)*.* According to ancient testimony and the opinion of many moderns, this was the original seat of Egyptian power. It may, however, be put only as the part for the whole—Pathros for Egypt. **Shall be there a base kingdom.—**Egypt shou...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. gravel--**referring to the grit that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (Pr 20:17). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.

It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.

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KJV Study Commentary

It shall be the basest of the kingdoms repeats and intensifies verse 14. Neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations promises permanent humility. Egypt's imperial ambitions are permanently ended. For I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations explains how—God will reduce Egypt's power so dominance is impossible. Divine reduction prevents future exaltation. Whe...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. gravel--**referring to the grit that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (Pr 20:17). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

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KJV Study Commentary

And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel promises Israel will stop trusting Egypt for military help. Which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them explains why Egypt must be humbled—to prevent Israel's recurring temptation to trust Egypt rather than God. Egypt's reduction serves Israel's sanctification. God judges pagan nations partly to remove ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(16) **The confidence of the house of Israel.—**Here the result of this judgment in God’s providence concerning His people is brought out: they had hitherto continually transgressed by looking to Egypt for aid; now this temptation should be entirely removed. This trust of Israel in Egypt had continually brought “their iniquity to remembrance when they looked” to them for help, both by its being ag...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16-18. gravel--**referring to the grit that often mixes with bread baked in ashes, as is the custom of baking in the East (Pr 20:17). We fare as hardly as those who eat such bread. The same allusion is in "Covered me with ashes," namely, as bread.

And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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KJV Study Commentary

But they shall know that I am the Lord GOD concludes with the recognition formula. Through Egypt's humbling, Israel learns that Yahweh alone deserves trust. The entire Egyptian judgment serves pedagogical purposes for Israel—teaching through example not to trust human power. God's judgments on other nations often serve to instruct His people. We should learn from others' judgments rather than repe...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(17) **In the seven and twentieth year.—**This is the latest date among all Ezekiel’s prophecies, and is more than sixteen years after the prophecy of the former part of the chapter. This date corresponds with the thirty-fifth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (see 2Kings 25:2; 2Kings 25:8), and, from Ezekiel 29:18, was evidently uttered after the close of the siege of Tyre. As that siege lasted thir...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19-21. This gives the reason why he gave way to the temptation to despair. The Margin, "Remember" does not suit the sense so well. **wormwood ... gall--**(Jr 9:15).

Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus</strong>—This verse is dated to 571 BC, sixteen years after the initial Tyre oracle (26:1). נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (Nĕbûkadreʾṣar, Nebuchadnezzar) besieged island Tyre for thirteen years (585-573 BC). הֶעֱבִיד אֶת־חֵילוֹ עֲבֹדָה גְדֹלָה (heʿĕbîd ʾet-ḥêlô ăbōdāh ghĕdōlāh, 'caused his army to serve gr...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **Yet had he no wages.—**The siege of Tyre is here represented as a service to God, for which Nebuchadnezzar had not yet received his reward. This is quite in accordance with the whole Scriptural representation of that monarch, as a man raised up to execute God’s judgments. He was himself unconscious of this, and yet did that which had been foretold—a striking instance that “there is a God in...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19-21. This gives the reason why he gave way to the temptation to despair. The Margin, "Remember" does not suit the sense so well. **wormwood ... gall--**(Jr 9:15).

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. take her spoil: Heb. spoil her spoil, and prey her prey

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon</strong>—As compensation for Tyre, God promises Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar. הִנְנִי נֹתֵן לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (hinnĕnî nōthēn linĕbûkadreʾṣar, 'behold, I am giving to Nebuchadnezzar') shows God's sovereign distribution of nations.<br><br><strong>And he shall take her multitude, and take...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(19) **I will give.**—In the original this is in the form of a participle; literally, *I am giving.* This form is often used of the future, but with especial appropriateness of the immediate future. The other tenses, according to the Hebrew usage, take the temporal meaning of the principal verb. This seems probably to have been spoken at the very time of Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign and conquest. On ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

19-21. This gives the reason why he gave way to the temptation to despair. The Margin, "Remember" does not suit the sense so well. **wormwood ... gall--**(Jr 9:15).

I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD. for his: or, for his hire

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it</strong>—The verb נָתַתִּי (nātattî, 'I have given') is prophetic perfect: future event spoken as accomplished fact because God's decree is certain. פְּעֻלָּתוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָבַד בָּהּ (pĕʿullātô ăsher ʿābad bāh, 'his labor which he served in it') refers to the Tyre siege.<br><br><strong>Because they wrought for me...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

22-24. (Mal 3:6).

In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth</strong>—After Egypt's judgment, Israel's restoration begins. קֶרֶן (qeren, 'horn') symbolizes strength/power (Psalm 132:17, Luke 1:69). אַצְמִיחַ (ʾaṣmîaḥ, 'cause to sprout/grow') pictures renewal after cutting down.<br><br>Some interpret this as Messianic prophecy—the 'horn of David' sprouting again. Others see referen...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(21) **In that day.**—The tenses here change to the future, indicating that if the conquest of Egypt had already taken place, its consequences to Israel were to be only gradually developed. These consequences were primarily the conviction of the futility of trust in any earthly aid, and hence a turning to their neglected God, and**,** as a result of this, the giving up of their long cherished idol...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

22-24. (Mal 3:6).

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