King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 29:19 Mean?

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he sha... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 29:19 · King James Version

Context

17

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,

18

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:

19

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

20

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

21

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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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt unto Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon—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.

And he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey—Three verbs emphasize total plunder: נָשָׂא הֲמוֹנָהּ (nāsāʾ hămônāh, 'carry away her wealth'), שָׁלַל שְׁלָלָהּ (shālal shĕlālāh, 'plunder her plunder'), and בָּזַז בִּזָּהּ (bāzaz bizzāh, 'seize her spoil'). And it shall be the wages for his army—שָׂכָר לְחֵילוֹ (śākār lĕḥêlô, 'wages for his army'). God compensates Babylon's service against Tyre with Egyptian plunder. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty: He directs pagan kings, compensates their labor, and accomplishes His purposes through unwitting agents (Isaiah 10:5-7, 45:1-7).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568/567 BC (confirmed by Babylonian chronicles), about five years after this prophecy. While he didn't conquer all Egypt permanently, he did campaign successfully, plunder cities, and install a vassal king—exactly as prophesied. Egyptian power never fully recovered, fulfilling Ezekiel's prediction that Egypt would become 'the basest of kingdoms' (29:14-15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's compensation of pagan Babylon demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations?
  2. What does this teach about God's justice in rewarding even unwitting service?
  3. How should we understand God using 'wages' language with pagan kings?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לָכֵ֗ן
1 of 22
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּ֤ה
2 of 22
H3541
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַר֙
3 of 22

“Therefore thus saith”

H559
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲדֹנָ֣י
4 of 22

“the Lord”

H136
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֔ה
5 of 22

“GOD”

H3069
god
הִנְנִ֥י
6 of 22
H2005
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
נֹתֵ֛ן
7 of 22

“Behold I will give”

H5414
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר
8 of 22

“unto Nebuchadrezzar”

H5019
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
מֶֽלֶךְ
9 of 22

“king”

H4428
a king
בָּבֶ֖ל
10 of 22

“of Babylon”

H894
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
אֶת
11 of 22
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶ֣רֶץ
12 of 22

“the land”

H776
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִצְרָ֑יִם
13 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וְנָשָׂ֨א
14 of 22

“and he shall take”

H5375
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
הֲמֹנָ֜הּ
15 of 22

“her multitude”

H1995
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
וְשָׁלַ֤ל
16 of 22

“and take”

H7997
to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder
שְׁלָלָהּ֙
17 of 22

“her spoil”

H7998
booty
וּבָזַ֣ז
18 of 22

“and take”

H962
to plunder
בִּזָּ֔הּ
19 of 22

“her prey”

H957
plunder
וְהָיְתָ֥ה
20 of 22
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׂכָ֖ר
21 of 22

“and it shall be the wages”

H7939
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
לְחֵילֽוֹ׃
22 of 22

“for his army”

H2428
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 29:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 29:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 30:24-25Jeremiah 43:10-13Ezekiel 30:10-12Ezekiel 32:11Ezekiel 30:4Ezekiel 29:8-10

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 29 →

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