King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 29:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 29:20 in the King James Version says “I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezekiel 29:20 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Ezekiel 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it—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.

Because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD—The stunning declaration: עָשׂוּ לִי (ʿāsû lî, 'they worked for me'). Nebuchadnezzar didn't know he served YHWH (he worshiped Marduk/Bel), but God sovereignly directed his campaigns to accomplish divine purposes: judging proud Tyre and Egypt, disciplining Israel, and demonstrating that YHWH alone controls history. This echoes Cyrus being called God's 'shepherd' and 'anointed' without knowing YHWH (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-4). God works His will through all rulers, willing or unwitting (Proverbs 21:1).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This principle—pagan rulers serving God's purposes unknowingly—appears throughout Scripture: Pharaoh in Exodus, Assyria (Isaiah 10), Cyrus (Isaiah 45), Rome crucifying Jesus (Acts 2:23). God's sovereignty doesn't negate human responsibility but demonstrates His comprehensive control of history. Nebuchadnezzar's campaigns against Tyre and Egypt fulfilled divine purposes though motivated by imperial ambition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God righteously claim pagan rulers 'worked for me' without their knowledge?
  2. What does this teach about God's sovereignty over world history?
  3. How should Christians view secular governments in light of God's absolute control?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
פְּעֻלָּתוֹ֙1 of 15

“for his labour”

H6468

(abstractly) work

אֲשֶׁר2 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָ֣בַד3 of 15

“wherewith he served”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

בָּ֔הּ4 of 15
H0
נָתַ֥תִּי5 of 15

“I have given”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֖וֹ6 of 15
H0
אֶת7 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ8 of 15

“him the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם9 of 15

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֲשֶׁר֙10 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָ֣שׂוּ11 of 15

“against it because they wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לִ֔י12 of 15
H0
נְאֻ֖ם13 of 15

“for me saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י14 of 15

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֽה׃15 of 15

“GOD”

H3069

god

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 29:20 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 29:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 10:6-7Jeremiah 25:9Isaiah 45:1-32 Kings 10:30

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Ezekiel 29 →

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