King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 29:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 29:3 in the King James Version says “Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth i... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 29:3 · KJV


Context

1

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

2

Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:

3

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.

4

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.

5

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


Commentary

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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's prosperity depended on Nile flooding, which Egyptians attributed to their gods (particularly Hapi, the Nile god). Pharaoh claimed divine status. This prophecy exposed their theological error—all blessing comes from Yahweh, not pagan deities or human effort.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas might you be claiming credit for blessings God has provided?
  2. How does recognizing God as the source of all good gifts affect your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
דַּבֵּ֨ר1 of 22

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אָמַ֛ר2 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּֽה3 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

אָמַ֛ר4 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י5 of 22

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֗ה6 of 22

GOD

H3069

god

הִנְנִ֤י7 of 22
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙8 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פַּרְעֹ֣ה9 of 22

Behold I am against thee Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ10 of 22

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם11 of 22

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הַתַּנִּים֙12 of 22

dragon

H8577

a marine or land monster, i.e., sea-serpent or jackal

הַגָּד֔וֹל13 of 22

the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הָרֹבֵ֖ץ14 of 22

that lieth

H7257

to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

בְּת֣וֹךְ15 of 22

in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

יְאֹרִ֖י16 of 22

My river

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 22
H834

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

אָמַ֛ר18 of 22

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִ֥י19 of 22
H0
יְאֹרִ֖י20 of 22

My river

H2975

a channel, e.g., a fosse, canal, shaft; specifically the nile, as the one river of egypt, including its collateral trenches; also the tigris, as the m

וַאֲנִ֥י21 of 22
H589

i

עֲשִׂיתִֽנִי׃22 of 22

is mine own and I have made

H6213

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


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 29:3 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 29:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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