King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:11 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:11 in the King James Version says “He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.”

Ezekiel 30:11 · KJV

Context

9

In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.

10

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon.

11

He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain.

12

And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it. dry: Heb. drought all: Heb. the fulness thereof

13

Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.

Read Ezekiel 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land—Nebuchadnezzar and his army, described as עָרִיצֵי גוֹיִם (ʿārîṣê gôyim, 'the ruthless/violent ones of nations'), would devastate Egypt. The term עָרִיץ (ʿārîṣ) describes brutal, terrifying military power without mercy.

And they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain—וְהֵרִיקוּ חַרְבוֹתָם עַל־מִצְרַיִם (wĕhērîqû ḥarbôtām ʿal-miṣrayim, 'and they shall empty their swords upon Egypt'). The verb רוּק (rûq, 'to empty') suggests complete, unreserved violence. Egypt, who trusted in military might and enslaved Israel for 400 years, would experience God's sword through Babylon's ruthless warriors. This ironic reversal—Egypt judged by foreign invaders—mirrors Israel's earlier deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's invasion of Egypt (568/567 BC) under Nebuchadnezzar is documented in Babylonian chronicles and classical sources. Egypt's power was broken; she never again dominated the ancient Near East. Archaeological evidence shows destruction layers from this period in Egyptian cities. God's use of 'terrible nations' to judge Egypt fulfilled His long-promised reckoning for oppressing Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of 'terrible nations' demonstrate His sovereignty over international affairs?
  2. What irony exists in Egypt being conquered after centuries of conquering others?
  3. How should we understand God using brutal means to accomplish just ends?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
ה֠וּא1 of 16
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְעַמּ֤וֹ2 of 16

“He and his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אִתּוֹ֙3 of 16
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עָרִיצֵ֣י4 of 16

“with him the terrible”

H6184

fearful, i.e., powerful or tyrannical

גוֹיִ֔ם5 of 16

“of the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

מֽוּבָאִ֖ים6 of 16

“shall be brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְשַׁחֵ֣ת7 of 16

“to destroy”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

הָאָ֖רֶץ8 of 16

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְהֵרִ֤יקוּ9 of 16

“and they shall draw”

H7324

to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty

חַרְבוֹתָם֙10 of 16

“their swords”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

עַל11 of 16
H5921

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

מִצְרַ֔יִם12 of 16

“against Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וּמָלְא֥וּ13 of 16

“and fill”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת14 of 16
H853

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ15 of 16

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חָלָֽל׃16 of 16

“with the slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

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 30:11 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 30:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 28:7Isaiah 14:4-6Ezekiel 32:12Ezekiel 39:4Ezekiel 35:8Ezekiel 31:12

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 30 →

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