King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:14 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:14 in the King James Version says “And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No. Zoan: or, Tanis — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No. Zoan: or, Tanis

Ezekiel 30:14 · KJV


Context

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.

14

And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No. Zoan: or, Tanis

15

And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. Sin: or, Pelusium

16

And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No—Three Egyptian regions: פַּתְרוֹס (Patrôs, Upper Egypt/southern region), צֹעַן (Ṣōʿan, Zoan/Tanis in the Delta), and נֹא (Nōʾ, No/Thebes, the great southern capital). God's judgment spans all Egypt, north to south.

נָתַתִּי אֵשׁ (nātattî ʾēsh, 'set fire') indicates complete destruction. Thebes (No-Amon) was Egypt's religious heart, home to the Karnak temple complex. Its destruction demonstrated YHWH's superiority over Amun-Ra, Egypt's chief deity. Nahum 3:8-10 describes Thebes' earlier fall to Assyria (663 BC) as a warning to Nineveh; here, its destruction by Babylon continues Egypt's humiliation. No Egyptian region would escape God's judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological and historical records confirm widespread destruction in Egypt during Babylon's invasion. Thebes, though previously sacked by Assyria (663 BC), suffered further in this period and never regained preeminence. Zoan (biblical Rameses) declined. The comprehensive geographical scope of Ezekiel's oracle—from southern Pathros to northern Zoan—matched the comprehensive nature of Babylon's campaign.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does judgment spanning all Egyptian regions teach about the thoroughness of God's decrees?
  2. How does Thebes' fate demonstrate God's superiority over Egypt's chief gods?
  3. Why does God name specific cities rather than just saying 'Egypt' generally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִי֙1 of 9

desolate

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

אֶת2 of 9
H853

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

פַּתְר֔וֹס3 of 9

And I will make Pathros

H6624

pathros, a part of egypt

וְנָתַ֥תִּי4 of 9

and will set

H5414

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

אֵ֖שׁ5 of 9

fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בְּצֹ֑עַן6 of 9

in Zoan

H6814

tson, a place in egypt

וְעָשִׂ֥יתִי7 of 9

and will execute

H6213

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

שְׁפָטִ֖ים8 of 9

judgments

H8201

a sentence, i.e., infliction

בְּנֹֽא׃9 of 9

in No

H4996

no (i.e., thebes), the capital of upper egypt


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 30:14 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 30:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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