King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:18 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:18 in the King James Version says “At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened , when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strengt...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened , when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. darkened: or, restrained”

Ezekiel 30:18 · King James Version

Strength

Context

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.

17

The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity. Aven: or, Heliopolis Pibeseth: or, Pubastum

18

At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened , when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. darkened: or, restrained

19

Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

20

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Read Ezekiel 30 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened—תַּחְפַּנְחֵס (Taḥpanḥēs, Tahpanhes/Daphne), a city in the eastern Delta where Jewish refugees fled after Jerusalem's fall (Jeremiah 43:7-9). חָשַׂךְ הַיּוֹם (ḥāsak hayyôm, 'the day shall be dark/restrained')—imagery of judgment (Amos 5:18-20, Joel 2:31).

When I shall break there the yokes of Egypt—God will שָׁבַר (shābar, 'break/shatter') מֹטּוֹת מִצְרַיִם (mōṭôt miṣrayim, 'the yoke-bars of Egypt'). Egypt enslaved others; now her own power-yoke is broken. And the pomp of her strength shall cease in her—גְּאוֹן עֻזָּהּ (gĕʾôn ʿuzzāh, 'pride of her strength') will cease. Egypt's arrogant power, displayed in Pharaoh's boast 'The Nile is mine' (29:3), ends. As for her, a cloud shall cover her—עָנָן (ʿānān, 'cloud'), often symbolizing God's presence in judgment or glory. Here, gloom and doom. And her daughters shall go into captivity—Total population loss.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Tahpanhes had special significance: Jewish refugees fled there after Jeremiah warned against it (Jeremiah 43:7-9). Jeremiah prophesied Nebuchadnezzar would conquer Egypt even there (Jeremiah 43:10-13). Ezekiel's oracle, given to exiles in Babylon, confirmed Jeremiah's to refugees in Egypt. Both prophecies proved accurate: Babylon invaded Egypt, Tahpanhes fell, and Egypt's 'yoke' (imperial power) was broken forever.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is significant about God breaking 'the yokes of Egypt' after Egypt enslaved Israel?
  2. How does judgment at Tahpanhes (where Jewish refugees fled) demonstrate inescapability?
  3. What does the 'darkened day' metaphor teach about the experience of divine judgment?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּבִֽתְחַפְנְחֵס֙1 of 18

“At Tehaphnehes”

H8471

tachpanches, techaphneches or tachpenes, a place in egypt

חָשַׂ֣ךְ2 of 18

“shall be darkened”

H2821

to be dark (as withholding light); transitively, to darken

הַיּ֔וֹם3 of 18

“also the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּשִׁבְרִי4 of 18

“when I shall break”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

שָׁם֙5 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת6 of 18
H853

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

מֹט֣וֹת7 of 18

“there the yokes”

H4133

a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)

מִצְרַ֔יִם8 of 18

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְנִשְׁבַּת9 of 18

“shall cease”

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

בָּ֖הּ10 of 18
H0
גְּא֣וֹן11 of 18

“and the pomp”

H1347

the same as h1346

עֻזָּ֑הּ12 of 18

“of her strength”

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

הִ֚יא13 of 18

“in her”

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

עָנָ֣ן14 of 18

“as for her a cloud”

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

יְכַסֶּ֔נָּה15 of 18

“shall cover”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

וּבְנוֹתֶ֖יהָ16 of 18

“her and her daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בַּשְּׁבִ֥י17 of 18

“into captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

תֵלַֽכְנָה׃18 of 18
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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 30:18 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 30:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 30:3Ezekiel 29:15Isaiah 10:27Jeremiah 2:16Isaiah 14:25Isaiah 9:4

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
TahpanhesSettlement · Modern: Tell Defenneh · 30.86°N, 32.17°E7 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezekiel 30 →

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