King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:21 in the King James Version says “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed , to put a ro... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed , to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.

Ezekiel 30:21 · KJV


Context

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,

21

Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed , to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.

22

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.

23

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt—הִנְנִי אֶל־פַּרְעֹה (hinnĕnî ʾel-parʿōh, 'behold, I am against Pharaoh'), the lawsuit formula. And will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken—God will break both זְרֹעֹתָיו (zĕrōʿōtāyw, 'his arms'—plural): הַחֲזָקָה (haḥăzāqāh, 'the strong one') and הַנִּשְׁבָּרֶת (hannishbāret, 'the already broken one').

This intensifies the judgment: Egypt's one remaining 'good arm' will also be broken. And I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand—Total disarmament; inability to fight. The imagery is devastating: a warrior whose first arm is broken, then his second arm is broken, and finally his sword falls from his useless hands. Complete military impotence. Egypt, which prided itself on military strength, would be utterly defenseless before Babylon.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After retreating from Babylon in 588 BC ('broken arm'), Egypt attempted no further major military campaigns against Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzar finally invaded Egypt directly (568/567 BC), resistance was minimal. Egypt's 'both arms broken' left her unable to wield the sword. Her era as a military power ended, fulfilling Ezekiel's vivid imagery exactly.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does breaking 'both arms' (total disarmament) teach about comprehensive judgment?
  2. How does the progressive imagery (one arm, both arms, sword falls) intensify the message?
  3. What modern 'arms' (sources of strength) might God break to humble prideful nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
בֶּן1 of 19

Son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֕ם2 of 19

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אֶת3 of 19
H853

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

זְר֛וֹעַ4 of 19

the arm

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

פַּרְעֹ֥ה5 of 19

of Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ6 of 19

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֖יִם7 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שָׁבָ֑רְתִּי8 of 19

I have broken

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְהִנֵּ֣ה9 of 19
H2009

lo!

לֹֽא10 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ11 of 19

and lo it shall not be bound up

H2280

to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule

לָתֵ֨ת12 of 19
H5414

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

רְפֻא֜וֹת13 of 19

to be healed

H7499

a medicament

לָשׂ֥וּם14 of 19

to put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

חִתּ֛וּל15 of 19

a roller

H2848

swathed, i.e., a bandage

לְחָבְשָׁ֥הּ16 of 19

and lo it shall not be bound up

H2280

to wrap firmly (especially a turban, compress, or saddle); figuratively, to stop, to rule

לְחָזְקָ֖הּ17 of 19

it to make it strong

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

לִתְפֹּ֥שׂ18 of 19

to hold

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃19 of 19

the sword

H2719

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


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 30:21 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 30:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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