King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:22 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:22 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 30:22 · KJV

Context

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.

24

And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.

Read Ezekiel 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon—While Egypt's arms are broken, Babylon's are strengthened (חִזַּקְתִּי, ḥizzaqtî, 'I will make strong') God's זְרֹעוֹת (zĕrōʿôt, 'arms'). And will put my sword in his hand—God arms Babylon with חַרְבִּי (ḥarbî, 'my sword'). Though Babylon is pagan, the sword she wields belongs to YHWH—it executes His judgment.

But I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man—נְאָקוֹת חָלָל (nĕʾāqôt ḥālāl, 'the groaning of one mortally wounded'). This graphic imagery depicts Pharaoh as a dying soldier groaning in agony. The contrast is absolute: Babylon strengthened, Egypt broken; Babylon armed, Egypt disarmed; Babylon victorious, Egypt dying. God sovereignly distributes power among nations according to His purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nebuchadnezzar's strength was indeed YHWH's doing. Babylon conquered: Assyria (612 BC), Egypt (605 BC at Carchemish), Judah (586 BC), Tyre (573 BC), Egypt again (568/567 BC). Then, when God's purposes were accomplished, Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC). God raises and lowers nations—Babylon's dominance demonstrated His sovereignty, not Marduk's power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can God righteously give 'His sword' to a pagan nation?
  2. What does the contrast (strengthening Babylon, breaking Egypt) teach about God's sovereignty?
  3. How should we understand God using ungodly nations as judgment instruments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּה2 of 21
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 21

“Therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 21

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֹ֗ה5 of 21

“GOD”

H3069

god

הִנְנִי֙6 of 21
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֶל7 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פַּרְעֹ֣ה8 of 21

“Behold I am against Pharaoh”

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

מֶֽלֶךְ9 of 21

“king”

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֔יִם10 of 21

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת11 of 21

“and that which was broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

אֶת12 of 21
H853

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

זְרֹ֣עֹתָ֔יו13 of 21

“his arms”

H2220

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

אֶת14 of 21
H853

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

הַחֲזָקָ֖ה15 of 21

“the strong”

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וְאֶת16 of 21
H853

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

הַנִּשְׁבָּ֑רֶת17 of 21

“and that which was broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥י18 of 21

“to fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

אֶת19 of 21
H853

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

הַחֶ֖רֶב20 of 21

“and I will cause the sword”

H2719

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

מִיָּדֽוֹ׃21 of 21

“out of his hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 30:22 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 30:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 37:17Ezekiel 29:32 Kings 24:7Jeremiah 37:7Jeremiah 46:21-25Ezekiel 34:16

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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