King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:25 in the King James Version says “But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 30:25 · KJV


Context

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.

25

But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.

26

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries—Exact repetition of verse 23, forming an inclusio (literary bookend) around verses 23-25. This repetition underscores the certainty and completeness of Egypt's judgment.

Hebrew poetry and prophecy use repetition for emphasis. Stating Egypt's scattering twice within three verses stresses its inevitability. The placement frames the contrast: Babylon strengthened (v. 24) is surrounded by Egypt's scattering (vv. 23, 25). The structure itself reinforces the message: Egypt's power will be broken and her people scattered—certain, complete, irreversible.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's population dispersal occurred in stages: Babylonian deportations (568/567 BC), Persian rule encouraging emigration, Greek Ptolemaic period saw Greeks settling Egypt and Egyptians spreading to Greek cities, Roman era saw further dispersion. By Islamic conquest (640 AD), Egypt's population was thoroughly mixed. Ancient Egyptian genetic and cultural continuity was disrupted—fulfilling the 'scattering among nations.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the literary and theological purpose of exact repetition in verse 25?
  2. How does the structure (scatter/strengthen/scatter) reinforce the message?
  3. What does certainty of prophetic judgment teach about God's character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהַחֲזַקְתִּ֗י1 of 22

But I will strengthen

H2388

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

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

וּזְרֹע֥וֹת3 of 22

and the arms

H2220

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

מֶֽלֶךְ4 of 22

of the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל5 of 22

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּזְרֹע֥וֹת6 of 22

and the arms

H2220

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

פַּרְעֹ֖ה7 of 22

of Pharaoh

H6547

paroh, a general title of egyptian kings

תִּפֹּ֑לְנָה8 of 22

shall fall down

H5307

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

וְֽיָדְע֞וּ9 of 22

and they shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי10 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י11 of 22
H589

i

יְהוָ֗ה12 of 22

that I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּתִתִּ֤י13 of 22

when I shall put

H5414

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

חַרְבִּי֙14 of 22

my sword

H2719

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

בְּיַ֣ד15 of 22

into the 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

מֶֽלֶךְ16 of 22

of the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל17 of 22

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וְנָטָ֥ה18 of 22

and he shall stretch it out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

אוֹתָ֖הּ19 of 22
H853

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

אֶל20 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֥רֶץ21 of 22

upon the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃22 of 22

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower 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 30:25 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 30:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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