King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 30:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 30:6 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. from: or, from Migdol to Syene”

Ezekiel 30:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. pain: or, fear

5

Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword. Libya: Heb. Phut men: Heb. children

6

Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. from: or, from Migdol to Syene

7

And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted.

8

And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. destroyed: Heb. broken

Read Ezekiel 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares that Egypt's 'supporters shall fall' and 'her pride of power shall come down.' Pride in military might, economic strength, and political influence would all collapse. The geographical extent 'from Migdol to Syene' (north to south) shows comprehensive judgment. Egypt's fall demonstrates that all earthly power is contingent, while God's sovereignty is absolute.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt's ancient glory, military prowess, monumental architecture, and international prestige made her a symbol of human achievement. Her reduction to a minor kingdom fulfilled these prophecies and revealed the temporary nature of all earthly empires.

Reflection Questions

  1. What forms of 'pride of power' might you be trusting in apart from God's strength?
  2. How does Egypt's fall encourage you to place confidence in eternal rather than temporal things?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כֹּ֚ה1 of 17
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 17

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה3 of 17

“GOD”

H3069

god

יִפְּלוּ4 of 17

“shall fall”

H5307

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

סֹמְכֵ֣י5 of 17

“They also that uphold”

H5564

to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)

מִצְרַ֔יִם6 of 17

“Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וְיָרַ֖ד7 of 17

“shall come down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

גְּא֣וֹן8 of 17

“and the pride”

H1347

the same as h1346

עֻזָּ֑הּ9 of 17

“of her power”

H5797

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

מִמִּגְדֹּ֣ל10 of 17

“from the tower”

H4024

migdol, a place in egypt

סְוֵנֵ֗ה11 of 17

“of Syene”

H5482

seven, a place in upper egypt

בַּחֶ֙רֶב֙12 of 17

“in it by the sword”

H2719

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

יִפְּלוּ13 of 17

“shall fall”

H5307

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

בָ֔הּ14 of 17
H0
נְאֻ֖ם15 of 17

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֥י16 of 17

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִֽה׃17 of 17

“the LORD”

H3068

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

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 30:6 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 30:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 29:10Isaiah 20:3-6Nahum 3:9Job 9:13Isaiah 31:3

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
Migdol 3Settlement · Modern: Tell el Herr · 30.96°N, 32.49°E2 verses across 1 book
SyeneSettlement · Modern: Aswan · 24.09°N, 32.90°E3 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezekiel 30 →

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