ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 29

Ezek. 29:1–32:32 The seventh and last of the nations addressed, Egypt (like Tyre) receives seven oracles. If the chief interest in Tyre was economic, the leading issue for Egypt is military power.

Ezek. 29:1–16 The two main charges against Egypt come out clearly in the first three oracles. Verses 1–6a portray Egypt’s pride in putting itself in God’s place. Verses 6b–9a condemn Egypt for its part in the destruction of Judah. The third section returns to the charge of pride and subjects Egypt more fully to God’s judgment. The date of these prophecies noted in v. 1 is January 587 b.c., just after Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem, and after Hophra came to power in Egypt.

Ezek. 29:3 The phrase Behold, I am against you also appears in 28:22. There it is addressed to Sidon. The figure of the dragon has both natural and supernatural elements. At one level, it is a symbolic name for the Nile crocodile (also 32:2). At another level it represents a cosmic creature opposed to the rule of God and defeated by him (e.g., Isa. 27:1; 51:9). The claim to be the maker of the Nile amounts to claiming to be God (compare Tyre; Ezek. 28:2).

Ezek. 29:6b–9a The second accusation against Egypt is given in the because . . . therefore form seen often in Ezekiel. A river-related metaphor appears again. This time, however, Egypt is the staff of reed (that is, a useless staff made from a flimsy reed) that fails to give support.

Ezek. 29:9b–16 A brief because section (v. 9b) repeats the accusation against Egypt from v. 3. A much longer and literal judgment speech (vv. 10–16) follows. The judgment has elements (vv. 10–12) that match those pronounced against Israel and Judah. That Egypt should also be restored (vv. 13–16) is more surprising, but not unparalleled (see Jer. 46:26; compare Jer. 48:47; 49:6; 39). Restored Egypt will, however, be cured of its pride (Ezek. 29:14–15).

Ezek. 29:10–11 The desolation of Egypt, which lasts forty years, reminds Egypt that God rules their future (see v. 9b). This “forty years” is probably a symbolic number that parallels Israel’s wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Ezek. 29:17–21 This is the latest-dated oracle in the book, coming in April 571 b.c. Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Tyre had ended with Tyre still in existence but subject to the Babylonians (see 26:1–28:19).

Ezek. 29:19 I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. This prophecy was given in 571 b.c. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt in 568 (Jeremiah 43–44).

Ezek. 29:21 The final promise appears to be for Ezekiel himself. The phrase open your lips confirms that, after all those years, Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry was to be proven correct.