Eze 30:23 | KingComments | STEP | In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel ( ). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength ( ). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all. The LORD will also break up what remained of his power ( ). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations ( ). In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon ( ). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man. Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless ( ). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands ( ). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

‏ Ezekiel 30:23

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Eze 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Eze 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Eze 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Eze 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Eze 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Eze 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Eze 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.