Daily Tanach – Chapter 29: Judgment on Egypt and the Reward to Babylon
- Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt (Verses 1–7)
In the tenth year, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, G‑d commands Yechezkel to prophesy against Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Pharaoh is compared to a great crocodile lying in the Nile, arrogantly claiming, “My river is mine, and I made it.”
G‑d declares He will put hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws and drag him and the fish clinging to him out of the river, leaving them scattered in the desert as food for beasts and birds. Egypt will learn that they are not divine but powerless.
Egypt is condemned for being an unreliable “reed staff” to the house of Israel—breaking and injuring those who depended on them.
- Desolation of Egypt for Forty Years (Verses 8–12)
Because of Pharaoh’s arrogance, G‑d will bring a sword against Egypt, making the land desolate from Migdol to Syene, up to the Ethiopian border. For forty years, the land will be uninhabited—no human or beast will pass through it. The Egyptians will be scattered among the nations during this period.
- Egypt’s Future Restoration as a Lowly Kingdom (Verses 13–16)
After forty years, G‑d will gather the Egyptians from exile and return them to Pathros, their original homeland. However, Egypt will thereafter be a lowly, insignificant kingdom, never again ruling over nations. Israel will no longer rely on Egypt, whose unfaithfulness previously caused Israel to sin. Through this, all will know that G‑d is the Lord.
- Nebuchadnezzar’s Reward for His Campaign Against Tyre (Verses 17–20)
In the twenty‑seventh year, G‑d gives Yechezkel another prophecy:
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had besieged Tyre with great effort, yet received no plunder from that campaign. Therefore, G‑d grants him the land of Egypt as his reward. He and his army will seize Egypt’s wealth, taking its people and goods as spoil for the labor they expended against Tyre. This is described as compensation “because they acted for Me,” says G‑d.
- Israel’s Future Strength and Yechezkel’s Renewed Speech (Verse 21)
On the day Egypt falls, G‑d will cause “the horn of the house of Israel” to sprout—symbolizing renewed strength and future restoration. Yechezkel’s mouth will be opened among the people, meaning his prophecies will be confirmed and his credibility fully established. Through these events, Israel will know that G‑d is the Lord.
Key Themes
- Arrogance invites divine judgment—Pharaoh claimed divine power but was shown to be mortal.
- Dependence on unreliable nations leads to downfall—Egypt proved a false ally to Israel.
- G‑d directs world powers—even Nebuchadnezzar’s campaigns serve divine purpose.
- Judgment and mercy coexist—Egypt is punished but later restored as a diminished kingdom.
- Israel’s ultimate redemption is assured.
