Bible Strands
Ezekiel 29:15
Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the nations. For I will diminish Egypt so that it will never again rule over the nations.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks through Ezekiel to declare the permanent political status of Egypt after its temporary restoration to Pathros. The prophecy addresses the nation’s irreversible loss of regional dominance.
The words — שְׁפָלָ֔ה (she.fa.Lah) = lowly and תִתְנַשֵּׂ֥א (tit.na.Se') = it will exalt itself establish the verse’s central contrast between forced humility and former ambition. מִן\־ (min-) = more than and עַל\־ ('al-) = over define the comparative boundary of this diminished status.
The thread — The theme of Egypt’s stripped power runs through Ezekiel 30:13, which records the destruction of Memphis idols, and Zechariah 10:11, which describes the drying of the Nile’s depths. Ezekiel 17:6 also employs the lowly vine imagery to illustrate constrained national strength.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that geopolitical power is subject to divine decree, not human achievement. It instructs readers to abandon reliance on former political alliances and acknowledge God’s sovereign control over nations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 30:13 This is what the Lord GOD says: I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. There will no longer be a prince in Egypt, and I will instill fear in that land.
- Zechariah 10:11 They will pass through the sea of distress and strike the waves of the sea; all the depths of the Nile will dry up. The pride of Assyria will be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt will depart.
- Ezekiel 17:6 It sprouted and became a spreading vine, low in height, with branches turned toward him; yet its roots remained where it stood. So it became a vine and yielded branches and sent out shoots.
- Ezekiel 17:14 so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant.
- Ezekiel 31:2 “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness?
- Ezekiel 32:2 “Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’
- Nahum 3:8 Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water?
- Daniel 11:42 He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.