Bible Strands
Ezekiel 30:25
I will strengthen the arms of Babylon’s king, but Pharaoh’s arms will fall limp. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I place My sword in the hand of Babylon’s king, and he wields it against the land of Egypt.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel delivers this declaration from Yahweh concerning the imminent military campaign against Egypt. The message addresses the house of Israel and surrounding nations during a period of divine judgment.
The words — The Hebrew verb חֲזַקְתִּי (cha.zak.Ti) translates literally to "I will strengthen," paired with זְרֹעוֹת (ze.ro.'Ot), meaning "arms," to denote military power. The contrasting verb תִּפֹּלְנָה (ti.Po.le.nah) means "they will fall," describing the collapse of Pharaoh’s strength.
The thread — This pattern of God empowering one ruler to judge another while dismantling the other’s power runs through Ezekiel 29:16 and 29:21, where Egypt’s defeat becomes a permanent reminder to Israel. The underlying principle that divine justice reveals God’s identity aligns with Psalms 9:16.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that historical conquests execute divine sovereignty rather than mere human ambition. Readers must recognize that political shifts serve to reveal God’s lordship 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
But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.
Cross-references
- Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah
- Ezekiel 29:16 Egypt will never again be an object of trust for the house of Israel, but will remind them of their iniquity in turning to the Egyptians. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.”
- Ezekiel 29:21 In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth to speak among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
- Ezekiel 30:19 So I will execute judgment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the LORD.”
- Ezekiel 30:26 I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
- Ezekiel 32:15 ‘When I make the land of Egypt a desolation and empty it of all that filled it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD.’
- Ezekiel 38:16 You will advance against My people Israel like a cloud covering the land. It will happen in the latter days, O Gog, that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I show Myself holy in you before their eyes.
- Ezekiel 38:23 I will magnify and sanctify Myself, and I will reveal Myself in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.
- Ezekiel 39:21 I will display My glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the judgment that I execute and the hand that I lay upon them.