Bible Strands
Ezekiel 30:4
A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Ezekiel delivers this oracle against Egypt during the period of Babylonian expansion, announcing imminent divine judgment on the nation and its allies. The message targets exiled Israel and surrounding nations, framing the event as part of the approaching Day of the LORD.
The words — The Hebrew חֶרֶב (cherev) denotes a literal sword representing military invasion, while חַלְחָלָה (chalchalah) describes visceral anguish or trembling. These terms directly describe the physical destruction of Egypt and the psychological terror spreading to Cush.
The thread — This judgment motif echoes Ezekiel 29:8 and 29:19, where the Lord promises to bring a sword against Egypt and hand it to Nebuchadnezzar. The theme of foreign nations experiencing dread parallels Exodus 15:14, where anguish grips Philistia upon hearing of God's power.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that political powers and their resources are subject to sudden, divinely orchestrated collapse. Readers must acknowledge that national security and wealth offer no protection against the coming Day of the LORD.
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
And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 29:19 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army.
- Ezekiel 29:8 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will bring a sword against you and cut off from you man and beast.
- Exodus 15:14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the dwellers of Philistia.
- Psalms 48:6 Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.
- Isaiah 16:7 Therefore let Moab wail; let them wail together for Moab. Moan for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth, you who are utterly stricken.
- Isaiah 19:2 “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
- Isaiah 19:16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them.
- Jeremiah 50:15 Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.
- Jeremiah 50:35 A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men.
- Ezekiel 29:12 I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and her cities will lie desolate for forty years among the ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.