Bible Commentaries
Ezekiel 30

Verse 1

Third prophecy Ezekiel 30:1-19 against Egypt, probably to be connected with the previous verses (compare Ezekiel 30:10 with the Ezekiel 29:17-21 note). Some consider it to belong to the earlier part of Ezekiel 29:0 (compare Ezekiel 29:10, Ezekiel 29:12 with Ezekiel 30:5-6).

Verse 3

The time of the pagan - The time when the pagan (Egyptians) shall be judged.

Verse 5

Libya, and Lydia - Or, as in Ezekiel 27:10, Phut and Lud.

The mingled people - Foreigners, who settled in Egypt. The Saite dynasty of Egyptian kings were especially favorable to foreign immigrants. Hophra employed many of them in his armies, and in this way, according to Herodotus, lost the affections of his Egyptian subjects. See Jeremiah 25:20 note.

Chub - The word occurs here only. It was some tribe in alliance with Egypt, either of African race like Lud and Phut, or settlers like the “mingled people.” A not-improbable suggestion connects it with Coptos, of which the Egyptian form was Qeb, Qebt or Qabt.

The men of the land that is in league - Rather, the children of the land of the covenant, i. e., of Israel (see Ezekiel 16:8). After the destruction of Jerusalem Jews withdrew into Egypt Jeremiah 43:7. Many of them would naturally enough be found in the Egyptian armies. This is in favor of the later date assigned to this section.

Verse 6

See the marginal reference note.

Verse 9

Careless Ethiopians - The Ethiopians, who were dwelling in fancied security Zephaniah 2:15, shall tremble at Egypt’s ruin.

Verse 13

Noph - Memphis Isaiah 19:13.

Verse 14

Zoan - Tanis, a city and nome of Lower Egypt Numbers 13:22. See the marginal reference note.

No - Diospolis. See the marginal reference note.

Verse 17

Aven - The same as “On” Genesis 41:45, or “Heliopolis.” The word “Aven” means also “transgression” (compare Hosea 10:8). Some have thought that here too Ezekiel substituted the word “Aven” for “On” to mark the “sin” of idolatry there in full vogue.

Pi-beseth - The Bubastis of Herodotus. The hieroglyphic name is “Pe-bast,” the house of Bast (the Egyptian Artemis, the cat-headed goddess). Bubastis was situated on the easternmost, the Pelusian, branch of the Delta. The road from Pelusium to Memphis lay through Bubastis and On. In the days of Herodotus Bubastis was the seat of one of the chief annual festivals of the Egyptians. The Persians took the town and razed the walls. The ruins bear the modern name Tel-Basta.

Verse 18

Tehaphnehes - See the marginal reference note. “break the yokes of Egypt” i. e., break the yokes imposed by Egypt, or break up the tyrannous dominion of Egypt over other lands.

Verses 20-26

Fourth prophecy against Egypt spoken three months before the capture of Jerusalem Ezekiel 26:1, and three months after the prophecy of Ezekiel 29:1. Meantime, Pharaoh-Hophra’s attempt on Jerusalem had been foiled, and the Egyptians driven back into their own country (Jeremiah 37:5 note).

Ezekiel 30:21

I have broken - Especially by the defeat at Carchemish.

A roller - Or, a bandage.

Ezekiel 30:22

The strong - Such power as Egypt yet retained at home and abroad.

That which was broken - The power which Egypt aimed at ineffectually, the conquest of Palestine and Syria.