“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it become strong to hold the sword. Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong arm, and that which was broken. I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before the king of Babylon with the groaning of a mortally wounded man. I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
Show the surrounding paragraph
Ezekiel 30:21-26 sits inside this longer paragraph.
In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it become strong to hold the sword. Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong arm, and that which was broken. I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before the king of Babylon with the groaning of a mortally wounded man. I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
Parallel Translations
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“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it become strong to hold the sword.
Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong arm, and that which was broken. I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before the king of Babylon with the groaning of a mortally wounded man.
I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt.
I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
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Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
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.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Show all 3 translations
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'Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it hath not been bound up to be healed, to put a roller, that it be bound up and wax strong, that it hold the sword.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put My sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.
And I will hold up 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.
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.'
Cross-references (52)
- Jeremiah 30:13 (v21) There is no one to plead your cause, that you may be bound up. You have no healing medicines.
- Jeremiah 46:11 (v21) Go up into Gilead, and take balm, virgin daughter of Egypt. You use many medicines in vain. There is no healing for you.
- Psalms 37:17 (vv21–22) For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
- Jeremiah 48:25 (v21) The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken,” says Yahweh.
- Psalms 10:15 (v21) Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
Show all 49 cross-references
- Ezekiel 30:24 (v21) I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan…
- Ezekiel 30:25 (v24) I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon; and the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I put my…
- Daniel 11:42 (v26) He will also stretch out his hand on the countries. The land of Egypt won’t escape.
- Zephaniah 2:12 (v24) You Cushites also, you will be killed by my sword.
- Ezekiel 30:17-18 (vv23, 26) The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth will fall by the sword. They will go into captivity. At Tehaphnehes also the day will withdraw…
- Ezekiel 30:26 (vv23, 25) I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”
- 2 Kings 24:7 (v22) The king of Egypt didn’t come out of his land any more; for the king of Babylon had taken, from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates,…
- Nehemiah 6:9 (v24) For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my…
- Isaiah 45:1 (v24) Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open…
- Isaiah 45:5 (v24) I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me,
- Jeremiah 37:7 (v22) “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘You shall tell the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me: “Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which…
- Ezekiel 29:3 (v22) Speak and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lies in the middle of his…
- Ezekiel 29:12 (v26) I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid…
- Deuteronomy 32:41-42 (v24) if I sharpen my glittering sword, my hand grasps it in judgment; I will take vengeance on my adversaries, and will repay those who hate me.…
- Job 24:12 (v24) From out of the populous city, men groan. The soul of the wounded cries out, yet God doesn’t regard the folly.
- Psalms 9:16 (v25) Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands.
- Psalms 17:13 (v24) Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
- Psalms 18:32 (v24) the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
- Psalms 18:39 (v24) For you have armed me with strength to the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
- Psalms 144:1 (v24) Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle:
- Isaiah 1:6 (v21) From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it: wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, bandaged,…
- Isaiah 10:5-6 (v24) Alas Assyrian, the rod of my anger, the staff in whose hand is my indignation! I will send him against a profane nation, and against the…
- Isaiah 10:15 (v24) Should an ax brag against him who chops with it? Should a saw exalt itself above him who saws with it? As if a rod should lift those who…
- Jeremiah 27:6-8 (v24) Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant. I have also given the animals of the…
- Jeremiah 46:1-12 (v22) Yahweh’s word which came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations. Of Egypt: concerning the army of Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt,…
- Jeremiah 46:21-25 (v22) Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall; for they also are turned back. They have fled away together. They…
- Jeremiah 51:8-9 (v21) Babylon has suddenly fallen and been destroyed! Wail for her! Take balm for her pain. Perhaps she may be healed. “We would have healed…
- Jeremiah 51:52 (v24) “Therefore behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will execute judgment on her engraved images; and through all her land the wounded…
- Ezekiel 6:13 (v26) You will know that I am Yahweh, when their slain men are among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the tops of the…
- Ezekiel 26:15 (v24) “The Lord Yahweh says to Tyre: ‘Won’t the islands shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan, when the slaughter is made…
- Ezekiel 29:12-13 (v23) I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid…
- Ezekiel 29:16 (v25) It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will…
- Ezekiel 29:21 (v25) “In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am…
- Ezekiel 30:10 (v24) “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
- Ezekiel 30:19 (v25) Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.” ’ ”
- Ezekiel 30:23 (v26) I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
- Ezekiel 32:15 (v25) “When I make the land of Egypt desolate and waste, a land destitute of that of which it was full, when I strike all those who dwell…
- Ezekiel 34:16 (v22) “I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will…
- Ezekiel 38:16 (v25) You will come up against my people Israel, as a cloud to cover the land. It will happen in the latter days, that I will bring you against…
- Ezekiel 38:23 (v25) I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am…
- Ezekiel 39:21-22 (v25) “I will set my glory among the nations. Then all the nations will see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on…
- Nahum 3:16 (v21) You have increased your merchants more than the stars of the skies. The grasshopper strips, and flees away.
- Zechariah 10:11-12 (v24) He will pass through the sea of affliction, and will strike the waves in the sea, and all the depths of the Nile will dry up; and the pride…
- Revelation 18:21 (v21) A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city,…
49 distinct cross-references across this passage (52 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 25 For Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish, Jer. 46:26.
For Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish, Jer. 46:26.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv21–26 Eze 30:21 Son of man, I have broken the…
Eze 30:21 Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
Ver. 21. I have broken the arm.] Ita ut nulla arte vel ope; so that by no means or medicines it can be made whole again. Losses received in war can hardly be repaired.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 23, 25, 26 I have often told thee I would break, now…
I have often told thee I would break, now I tell thee
I have broken, partly by the victory of the Chaldean over Pharaoh-necho, partly by the victory the Cyreneaus got over Pharaoh-hophra to raise the siege, from which attempt he fell with shame and loss, but more by civil wars.
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Pharaoh; Hophra or Apries.
It shall not be bound up to be healed; and this wound is incurable,
it shall never be bound up to be healed, his arm shall never be strong and fit to encounter a potent enemy, as once it was.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv21–26 Son of man, I have broken the arm of…
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt,.... Not Pharaohnecho, king of Egypt, whose army was overthrown at Carchemish by the king of Babylon, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim; when the latter took from the former all that belonged to him between the river of Egypt and the river Euphrates; by which he was so weakened and dispirited, that he could not stir any more out of his own land, Jer 46:2 and of him Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; but Pharaohhophra, or Apries, who was defeated by the Cyreneans, and saved himself by flight; See Gill on Eze 29:4,
and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it; a metaphor taken from chirurgeons, who, having set broken bones, put on a bandage or rollers of linen, or such like stuff, to keep them tight; but nothing of this kind should be done; hereby suggesting that Egypt should receive such a blow or wound as would be incurable; see Jer 46:11,
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to make it strong to hold the sword; which it should not be able to do, or to make war any more, at least with success, or to defend itself.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 25 Have broken - Partly by the victory of the…
Have broken - Partly by the victory of the Chaldeans over Pharaoh-necho, partly by the victory of the Cyreneans over Pharaoh-hophra. The sword - None can heal the wounds that God gives but himself. They whom he disables, cannot again hold the sword.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 26 Verse 21. I have broken the arm of Pharaoh]…
Verse 21. I have broken the arm of Pharaoh] Perhaps this may refer to his defeat by Nebuchadnezzar, when he was coming with the Egyptian army to succour Jerusalem.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v21
CHAPTER XXX.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv21–22 broken . . . arm of Pharaoh-- (Psa 37:17;…
broken . . . arm of Pharaoh-- (Psa 37:17; Jer 48:25). Referring to the defeat which Pharaoh-hophra sustained from the Chaldeans, when trying to raise the siege of Jerusalem (Jer 37:5, Jer 37:7); and previous to the deprivation of Pharaoh-necho of all his conquests from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates (Kg2 24:7; Jer 46:2); also to the Egyptian disaster in Cyrene.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv21, 24 21. I have broken the arm of Pharaoh —…
21. I have broken the arm of Pharaoh — The loss by Hophra of his dependencies, because of the failure of his attempt to resist the Chaldeans (Jer_34:21; Jer_37:5) is compared to a fractured arm. (See Eze_31:17.) This loss of power will never be regained. He will not even have time to apply healing medicines and to put a splint (roller) upon it before Jehovah, in the person of Nebuchadnezzar, shall be upon him to break the other arm also (Eze_30:22).
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv21, 23, 24, 26 21. broken the arm] While the Chaldeans were besieging…
21. broken the arm] While the Chaldeans were besieging Jerusalem the army of Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) advanced and compelled them to raise the siege, Jer_37:5; cf. Jer_34:21. The Egyptians were repulsed and the siege renewed. It is possible that breaking the arm of Pharaoh refers to this circumstance. At all events the distinction between the two arms, and the threat that both the sound and the fractured one shall be altogether broken, suggest that an actual past occurrence is referred to in the figure of Eze_30:21.
a roller to bind it] i.e. a bandage. For the word cf. Eze_16:4, Job_38:9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv21–23 (21) I have broken.—This is in the perfect tense,…
(21) I have broken.—This is in the perfect tense, and refers to the breaking of the power of Egypt by the former conquests of Assyria, and perhaps especially to the great battle of Carchemish (about twenty years before), in which Egypt received a blow from which she never recovered. The word “roller” would be better understood now if translated bandage.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv21, 22, 25 I have broken the arm. The metaphor was in…
I have broken the arm. The metaphor was in itself one of the most familiar. (Eze_17:9 Eze_22:6; 1Sa_2:31; Jer_48:25) What is characteristic in Ezekiel is the way in which he follows the figure, so to speak, into its surgical details. A man with a broken arm might be cured and fight again; but it was not to be so with Pharaoh. His arm was not to be bound with a roller (the equivalent of the modern process of putting it in "splints"). The Hebrew word for "roller" is not found elsewhere, and Ezekiel"s use of it is one of the instances of his knowledge of surgery. The corresponding verb is used by him of the bandages or swaddling-clothes of infancy. (Eze_16:4)
Vers. 21, 22, 24. The broken and the strengthened arm.
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have broken the arm of Pharaoh King of Egypt;" "I will strengthen the arms of the King of Babylon." These words suggest to us three things.
I GOD"S ACTION ON ALL THE NATIONS. God was in an especial sense "the God of Israel," but certainly not in an exclusive sense. He was, as he is, the God of all the nations. He was observing, directing, overruling everywhere. If Egypt fell, it was because he "broke the arm of Pharaoh;" if Babylon triumphed, it was because he made it strong in the day of battle. Statesmen and warriors were supposing that all events were the outcome of their policy and of their strategy; but, in fact, there was a power behind them and all their schemes, laying low or raising up, bringing into humiliation or causing to succeed. And there has been no age of the world, as there has been no part of the earth, in which the Divine hand has not been engaged either in breaking or in building.
II THE BROKEN ARM OF INIQUITY. We may truly say that God is continually occupied in "breaking the arm" of wrong and sin. He does so in one of two ways.
1. Either by his direct active interposition; so touching the chain of events at one of its links, as to bring about disaster; intervening at some point by the introduction of some factor which makes all the difference in the end.
2. Or by the steadfast action of his wise and holy laws those laws which compel all wrong-doing to others and all violation of what is due to ourself to lead down to weakness, to misery, to death. Iniquity often seems very strong; it is sustained by stone fortresses, by armies and navies, by high rank, by great wealth, by numbers, by deep-rooted customs, by venerable institutions. Nevertheless, it is on its way to overthrow and ruin. For God has designed to "break its arm." He may do so by unexpected means; he may take longer time than we wish he would take in the process; but he will accomplish it. He will bring Divine justice, Divine wisdom, Divine penalty, to bear upon and against it, and its power will be broken. It is a vain thing to be on the side of prevailing wrong; for if we are, God is against us, and, sooner or later, we shall "be confounded.
III THE STRENGTHENED ARM OF RECTITUDE. It may be that God will "strengthen the arm of Babylon," of some "power" or of some man who has no claim on the ground of righteousness, doing this for the accomplishment of some wise and holy purpose. But there is no promise to unrighteousness. Those who regard not the works nor the Word of the Lord need not expect that he will "build them up". (see Psa_28:5) It is those who fear him, who seek to do his will and to follow in the footsteps of his Son, it is they who may hope to have "their arm strengthened," their work crowned with success, their hopes fulfilled. Not, indeed, that all good men will receive from God all that they would like to have; for we cannot "choose our own inheritance" with any deep wisdom, and it is well for us that many things on which we set our heart should be, as they are, denied us of God. But, making all needful exceptions, the soul that earnestly seeks God"s face and strives to live his life will find that his Divine Lord will "strengthen his arm" by;
1. Directing his course in ways of competence and peace.
2. "Strengthening him with strength in his soul," and thus fitting him for all duty, trial, and temptation.
3. Making him the source of blessing to those whom he seeks to serve in the fields of sacred usefulness. C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv22, 25 General Information:
General Information:
God continues speaking of Pharaoh's army as if it were a broken arm. He also speaks of strengthening the army of Babylon as if it were the arms of the king of Babylon. (See: Parables)
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the Lord Yahweh says this
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:11.
both the strong one and the broken one
"both the arm that is healthy and the arm that is already broken"
I will make the sword fall from his hand
"I will knock the sword out of Pharaoh's hand"
scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them among the lands
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. See how you translated similar phrases in Ezekiel 12:15. (See: Parallelism)
among the lands
"among the places in which people live"
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon
"I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong"
He will groan before the king of Babylon
"When the king of Babylon comes to attack Egypt, Pharaoh will groan."
groan
A groan is a noise that people make when they have a lot of pain or are dying.
with the groans of a dying man
"as a man who is dying groans" or "like a man who is dying"
translationWords
Lord Yahweh
hand
nation
disperse
Babylon
die
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv21, 24 30:21-23 broken the arm of Pharaoh: The Lord had…
30:21-23 broken the arm of Pharaoh: The Lord had already shattered the Egyptians’ strength in the defeat of Pharaoh Hophra by Nebuchadnezzar (see Jer 37:5-11). Had Hophra succeeded in his mission, the pressure on Jerusalem would have been relieved, at least temporarily; now all hope of help from Egypt was gone. There was no prospect that the broken arm would heal or even be temporarily bound up so that Pharaoh could protect Jerusalem. Egypt would be totally helpless, unable even to hold a sword as it awaited the final death thrust.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.