Ezekiel 25-32
Expanded Bible
Prophecy Against Ammon
25 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the people of Ammon and prophesy against them. 3 Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord God. This is what the Lord God says: You ·were glad [L said, “Aha!”] when my ·Temple [sanctuary] was ·dishonored [defiled; profaned; C ritually], when the land of Israel was ·ruined [made desolate], and when the ·people [L house] of Judah ·were taken away as captives [went into exile]. 4 So [L Look; T Behold] I am going to give you to the people of the East ·to be theirs [L as a possession]. They will set up their camps among you and make their ·homes [dwelling places] among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will make the city of Rabbah a pasture for camels and the land of Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 6 For this is what the Lord God says: You have clapped your hands and stamped your feet; you have ·laughed about all the insults you made [L rejoiced with the scorn/malice of your soul] against the land of Israel. 7 So I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against you. I will give you to the nations as ·if you were treasures taken in war [plunder]. I will cut you off from the ·nations [peoples] and wipe you out of the ·countries [lands], and I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’
Prophecy Against Moab and Edom
8 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Moab and ·Edom [L Seir] say, “[L Look; T Behold] The ·people [L house] of Judah are like all the other nations.” 9 So I am going to ·take away the cities that protect Moab’s borders [open up Moab’s flank, starting with its frontier towns], the ·best cities in [L glory of] that land: Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 Then I will give Moab, along with the Ammonites, to the people of the East as their possession. Then, along with the Ammonites, Moab will not be a nation anymore. 11 So I will ·punish [execute judgments upon] the people of Moab, and they will know that I am the Lord.’
Prophecy Against Edom
12 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘Edom took ·revenge [vengeance] on the ·people [L house] of Judah, and the Edomites became guilty because of it. 13 So this is what the Lord God says: I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against Edom, killing every human and animal in it. And I will ·destroy [lay waste; make desolate] Edom all the way from Teman [C district in central Edom] to Dedan [C territory in southern Edom] as they ·die in battle [L fall by the sword]. 14 I will use my people Israel to take revenge on Edom. ·So the Israelites will do to Edom what my hot anger demands [L …according to my anger and according to my wrath]. Then the Edomites will know what my ·revenge [vengeance] feels like, says the Lord God.’
Prophecy Against Philistia
15 “This is what the Lord God says: ‘The Philistines have taken revenge with ·hateful hearts [malice in their souls]. Because of their ·strong [or ancient; or never-ending] hatred, they have tried to destroy Judah. 16 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I will ·use my power [L stretch out my hand] against the Philistines. I will ·kill [cut off] the Kerethites, and I will destroy those people still alive on the ·coast of the Mediterranean Sea [seacoast]. 17 I will do great acts of ·revenge [vengeance] to them and punish them in my anger. They will know that I am the Lord when I take ·revenge [vengeance] on them.’”
Prophecy Against Tyre
26 It was the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2); 586 bc], on the first day of the month. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], the city of Tyre has spoken against Jerusalem: ‘The ·city that traded with [L gate of] the nations is ·destroyed [broken]. ·Now we can be the trading center [L Its doors have swung open to me]. Since ·the city of Jerusalem [L it] is ruined, ·we can make money [L I will be filled].’ 3 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Tyre. I will bring many nations against you, like the sea ·beating its waves on your island shores [L brings up its waves]. 4 They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers. I will also scrape away her ·ruins [rubble; soil] and make her a bare rock. 5 Tyre will be ·an island [L in the midst of the sea] where fishermen dry their nets. I have spoken, says the Lord God. ·The nations will steal treasures from Tyre [L She will become plunder for the nations]. 6 Also, her ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore [mainland] across from the island will be ·destroyed by war [L slaughtered by the sword]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Nebuchadnezzar to Attack Tyre
7 “This is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I will bring a king from the north against Tyre. He is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, ·the greatest king [L king of kings], with his horses, chariots, horsemen, and a great army. 8 He will destroy your ·villages [settlements; L daughters] on the ·shore across from the island [mainland]. He will set up ·devices to attack you [siege works]. He will build a ·road of earth to the top of the walls [siege ramp]. He will raise his shields against you. 9 He will ·bring logs to pound through [direct blows of battering rams against] your city walls, and he will break down your towers with his ·iron bars [or hammers; L swords]. 10 His horses will be so many that they will cover you with their dust. Your walls will shake at the noise of horsemen, wagons, and chariots. The king of Babylon will enter your city gates as men enter a city where the walls are broken through. 11 The hoofs of his horses will ·run over [trample] your streets. He will kill your ·army [or people] with the sword, and your strong pillars will fall down to the ground. 12 Also, his men will ·take away [plunder] your riches and will ·steal [loot] ·the things you sell [your merchandise]. They will break down your walls and destroy your ·nice [pleasant; luxurious] houses. They will throw your stones, ·wood [timber; trees], and ·trash [rubble; or soil] into the sea. 13 So I will stop your songs; the music of your ·harps [lyres] will not be heard anymore. 14 I will make you a bare rock, and you will be a place for ·drying [spreading] fishing nets. You will not be built again, because I, the Lord, have spoken, says the Lord God.
15 “This is what the Lord God says to Tyre: ·The people who live along the seacoast will [L Won’t the coastlands…?] ·shake with fear [tremble] ·when they hear about your defeat [or at the sound of your fall]. ·The injured will [L …when the wounded] groan as the ·killing [slaughter] takes place in you. 16 Then all the ·leaders [princes] of the ·seacoast [L sea] will get down from their thrones, take off their ·beautiful needlework [embroidered] clothes, and ·show how afraid they are [L clothe themselves with trembling]. They will sit on the ground and tremble ·all the time [continuously], ·shocked [appalled; aghast] when they see you. 17 They will begin singing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] about you and will say to you:
‘Famous city [C Tyre was a great maritime power], you have been destroyed!
You have lost your sea power!
You and your ·people [inhabitants]
had great power on the seas.
You made everyone around you
afraid of you.
18 Now the ·people who live by the coast [coastlands will] tremble,
·now that [L on the day] you have fallen.
The ·islands [or coastlands] of the sea
are ·afraid [terrified; dismayed] ·because you have been defeated [at your demise/passing].’
19 “This is what the Lord God says: I will make you ·an empty city [desolate; a ruin], like cities that ·have no people living in them [are uninhabited/deserted]. I will bring the ·deep ocean waters [L deep] over you, and the ·Mediterranean Sea [L great waters] will cover you. 20 At that time I will send you down to the ·place of the dead [pit] to ·join those who died long ago [the people of old/antiquity]. I will make you live with the dead ·below the earth [in the underworld] ·in places that are like old ruins [among ancient ruins]. You will not ·come back from there [or be inhabited] or have any place in the ·world [land] of the living again. 21 ·Other people will be afraid of what happened to you [or I will bring you to a terrible end], and it will be the end of you. People will look for you, but they will never find you again, says the Lord God.”
A Funeral Song for Tyre
27 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the city of Tyre. 3 Speak to Tyre, which ·has ports for the Mediterranean Sea [L sits at the gateway to the Sea] and is a ·place for trade [merchant] for the people of many coastlands. ‘This is what the Lord God says:
Tyre, you have said,
“I am ·like a beautiful ship [L perfect in beauty].”
4 ·You were at home on [L Your borders were in the heart of] the high seas.
Your builders made your beauty perfect.
5 They made all your boards
of fir trees from ·Mount Hermon [L Senir].
They took a cedar tree from Lebanon
to make a ship’s mast for you.
6 They made your oars
from oak trees from Bashan.
They made your deck
from cypress trees from the coast of ·Cyprus [L Kittim]
·and set ivory into it [inlaid with ivory].
7 Your sail of ·linen with designs sewed on it [embroidered linen] came from Egypt
and ·became like a flag for you [served as your banner].
Your ·cloth shades over the deck [awnings] were blue and purple
and came from the ·island [coastlands] of ·Cyprus [L Elisha; C a city on the east side of Cyprus and an older name for the island].
8 ·Men [Residents; or Leaders] from Sidon [C a major city twenty-five miles north of Tyre] and Arvad [C a city on the Phoenician coast, north of Sidon] used oars to row you.
Tyre, your skilled men were ·the sailors [or captains; pilots] on your deck.
9 ·Workers [or Veteran craftsmen; L Elders] of Byblos were with you,
putting caulk in your ship’s seams.
All the ships of the sea and their sailors
came alongside to trade with you.
10 “‘Men of Persia, ·Lydia [L Lud; C a city in Asia Minor], and ·Put [C present-day Libya, in North Africa]
were warriors in your ·navy [army]
and hung their shields and helmets on your sides.
They ·made you look beautiful [gave you splendor].
11 Men of Arvad [v. 8] and ·Cilicia [L Helech; C southeast Asia Minor]
guarded your city walls all around.
Men of Gammad [C an unknown location, perhaps northern Asia Minor]
were in your watchtowers
and hung their shields around your walls.
They made your beauty perfect.
12 “‘People of Tarshish [C probably in southern Spain; Jonah 1:3] became traders for you because of your great wealth. They ·traded [exchanged] your goods for silver, iron, tin, and lead.
13 “‘People of ·Greece [L Javan], Tubal, and Meshech [C both in Asia Minor; 32:26] became merchants for you. They traded your goods for slaves and items of bronze.
14 “‘People of Beth Togarmah [C eastern Asia Minor; present-day Armenia] traded your goods for ·work [or chariot] horses, war horses [C either chariot of cavalry horses], and mules.
15 “‘·People of [L Sons of] Rhodes[a] [C an island off southwest coast of Asia Minor] became merchants for you, selling your goods on many coastlands. They brought back ivory tusks and ·valuable black wood [ebony] as your payment.
16 “‘People of Aram[b] [C Syria] ·became traders for [did business with] you, because you had so many good things to sell. They traded your goods for turquoise, purple cloth, ·cloth with designs sewed on [embroidered work], fine linen, coral, and rubies.
17 “‘People of Judah and Israel became merchants for you. They traded your goods for wheat from Minnith [C a town in Ammon, east of the Jordan River], and for ·meal [millet], honey, olive oil, and balm.
20 “‘People of Dedan [C a territory in southern Edom] became merchants for you, trading saddle blankets for riding.
21 “‘People of Arabia and all the ·rulers [princes] of Kedar became traders for you. They received lambs, ·male sheep [rams], and goats in payment for you.
22 “‘The merchants of Sheba [C the southwestern Arabian peninsula, present-day Yemen] and Raamah [C a city in southern Arabia] became merchants for you. They traded your goods for all the best spices, ·valuable gems [precious stones], and gold.
23 “‘People of Haran [C a city in present-day eastern Turkey], Canneh [C unknown location], Eden [C in Mesopotamia near Haran], and the traders of Sheba [v. 22], Asshur [C a city south of Nineveh], and Kilmad [C an unknown location] became merchants for you. 24 They were paid with the best clothes, blue cloth, ·cloth with designs sewed on [embroidered work], carpets of many colors, ·and tightly wound ropes [or rolled up and tied with cords; or made of tightly knotted cords].
25 “‘·Trading ships [or The ships of Tarshish]
carried ·the things you sold [your merchandise].
You were like a ship full of heavy cargo
in the ·middle [L heart] of the sea.
26 The men who rowed you
brought you out into the high seas,
but the east wind broke you to pieces
in the ·middle [L heart] of the sea.
27 Your wealth, your ·trade [products], your goods,
your seamen, your ·sailors [or captains], your ·workers [or caulkers],
your traders, your ·warriors [soldiers],
and everyone else on board
sank into the ·sea [L heart of the sea]
on the day ·your ship was wrecked [L of your fall].
28 The ·people on the shore shake with fear [L countryside shakes; or waves surge]
when your ·sailors [or captains] cry out.
29 All the men who row
·leave [disembark from; or abandon] their ships;
the seamen and the ·sailors [or captains] of other ships
stand on the shore.
30 They cry loudly about you;
they cry ·very much [bitterly].
They throw dust on their heads
and roll in ashes.
31 They shave their heads for you,
and they put on ·rough cloth [burlap; sackcloth; C signs of sorrow and distress].
They ·cry and sob for you [weep over you with bitter souls];
they ·cry loudly [mourn bitterly].
32 And in their ·loud crying [wailing]
they sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for you:
“·No one was ever destroyed [L Who was…?] like Tyre,
·surrounded by [or like a tower in the middle of; or now silent in the midst of] the sea.”
33 When the goods you traded went out over the seas,
you ·met the needs of [satisfied] many nations.
With your great wealth and ·goods [merchandise],
you made kings of the earth rich.
34 But now you are ·broken [shipwrecked; shattered] by the sea
·and have sunk to the bottom [L in the depths of the waters].
Your ·goods [merchandise] and all the people on board
have gone down with you.
35 All those who live along the ·shore [coastland]
are ·shocked [appalled; aghast] by what happened to you.
Their kings are ·terribly afraid [horrified],
and their faces ·show their fear [are troubled/contorted].
36 The traders among the nations hiss at you.
You have ·come to a terrible end [or become a horror],
and you are gone forever.’”
Prophecy Against the King of Tyre
28 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], say to the ruler of Tyre: ‘This is what the Lord God says:
Because ·you are [L your heart is] proud,
you say, “I am a god.
I sit on the ·throne [seat] of a god
in the ·middle [L heart] of the seas.”
You think you are as wise as a god,
but you are a ·human [mortal; man], not a god.
3 [L Look; T Behold] You ·think you are [L are] wiser than Daniel [14:14].
·You think you can find out all secrets [L No secret is hidden from you].
4 Through your wisdom and understanding
you have made yourself rich.
You have ·gained [gathered] gold and silver
·and have saved it in [L in] your ·storerooms [treasuries].
5 Through your great skill in trading,
you have made your riches grow.
·You are too [L Your heart is] proud
because of your riches.
6 “‘So this is what the Lord God says:
[L Because] You think you are wise
like a god,
7 ·but [L therefore, look/behold] I will bring foreign people against you,
the ·cruelest [most ruthless] nations.
They will draw their swords
·and destroy all that your wisdom has built [L against your beauty and wisdom],
and they will ·dishonor [defile] your ·greatness [splendor].
8 They will ·kill you [L bring you down to the pit];
you will die a ·terrible [violent] death
·like those who are killed at sea [or in the heart of the sea].
9 ·While they are killing you [L In the presence of those killing you],
·you will not [L will you…?] be able to say anymore, “I am a god.”
You will be only a human, not a god,
·when your murderers kill you [L in the hands of those who kill you].
10 You will die ·like an unclean person [L the death of the uncircumcised];
·foreigners will kill you [L …in the hands of strangers/foreigners].
I have spoken, says the Lord God.’”
11 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 12 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] for the king of Tyre. Say to him: ‘This is what the Lord God says:
You were ·an example [the seal/signet] of what was perfect,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.
13 You ·had a wonderful life,
as if you were in Eden [L were in Eden], the garden of God [C like Adam; Gen. 1—2].
Every valuable gem ·was on [covered] you:
·ruby [or carnelian], ·topaz [or chysolite], and ·emerald [or diamond],
·yellow quartz [or chrysolite], onyx, and jasper,
·sapphire [or lapis lazuli], turquoise, and ·chrysolite [or beryl; or emerald].
Your ·jewelry [settings and mounts] was made of gold.
It was prepared on the day you were created.
14 I appointed a ·living creature [L cherub] to guard you.
I put you on the holy mountain of God.
You walked among the ·gems that shined like fire [fiery stones].
15 ·Your life was right and good [L You were blameless in your ways]
from the day you were created,
until ·evil [wickedness; unrighteousness] was found in you.
16 Because you traded with countries ·far away [or in abundance],
you ·learned to be cruel [L were filled with violence], and you sinned.
So I ·threw you down [banished you] in ·disgrace [or defilement] from the mountain of God.
And the ·living creature [L cherub] who guarded you
·forced you out [expelled you] from among the ·gems that shined like fire [fiery stones].
17 ·You became too [L Your heart was] proud
because of your beauty.
You ·ruined [corrupted] your wisdom
because of your ·greatness [splendor].
I threw you down to the ground.
·Your example taught a lesson to [or I made a spectacle of you before] other kings.
18 You ·dishonored [desecrated; profaned; C ritually] your ·places of worship [sanctuaries]
through your many sins and dishonest trade.
So I ·set on fire the place where you lived [L sent fire out from your midst],
and the fire ·burned you up [consumed you].
I turned you into ashes on the ground
·for all those watching to see [L before the eyes of all who saw you].
19 All the nations who knew you
are ·shocked [appalled; aghast] about you.
Your punishment was so terrible,
and you are gone forever.’”
Prophecy Against Sidon
20 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 21 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her. 22 Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says:
I am against you, Sidon,
and I will show my glory ·among [or within] you [C his manifest presence].
People will know that I am the Lord
when I ·have punished Sidon [L execute judgments against her];
I will show my holiness ·by defeating [L in] her.
23 I will send ·diseases [a plague/pestilence] to Sidon,
and blood will flow in her streets.
·Those who are wounded [or The slain] ·in Sidon will fall dead [L will fall in her midst],
·attacked from [L by the sword against it on] all sides.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.
God Will Help Israel
24 “‘No more will neighboring nations be like ·thorny branches [prickling briars] or sharp ·stickers [thorns] to ·hurt [L treat with contempt/scorn the house of] Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.
25 “‘This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the ·people [L house] of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness ·when the nations see what I do for my people [L in them in the sight of the nations]. Then they will live in their own land—the land I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have ·punished [executed judgments against] all the nations around who ·hate them [treat them with contempt; scorn them]. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’”
Prophecy Against Egypt
29 It was the tenth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month [C January 7, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·look [L set your face] toward the king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and all Egypt. 3 Say: ‘This is what the Lord God says:
[L Look; T Behold] I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
You are like a great ·crocodile [or monster; or dragon] that lies in the Nile River.
You say, “The Nile is mine;
I made it for myself.”
4 But I will put hooks in your jaws,
and I will make the fish of the Nile stick to your ·sides [scales].
I will pull you up out of your ·rivers [streams],
with all the fish of your streams sticking to your ·sides [scales].
5 I will leave you in the ·desert [wilderness] ,
you and all the fish from your ·rivers [streams].
You will fall onto the ·ground [open field];
you will not be picked up or ·buried [L gathered].
I have given you to the ·wild animals [L beasts of the earth]
and to the birds of the sky for food.
6 Then all the people who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord.
“‘·Israel tried to lean on you for help, but you were like a crutch made out of a weak stalk of grass [L Because you were a reed staff for the house of Israel…; Is. 36:6]. 7 When their hands grabbed you, you ·splintered [broke] and tore open their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you ·broke [splintered] and made all their ·backs twist [or legs go wobbly; or loins shake].
8 “‘So this is what the Lord God says: I will ·cause an enemy to attack [L bring a sword against] you and kill your people and animals. 9 Egypt will become an ·empty desert [desolate wasteland]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
“‘Because you said, “The Nile River is mine, and I have made it,” 10 I am against you and your ·rivers [streams]. I will destroy the land of Egypt and make it an ·empty desert [desolate wasteland] from Migdol [C in the north] to Aswan [C in the south], all the way to the border of Cush [C Ethiopia]. 11 No ·person or animal will walk [L foot of man shall pass through it and no foot of beast will pass] through it, and no one will live in Egypt for forty years. 12 I will make the land of Egypt ·the most deserted country of all [L a desolation among desolate lands]. Her cities will be ·the most deserted of all [a desolation among] ruined cities for forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries.
13 “‘This is what the Lord God says: After forty years I will gather Egypt from the nations where they have been scattered. 14 I will ·bring back the Egyptian captives [restore the fortunes of Egypt] and make them return to ·southern Egypt [L the land of Pathros], to the land ·they came from [of their ancestry/origin]. They will become a ·weak [lowly; insignificant] kingdom there. 15 It will be the ·weakest [most lowly/insignificant] kingdom, and it will never again ·rule [L exalt itself over] other nations. I will make it so ·weak [small] it will never again rule over the nations. 16 The Israelites will never again ·depend on [rely on; have confidence in] Egypt. Instead, ·Egypt’s punishment [L it] will remind the Israelites of their sin in turning to Egypt for help. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.’”
Egypt Is Given to Babylon
17 It was the twenty-seventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the first month, on the first day of the month [C April 26, 571 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 18 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his army ·fight [L labor] hard against Tyre. Every soldier’s head was rubbed bare, and every shoulder was rubbed raw. But Nebuchadnezzar and his army gained ·nothing [or no wages] from ·fighting Tyre [L the labor he performed against her]. 19 So this is what the Lord God says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will ·take away Egypt’s people and its wealth and its treasures [L carry off its wealth and loot and plunder it] as pay for his army. 20 I am giving Nebuchadnezzar the land of Egypt as ·a reward [compensation] for working hard for me, says the Lord God.
21 “·At that time [L On that day] I will ·make Israel grow strong again [L cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel; Ps. 132:17], and I will ·let you, Ezekiel, speak to them [L give you an open mouth among them]. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Egypt Will Be Punished
30 The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Lord God says:
·Cry [Wail] ·and say [Alas; L Hah],
“·The terrible day is coming [L …for the day].”
3 [L For] The day is near;
the ·Lord’s day of judging [L Day of the Lord] is near.
It is a ·cloudy day [day of clouds; C perhaps storm clouds, or indicating the presence of God; Joel 2:2; Ex. 19:9]
and a time ·when the nations will be judged [L for the nations].
4 An ·enemy will attack [L sword will come against] Egypt,
and Cush [C Ethiopia] will ·tremble with fear [be in anguish].
When the ·killing begins [L slain fall] in Egypt,
her wealth will be ·taken away [carried off],
and her foundations will be torn down.
5 Cush, Put, ·Lydia [L Lud; 27:10], all ·Arabia [or all the foreigners; or all the mercenaries], ·Libya [L Kub], and ·some of my people who had made an agreement with Egypt [or the people of allied lands; L the sons of the land of the covenant] will fall ·dead in war [L by the sword with them].
6 “‘This is what the Lord says:
·Those who fight on Egypt’s side [Egypt’s supporters] will fall.
The power she is proud of will ·be lost [collapse; come down].
From Migdol [C in northern Egypt] to ·Aswan [L Syene; C in southern Egypt],
the people will fall ·dead in war [L by the sword]
says the Lord God.
7 They will be ·the most deserted [L desolate in the midst of desolate] lands.
Egypt’s cities will be ·the worst [L in the midst] of cities that lie in ruins.
8 Then they will know that I am the Lord
when I set fire to Egypt
and when all ·those nations on her side [her helpers/allies] are crushed.
9 “‘·At that time [L On that day] I will send messengers in ships to frighten Cush [C Ethiopia], which ·now feels safe [is over-confident; or is complacent]. ·The people of Cush will tremble with fear [L Anguish will come upon them] ·when Egypt is punished [L in the day of Egypt]. And [L look; T behold] that time is sure to come.
10 “‘This is what the Lord God says:
I will destroy ·great numbers of people in [L the hordes of] Egypt
·through the power [L by the hand] of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
11 Nebuchadnezzar and his ·army [or people],
the ·cruelest army [most ruthless] of any nation,
will be brought in to destroy the land.
They will draw their swords against Egypt
and will fill the land with ·those they kill [the slain].
12 I will make the streams of the Nile River become dry land,
and then I will sell the land to evil people.
I will ·destroy [desolate] the land and everything in it
through the ·power [L hand] of foreigners.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
Egypt’s Idols Are Destroyed
13 “‘This is what the Lord God says:
I will destroy the idols
and ·take away [put an end to] the ·statues of gods from the city of [L images in] Memphis.
There will no longer be a ·leader [prince] in the land of Egypt,
and I will spread fear through the land of Egypt.
14 I will make ·southern Egypt [L Pathros] ·empty [a desolation]
and ·start a fire in [or set fire to] Zoan
and ·punish [execute judgment on] Thebes.
15 And I will pour out my anger against Pelusium [C a fortess in the eastern delta of the Nile River],
the ·strong place [stronghold] of Egypt.
I will ·destroy [cut off] ·great numbers of people in [the hordes/armies of] Thebes.
16 I will set fire to Egypt.
Pelusium [v. 15] will ·be in great pain [writhe in agony].
·The walls of Thebes will be broken open [Thebes will be breached],
and Memphis will ·have troubles [or face enemies] every day.
17 The young men of ·Heliopolis [L On; C six miles northeast of Cairo] and Bubastis [C the capital of northern Egypt; forty miles northeast of Cairo]
will fall dead ·in war [L by the sword],
and ·the people [or the cities; L they] will be taken away as captives.
18 In Tahpanhes [C in northeast Egypt] the day will be dark
when I break ·Egypt’s power [L the yoke of Egypt].
Then ·she will no longer be proud of her power [her proud strength will cease].
A cloud will cover Egypt,
and her ·villages [L daughters] will be captured and taken away.
19 So I will ·punish [execute judgments on] Egypt,
and they will know I am the Lord.’”
Egypt Becomes Weak
20 It was in the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the first month, on the seventh day of the month [C April 29, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 21 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], I have broken the ·powerful arm [L arm] of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. It has not been ·tied [bound] up, so it will not get well. It has not been wrapped with a bandage, so it will not be strong enough to hold a sword in war. 22 So this is what the Lord God says: [L Look; T Behold] I am against Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong arm and the broken arm, and I will make the sword fall from his hand. 23 I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries. 24 I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and put my sword in his hand. But I will break the arms of Pharaoh. Then ·when he faces the king of Babylon [L before him] he will ·cry out in pain [groan] like a ·dying [mortally wounded] person. 25 So I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong, but the arms of the king of Egypt will ·fall [become limp]. Then people will know that I am the Lord when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he ·uses it in war [wields it; extends it] against the land of Egypt. 26 Then I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, spreading them among the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
A Cedar Tree
31 It was in the eleventh year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the third month, on the first day of the month [C June 21, 587 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], say to the king of Egypt and his people:
‘·No one [L Who…?] is like you in your greatness.
3 [L Look; T Behold] Assyria was once like a cedar tree in Lebanon
with beautiful branches that shaded the forest.
It was ·very tall [a towering height];
its top was among the clouds.
4 Much water made the tree grow;
the deep springs made it tall.
Rivers flowed
around ·the bottom of the tree [its place of planting]
and sent their ·streams [channels]
to all other trees ·in the countryside [of the field].
5 So the tree was taller
than all the other trees ·in the countryside [of the field].
Its ·limbs [boughs] became large and its branches long
because of ·so much [abundant] water.
6 All the birds of the ·sky [heavens]
made their nests in the tree’s ·limbs [boughs; Dan. 4:12, 21].
And all the ·wild animals [beasts of the field]
gave birth under its branches.
All great nations
lived in the tree’s shade.
7 So the tree was great and beautiful,
with its long branches,
because its roots reached down to ·much [abundant] water.
8 The cedar trees in the garden of God [C Eden]
were not as great as it was.
The ·pine [fir; juniper] trees
·did not have such great [could not equal its] ·limbs [boughs].
The plane trees
did not have such branches.
No tree in the garden of God
was as beautiful as this tree.
9 I made it beautiful
with many branches,
and all the trees of Eden in the garden of God
·wanted to be like [envied] it.
10 “‘So this is what the Lord God says: The tree grew tall. Its top reached the clouds, and it became proud of its height. 11 So I handed it ·over to [L into the hand of] a mighty ruler of the nations for him to ·punish [deal with] it. Because it was ·evil [wicked], I ·got rid of it [threw it out; cast it aside]. 12 The ·cruelest [most ruthless] foreign nation cut it down and left it. The tree’s branches fell on the mountains and in all the valleys, and its ·broken limbs [boughs] were in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth left the shade of that tree. 13 The birds of the ·sky [heavens] live on the fallen tree. The wild animals live among the tree’s fallen branches. 14 So the trees that grow by the water will not ·be proud to be [or grow so] tall; they will not put their tops among the clouds. None of the trees that are watered well will grow that tall, because they all are ·meant [appointed; consigned] to die and go ·under the ground [or to the underworld; to the depths of the earth]. They will be with ·people who have died [mortals; L sons of men] and ·have gone down [those who descend] to the ·place of the dead [L pit].
15 “‘This is what the Lord God says: On the day ·when the tree [L it; C Assyria] went down to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol], I ·made the deep springs cry loudly [or caused mourning]. I ·covered them [or closed the deep over it] and held back their rivers, and the great waters ·stopped flowing [were restrained]. I dressed Lebanon ·in black [or with gloom; C in mourning for the great tree], and all the trees in the countryside ·were sad about it [wilted; fainted]. 16 I made the nations ·shake with fear [tremble; quake] at the sound of the tree falling when I brought it down to ·the place of the dead [Sheol]. It went to join those who ·have gone down [descend] to the ·grave [pit; C the trees represent other great nations that have fallen]. Then all the trees of Eden and the best and ·most beautiful [choicest] trees of Lebanon, all the well-watered trees, were comforted in the ·place of the dead below the earth [underworld; world below]. 17 These trees had also gone down with the great tree to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol]. They joined those who were killed ·in war [L by the sword] and those among the nations who had lived under the great tree’s shade.
18 “‘·So no tree [L Which of the trees…?] in Eden is equal to you [C Egypt], in ·greatness [glory; splendor] and ·honor [greatness; majesty], but you will go down to join the trees of Eden in the ·place below the earth [underworld]. You will lie among ·unclean people [L the uncircumcised], with those who were killed ·in war [L by the sword].
“‘This is about Pharaoh and all his ·people [hordes; armies], says the Lord God.’”
A Funeral Song
32 It was in the twelfth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month [C March 3, 585 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 2 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], sing a ·funeral song [lament; dirge] about Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Say to him:
‘You are like a young lion [19:1–9] among the nations.
You are like a ·crocodile [or monster; or dragon; 29:4] in the seas.
You ·splash [thrash] around in your streams
and stir up the water with your feet,
making the rivers muddy.
3 “‘This is what the Lord God says:
I will spread my net over you,
and I will use a ·large group of [assembly of many] people
to ·pull [haul] you up in my net.
4 Then I will ·throw [cast; or abandon] you on the land
·dropping [hurling] you onto the ·ground [open field].
I will let the birds of the ·sky [heavens] ·rest [settle] on you
and all the animals of the earth ·eat you until they are full [gorge themselves on you; Rev. 19:21].
5 I will scatter your flesh on the mountains
and fill the valleys with ·what is left of you [your remains; L your height].
6 I will drench the land with your flowing blood
as far as the mountains,
and the ravines will be full of your flesh.
7 When I ·make you disappear [snuff/blot you out],
I will cover the ·sky [heavens] and make the stars dark.
I will cover the sun with a cloud,
and the moon will not shine.
8 I will make all the shining lights in the ·sky [heavens]
become dark over you;
I will bring darkness over your land,
says the Lord God.
9 I will ·cause many people to be afraid [L trouble the hearts of many peoples]
when I bring ·you as a captive into other [or about your destruction among the] nations,
to lands you have not known.
10 I will cause many people to be shocked about you.
Their kings will tremble with ·fear [horror] because of you
when I ·swing [brandish] my sword in front of them.
They will ·shake [tremble] every moment
on the day ·you fall [of your downfall];
each ·king [one] will ·be afraid [tremble] for his own life.
11 “‘So this is what the Lord God says:
The sword of the king of Babylon
will attack you.
12 I will cause your people to fall
by the swords of mighty soldiers,
the most ·terrible [ruthless] ·in the world [of nations].
They will ·destroy [shatter] the pride of Egypt
and all its ·people [L hordes/armies will be destroyed].
13 I will also destroy all Egypt’s cattle
that live alongside much water.
The foot of a human will not ·stir [disturb] the water,
and the hoofs of cattle will not muddy it anymore.
14 So I will let ·the Egyptians’ [L their] water ·become clear [or calm; L sink; settle].
I will cause their rivers to run ·as smoothly as [L like] olive oil,
says the Lord God.
15 When I make the land of Egypt ·empty [a desolation]
and ·take [strip out; empty] everything that is in the land,
when I ·destroy [strike down] all those who live in Egypt,
then they will know that I am the Lord.’
16 “This is the ·funeral song [lament; dirge] people will sing for Egypt. The ·women [L daughters] of the nations will ·sing [chant] it; they will ·sing [chant] it for Egypt and all ·its people [her hordes/armies], says the Lord God.”
Egypt to Be Destroyed
17 It was in the twelfth year [C since King Jehoiachin’s exile (1:2)], on the fifteenth day of the month [C March 17, 585 bc]. The ·Lord spoke his word [L word of the Lord came] to me, saying: 18 “·Human [T Son of man; 2:1], ·cry [wail] for the people of Egypt. Bring down Egypt, together with the ·women [L daughters] of the powerful nations; bring them down to the ·place of the dead below the earth [underworld; world below] to join those who go to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. 19 Say to them: ‘Are you more ·beautiful [or favored] than others? Go lie down [C in death] with ·those who are unclean [L the uncircumcised].’ 20 ·The Egyptians [L They] will fall among those killed ·in war [L by the sword]. The sword is ·ready [drawn; or appointed]; ·the enemy [L they] will drag Egypt and all her ·people [hordes; armies] away. 21 From the ·place of the dead [L midst of Sheol] the ·leaders of the mighty ones [or mighty leaders; warrior chiefs] will speak ·about [or to] ·the king of Egypt and the nations which help him [L him and his allies]: ‘The ·unclean [L uncircumcised], those killed ·in war [L by the sword], have come down here and ·lie dead [L lie].’
22 “Assyria and all its ·army [assembly; company] lie dead there. ·The graves of their soldiers [L Its graves] are all around. All were ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword], 23 and their graves were put in the deepest parts of the ·place of the dead [L pit]. ·Assyria’s army [L Her assembly/company] lies around its grave. When they ·lived on earth [L were in the land of the living], they ·frightened people [spread terror], but now all of them have been ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword].
24 “The nation of Elam [C a country east of Assyria; present-day Iran] is there with all its ·army [hordes] around its grave. All of them were ·killed in war [L struck down by the sword]. They had ·frightened people [L spread terror] ·on earth [L in the land of the living] and so went down ·unclean [L uncircumcised] to the ·lowest parts of the place of the dead [underworld; world below]. They must carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. 25 A ·bed [resting place] has been made for Elam [v. 24] ·with all those killed in war [among the slain]. The graves of her ·soldiers [hordes] are all around her. All Elam’s people are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They ·frightened people [spread terror] ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living], but now they must carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit]. ·Their graves are [or They are assigned a place; L They are set] with the rest who were killed.
26 “·Meshech and Tubal [or Meshech-tubal; C people from Asia Minor, southeast of the Black Sea; 27:13] are there with the graves of all their ·soldiers [hordes] around them. All of them are ·unclean [uncircumcised] and have been killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They also ·frightened people [spread terror] ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living]. 27 But they ·are not buried [L do not lie] with the ·other soldiers who were killed in battle [fallen warriors of] long ago,[d] those who went with their weapons of war to ·the place of the dead [L Sheol]. These soldiers had their swords laid under their heads and their ·shields [or iniquities; guilt] resting on their ·bodies [L bones]. These mighty soldiers used to ·frighten [terrorize] people ·when they lived on earth [L in the land of the living].
28 “You [C addressing Pharaoh, king of Egypt] will be broken and lie among ·those who are unclean [L the uncircumcised], who were killed ·in war [L by the sword].
29 “Edom is there also, with its kings and all its ·leaders [princes]. They were mighty, but now they lie [C in death] with those killed ·in war [L by the sword], with those who are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit].
30 “All the ·rulers [princes] of the north and all the Sidonians are there. Their strength frightened people, but they have gone down in shame with those who were killed. They are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], lying with those killed ·in war [L by the sword]. They carry their shame with those who have gone down to the ·place of the dead [L pit].
31 “·The king of Egypt [L Pharaoh] and his army will see ·these who have been killed in war [L them]. Then he will be comforted for all his ·soldiers [hordes] killed ·in war [L by the sword], says the Lord God. 32 I ·made people afraid of the king of Egypt [or terrified him] ·while he lived on earth [L in the land of the living]. But he and all his ·people [hordes; armies] will lie among those who are ·unclean [L uncircumcised], who were killed ·in war [L by the sword], says the Lord God.”
Footnotes
- Ezekiel 27:15 Rhodes Greek copies read “Rhodes.” Hebrew copies read “Dedan.”
- Ezekiel 27:16 Aram Some Hebrew copies read “Edom.”
- Ezekiel 27:18 barrels of wine Some Hebrew copies read “Vedan and Javan.”
- Ezekiel 32:27 long ago Greek copies read “long ago.” Hebrew copies read “of the uncircumcised.”
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
