Ezekiel 30:22
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt. I will break his arms, both the strong one and the one already broken, and will make the sword fall from his hand.
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says
This phrase introduces a divine pronouncement, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" is "Adonai Yahweh," underscoring God's supreme power and covenantal relationship with His people. This introduction sets the stage for a message of judgment, reminding the audience that the words to follow are not merely human predictions but divine declarations.

Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt
The word "Behold" serves as a call to attention, urging the listener to focus on the gravity of the message. "I am against" indicates God's opposition, a formidable stance that signifies impending judgment. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, represents not just a political leader but a symbol of earthly power and arrogance. Historically, Egypt was a dominant force, often seen as a refuge or ally by Israel. God's opposition to Pharaoh highlights the futility of relying on human strength and alliances instead of divine support.

I will break his arms, both the strong one and the broken one
The imagery of breaking "arms" symbolizes the destruction of military power and strength. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the arm was a metaphor for might and capability. By specifying "both the strong one and the broken one," the text suggests a comprehensive dismantling of Pharaoh's power, leaving no room for recovery or resistance. This duality may also imply that God will shatter both the current strength and any remnants of past power, ensuring total defeat.

and I will make the sword fall from his hand
The "sword" represents military might and the ability to wage war. By causing the sword to "fall from his hand," God is stripping Pharaoh of his ability to defend himself or assert dominance. This act signifies not only a loss of power but also a divine intervention that renders human efforts futile. In the broader biblical narrative, this serves as a reminder that true security and victory come from reliance on God, not on human weapons or strategies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and omnipotent God of Israel, who speaks through the prophet Ezekiel.

2. Pharaoh, King of Egypt
The ruler of Egypt, representing the nation’s power and opposition to God’s people.

3. Egypt
A powerful nation often in conflict with Israel, symbolizing worldly power and opposition to God.

4. Ezekiel
A prophet of God, delivering messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

5. The Sword
Symbolizes warfare and judgment, representing the power and authority that God will remove from Pharaoh.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and rulers, and His purposes will prevail despite human opposition.

The Futility of Opposing God
Like Pharaoh, any power that sets itself against God will ultimately be broken and defeated.

Divine Judgment and Justice
God's judgment is just and serves as a warning to those who rely on their own strength rather than submitting to Him.

The Power of God's Word
The prophetic word through Ezekiel demonstrates the power and certainty of God's declarations.

Trust in God's Deliverance
Believers can trust that God will deliver them from the powers of this world, just as He promised to deal with Egypt.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the breaking of Pharaoh's arms symbolize God's judgment on Egypt, and what can we learn about God's power over nations?

2. In what ways does the account of the Exodus parallel the prophecy in Ezekiel 30:22, and how does this reinforce the theme of God's deliverance?

3. How can we apply the lesson of God's sovereignty in Ezekiel 30:22 to current global events and our personal lives?

4. What does the removal of the sword from Pharaoh's hand teach us about the source of true power and authority?

5. How can we ensure that we are not opposing God in our own lives, and what steps can we take to align ourselves with His will?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 7-12
The plagues of Egypt demonstrate God's power over Pharaoh and Egypt, similar to the judgment pronounced in Ezekiel.

Isaiah 19
Prophecies against Egypt, showing a consistent biblical theme of God's judgment on nations opposing His will.

Jeremiah 46
Another prophecy against Egypt, reinforcing the message of divine judgment and the futility of opposing God.

Psalm 2
Speaks of the futility of nations and rulers who oppose God, aligning with the theme of divine sovereignty in Ezekiel 30:22.

Revelation 19
Describes the ultimate defeat of worldly powers opposing God, echoing the judgment against Pharaoh.
One Strengthened and Another WeakenedJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 30:20-24
The Broken ArmJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 30:20-26
The Broken and the Strengthened ArmW. Clarkson Ezekiel 30:21, 22, 24
People
Cherethites, Cushites, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Ezekiel, Lud, Lydia, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Phut
Places
Arabia, Babylon, Cush, Egypt, Libya, Lud, Memphis, Migdol, Nile River, On, Pathros, Pelusium, Pi-beseth, Put, Syene, Tehaphnehes, Thebes, Zoan
Topics
Arm, Arms, Behold, Break, Broken, Cause, Caused, Egypt, Fall, Pharaoh, Says, Strong, Sword, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 30:21-22

     5126   arm

Library
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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