The theme of divine judgment upon Egypt is a significant motif in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's sovereignty and justice. This judgment is primarily depicted in the context of the Exodus and the prophetic literature, where Egypt serves as both a historical nation and a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's people.

Exodus and the Plagues

The most prominent account of judgment on Egypt is found in the Book of Exodus. The Israelites, having been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, cry out to God for deliverance. God responds by sending Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh with a demand to let His people go. Pharaoh's repeated refusal leads to a series of ten devastating plagues, each demonstrating the powerlessness of Egypt's gods and the supremacy of Yahweh.

1. Water Turned to Blood: The Nile, Egypt's lifeblood, is turned to blood, killing the fish and making the water undrinkable (Exodus 7:14-24).
2. Frogs: Frogs overrun the land, entering homes and disrupting daily life (Exodus 8:1-15).
3. Gnats: Dust becomes gnats, afflicting people and animals (Exodus 8:16-19).
4. Flies: Swarms of flies invade, causing chaos (Exodus 8:20-32).
5. Livestock Disease: A severe plague strikes the Egyptian livestock (Exodus 9:1-7).
6. Boils: Painful boils afflict the Egyptians and their animals (Exodus 9:8-12).
7. Hail: A destructive hailstorm devastates crops and property (Exodus 9:13-35).
8. Locusts: Locusts consume what remains after the hail (Exodus 10:1-20).
9. Darkness: A palpable darkness covers Egypt for three days (Exodus 10:21-29).
10. Death of the Firstborn: The final and most severe plague results in the death of every firstborn Egyptian, leading to Israel's release (Exodus 11:1-12:36).

These plagues serve as acts of judgment against Egypt's idolatry and oppression, culminating in the liberation of the Israelites. The narrative underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant and His power to redeem His people.

Prophetic Oracles Against Egypt

Beyond the Exodus, the prophets also pronounce judgments against Egypt. These oracles often reflect historical events and serve as warnings to Israel and other nations about the consequences of pride and reliance on human strength.

1. Isaiah: In Isaiah 19, the prophet foretells a time when Egypt will be struck by internal strife and natural disasters, leading to its humiliation. Yet, there is also a promise of future redemption and alliance with Israel and Assyria (Isaiah 19:23-25).

2. Jeremiah: Jeremiah 46 contains a prophecy against Egypt, specifically addressing Pharaoh Neco and the defeat at Carchemish. The chapter emphasizes that Egypt's might will not save it from divine judgment (Jeremiah 46:25-26).

3. Ezekiel: Ezekiel 29-32 contains a series of oracles against Egypt, portraying it as a broken reed and predicting its desolation. The imagery of the Nile and the crocodile (Ezekiel 29:3-5) highlights Egypt's pride and eventual downfall.

4. Nahum: Although primarily focused on Nineveh, Nahum 3:8-10 references the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) as a warning to Assyria, illustrating that even mighty Egypt was not immune to God's judgment.

Symbolic and Eschatological References

In the New Testament, Egypt occasionally serves as a symbol of sin and bondage. Revelation 11:8 refers to a "great city" symbolically called Egypt, indicating a place of spiritual oppression and rebellion against God.

The judgment on Egypt throughout Scripture serves as a testament to God's justice and His ability to humble the proud. It also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and judgment that will be fulfilled in Christ, who leads His people out of spiritual bondage into the promised rest.