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A Prophecy against Pharaoh
Ezekiel 29:1–7 is a prophecy spoken against Pharaoh and Egypt. It uses strong picture language to show Yahweh opposing pride and exposing Egypt as an unreliable support for Israel.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage opens with a dated word from Yahweh to Ezekiel. He is told to face Pharaoh king of Egypt and speak against him and all Egypt. The message focuses on Pharaoh’s proud claim over his river and on Egypt’s failure as a help to the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 29:1–7Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that Yahweh stands against proud self-claiming rulers and exposes false supports that cannot hold his people up.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A dated message and a direct targetThe passage begins carefully, with a specific date and a clear command. Yahweh’s word comes to Ezekiel, and he must set his face against Pharaoh king of Egypt.
Explanation
The passage begins carefully, with a specific date and a clear command. Yahweh’s word comes to Ezekiel, and he must set his face against Pharaoh king of Egypt. The prophecy is not only about one ruler, because it also speaks against all Egypt.
02Pharaoh’s proud claimYahweh describes Pharaoh as “the great monster” lying in the middle of his rivers. In this prophecy, that image highlights power and danger.
Explanation
Yahweh describes Pharaoh as “the great monster” lying in the middle of his rivers. In this prophecy, that image highlights power and danger. Pharaoh’s problem is also stated plainly: he says, “My river is my own, and I have made it for myself,” claiming ownership and self-making.
03Hooks, fish and removalThe next lines continue the river picture. Yahweh says he will put hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws and pull him up, with fish stuck to his scales.
Explanation
The next lines continue the river picture. Yahweh says he will put hooks in Pharaoh’s jaws and pull him up, with fish stuck to his scales. The image presents Pharaoh as unable to remain secure in the place where he thinks he rules. Those attached to him are pulled up as well.
04Cast out and left exposedThe prophecy then shifts from the river to the wilderness and open field. Pharaoh and the fish are cast out and not gathered.
Explanation
The prophecy then shifts from the river to the wilderness and open field. Pharaoh and the fish are cast out and not gathered. Instead of honour and safety, they are left exposed and become food for animals and birds. This is a sober picture of defeat and disgrace under Yahweh’s judgment.
05A broken staff of reedThe closing reason concerns Egypt’s relationship to Israel. All Egypt will know that Yahweh is Yahweh because Egypt has been like a reed staff to the house of Israel.
Explanation
The closing reason concerns Egypt’s relationship to Israel. All Egypt will know that Yahweh is Yahweh because Egypt has been like a reed staff to the house of Israel. A staff should support, but this one breaks in the hand and injures the one leaning on it. Egypt proved unreliable.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Pharaoh claim about the river, and why does that matter in this prophecy?
Look closely at Pharaoh’s own words and notice how Yahweh answers that claim with judgment.
02How does the fish-and-scales picture show that others are tied to Pharaoh’s downfall?
Notice what happens not only to Pharaoh but also to the fish that stick to him when he is pulled out and cast out.
03Why is Egypt compared to a staff of reed for the house of Israel?
Read the explanation about taking hold, leaning, breaking and injury to see what kind of help Egypt gave.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 29:1–7
1In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
2“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.
3Speak 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 rivers, that has said, ‘My river is my own, and I have made it for myself.’
4I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales. I will bring you up out of the middle of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales.
5I’ll cast you out into the wilderness, you and all the fish of your rivers. You’ll fall on the open field. You won’t be brought together or gathered. I have given you for food to the animals of the earth and to the birds of the sky.
6“ ‘ “All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
7When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke and paralyzed all of their thighs.”