Read & explore together
Egypt the Reward of Nebuchadnezzar
This prophecy explains how Yahweh speaks about Nebuchadnezzar, Tyre, Egypt and Israel in one short message. It shows that military power, payment and future hope are all placed under Yahweh’s rule.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage is dated to a specific year and month, then records Yahweh’s word to Ezekiel. It speaks about Nebuchadnezzar’s service against Tyre, says he and his army received no wages from Tyre, and then announces Egypt as payment. The message ends with a promise concerning Israel and Ezekiel’s speaking.
Ezekiel 29:17–21Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh rules over nations, repays service as he chooses, and still speaks hope to the house of Israel.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A dated word from YahwehThe passage begins carefully, with a date and a clear statement that Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel.
Explanation
The passage begins carefully, with a date and a clear statement that Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel. That matters because this is presented as a prophetic message, not a general reflection. The focus is on what Yahweh says about real nations and rulers at this point in the book.
02Tyre gave no wages for hard serviceYahweh says Nebuchadnezzar made his army perform great service against Tyre. The vivid details about bald heads and worn shoulders show exhausting labour.
Explanation
Yahweh says Nebuchadnezzar made his army perform great service against Tyre. The vivid details about bald heads and worn shoulders show exhausting labour. Yet the army received no wages from Tyre for that service. The passage does not describe the whole campaign, only Yahweh’s assessment of the outcome.
03Egypt given as paymentBecause Tyre gave no wages, the Lord Yahweh says he will give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar. The language of carrying off multitude, plunder and prey shows Egypt being treated as the army’s reward.
Explanation
Because Tyre gave no wages, the Lord Yahweh says he will give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar. The language of carrying off multitude, plunder and prey shows Egypt being treated as the army’s reward. The key point in the passage is that this outcome is declared by Yahweh as wages for the army.
04Service rendered to Yahweh, and hope for IsraelYahweh says he has given Egypt as payment because they worked for him. This presents imperial action under Yahweh’s authority without turning the passage into a story of human achievement.
Explanation
Yahweh says he has given Egypt as payment because they worked for him. This presents imperial action under Yahweh’s authority without turning the passage into a story of human achievement. The final verse then shifts to Israel, promising a horn to sprout and Ezekiel’s mouth to be opened, so they will know Yahweh.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details show how demanding the service against Tyre was?
Look for the physical description in the verse about bald heads and worn shoulders, and connect it to the phrase ‘great service’.
02Why does Yahweh say Egypt will be given to Nebuchadnezzar?
The answer is stated directly in terms of wages, payment and service, so trace the repeated idea across the two verses.
03How does the ending turn from Babylon and Egypt toward Israel?
Notice the promise of a horn for the house of Israel and the opening of Ezekiel’s mouth, then ask what result this will have.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 29:17–21
17It came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
18“Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it.
19Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her multitude, take her plunder, and take her prey. That will be the wages for his army.
20I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he served, because they worked for me,’ says the Lord Yahweh.
21“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 Yahweh.”