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Pharaoh’s Power Broken
Ezekiel 30:20–26 is a dated prophecy against Pharaoh king of Egypt. With the picture of broken arms and a fallen sword, Yahweh announces the collapse of Pharaoh’s power and the strengthening of Babylon’s king.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
The passage starts by marking the exact time when Yahweh’s word came to Ezekiel. The message centres on Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the king of Babylon. Its repeated images of arms, swords, scattering, and the line “they will know that I am Yahweh” show both the judgement and its purpose.
Ezekiel 30:20–26Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that Yahweh rules over kings and armies, bringing down Pharaoh’s strength and making himself known.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A dated message from YahwehThe prophecy begins with a precise date, showing this is a specific word that came to Ezekiel at a set time.
Explanation
The prophecy begins with a precise date, showing this is a specific word that came to Ezekiel at a set time. Yahweh addresses Ezekiel as “son of man” and immediately names Pharaoh king of Egypt, making the focus of the message plain from the beginning.
02A broken arm means lost strengthYahweh says Pharaoh’s arm is broken. The image is explained within the verse itself. It has not been bound, treated with medicines, or bandaged so that it could become strong enough to hold a sword.
Explanation
Yahweh says Pharaoh’s arm is broken. The image is explained within the verse itself. It has not been bound, treated with medicines, or bandaged so that it could become strong enough to hold a sword. Pharaoh’s strength is pictured as damaged and unable to recover for battle.
03Both arms will be brokenThe message then becomes stronger. The Lord Yahweh is against Pharaoh and will break both his arms, even the strong one.
Explanation
The message then becomes stronger. The Lord Yahweh is against Pharaoh and will break both his arms, even the strong one. The sword will fall from his hand. The picture moves from injury to complete weakness, showing that Pharaoh will not keep hold of military power.
04Babylon is strengthened and Egypt is scatteredIn contrast to Pharaoh, Yahweh says he will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put his sword in his hand.
Explanation
In contrast to Pharaoh, Yahweh says he will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put his sword in his hand. Pharaoh will groan, Egypt will be scattered among the nations, and the repeated outcome is that they will know that Yahweh is Yahweh.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What details in the passage explain the meaning of Pharaoh’s broken arm?
Look for the missing treatment and the statement about whether the arm can hold a sword.
02How does the prophecy contrast Pharaoh with the king of Babylon?
Compare whose arms are broken, whose arms are strengthened, and who is given the sword.
03What repeated result follows the judgement on Egypt?
Notice the repeated line near the end and connect it with the scattering of the Egyptians.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 30:20–26
20In the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
21“Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Behold, it has not been bound up, to apply medicines, to put a bandage to bind it, that it may become strong to hold the sword.
22Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: ‘Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong arm, and that which was broken. I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.
23I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.
24I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand; but I will break the arms of Pharaoh, and he will groan before the king of Babylon with the groaning of a mortally wounded man.
25I will hold up the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fall down. Then they will know that I am Yahweh when I put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he stretches it out on the land of Egypt.
26I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”