FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
interpretation Ezekiel 29:3
KJVSpeak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.
Read it in context
A Prophecy against Pharaoh
Start reading at Ezekiel 29:1 (Ezekiel 29:1 to Ezekiel 29:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
- 29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
- 29:2 Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:
- 29:3 Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.
- 29:4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.
- 29:5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.
- 29:6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
- 29:7 When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a stand.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest and prophet among the exiles, is the named prophetic voice and traditional author. Biblical references: Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 1:3. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Ezekiel 25:1–32:32): The named foreign peoples and rulers—Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt—are the targets of the oracles heard by Ezekiel's community. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The house of Israel, with Ezekiel speaking especially among the Judean exiles in Babylonia. Some visions concern people in Jerusalem or other nations rather than people physically present with him. Biblical references: Ezekiel 3:11; Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 24:21. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? A Prophecy against Pharaoh. Read Ezekiel 29:1 through Ezekiel 29:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book repeatedly dates visions by years of captivity. Events pictured in a vision, the time of receiving it, and the time of later fulfillment should be distinguished. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Ezekiel is among the exiles by the river Chebar. Visions carry him to other scenes, including Jerusalem; visionary location is not automatically ordinary physical travel. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in A Prophecy against Pharaoh (Ezekiel 29:1 to Ezekiel 29:7). Start reading at Ezekiel 29:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The shepherd promise can be read alongside Jesus' teaching about the good shepherd. The connection should retain Ezekiel's concern for the scattered flock and the failure of Israel's shepherds. See Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Take warnings about personal responsibility and corrupt leadership seriously. When interpreting symbolic acts or visions, begin with the explanations supplied within the book. interpretation
Cited: Ezekiel 29:1, Ezekiel 29:7, Ezekiel 34:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11
Who wrote it, and how we know
Ezekiel the prophet
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book is written in the first person by Ezekiel the priest.
Ezekiel 1:1Ezekiel 1:3
Early traditionTradition names Ezekiel.
What is debatedSome scholars propose later editing.
Related passages
- I am Ezek 29:10 Ezek 28:22 Ps 76:7 Jer 44:30 Nah 1:6
- the great Ezek 32:2 Ps 74:13-14 Isa 27:1 Isa 51:9 Rev 12:3-4,16-17 Rev 13:2,4,11 Rev 16:13 Rev 20:2
- My river Ezek 29:9 Ezek 28:2 Deut 8:17 Isa 10:13-14 Dan 4:30-31
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel 29
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
The Desolation of Egypt
Ezekiel 29:8–16FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Connection to the wholeThe messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
interpretation Egypt the Reward of Nebuchadnezzar
Ezekiel 29:17–21FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Ezekiel
Ezekiel locates his ministry among the exiles and dates many visions by years of captivity. Symbolic acts and visions require attention to their stated explanations; a modern identification is not supplied merely by the presence of a symbol.
Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 1:2 Ezekiel 1:3
The vision and commission
Ezekiel 1:1–3:27FocusGlory, the scroll, and responsibility
Connection to the wholeThe opening vision and commission establish Ezekiel's task among the exiles and his responsibility to speak the LORD's words.
interpretation Judgment on Jerusalem
Ezekiel 4:1–24:27FocusSigns, visions, and covenant unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeA sustained sequence of signs and messages exposes Jerusalem's sin and announces the coming disaster.
interpretation FocusThe surrounding powers judged
Connection to the wholeThe messages address neighboring peoples and powerful kingdoms, showing that judgment is not confined to Jerusalem.
interpretation After the fall: responsibility and restoration
Ezekiel 33:1–39:29FocusShepherding, cleansing, and renewed life
Connection to the wholeThe messages turn toward restoration while preserving individual responsibility and the LORD's judgment against hostile powers.
interpretation The vision of temple and land
Ezekiel 40:1–48:35FocusOrdered worship and the LORD's presence
Connection to the wholeThe final vision describes the temple, worship, life-giving waters, and the land. Its interpretation should be distinguished from what the vision itself depicts.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.