[1] The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Woe worth the day! [3] For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. [4] And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. [5] Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Howl ye, Woe worth the day! | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| To whom did "The word of the LORD" come? | "Unto me [Ezekiel]" |
| Was this the first time this happened? | No. "Came again unto me." |
| By what designation does the LORD call Ezekiel, and what does this indicate to us? | "Son of man" – It refers to Pastor Russell, apparently indicating this message will not truly apply prior to his ministry as the seventh messenger. |
| Do these first two verses tell us who the prophecy is directed at? | No. | "Wail out loud! Oh no! The day!" – ISV "Howl ye, Alas for the day!" – Darby, Roth "Wail, ‘Alas for the day!" – ESV, LEB "Howl ye, Woe worth the day!" – MKJV |
| What do we learn about this prophecy? | Sounds like a "day" that will cause pain, fear, etc. |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Is this prophecy time oriented? | Yes. We are told "the day is near." |
| "Near" to when. How can we narrow this down? | Since this is directed to "Son of man" we may reasonably deduce this is focused on the time of Pastor Russell's ministry. |
| Specifically, what "day" is it? | It is "the day of the LORD." |
| What is the weather like on this day? | "Cloudy." |
| Is this Israel's time? | "It shall be the time of the heathen [gentiles]" |
Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is pictured by "the sword?" | From a literal standpoint the sword is a deadly weapon used primarily for attack. From the symbolic standpoint it most often is used to picture "the word of God." Heb. 4:12 |
| According to verse 4, upon whom does this "sword" come directly upon? | Egypt. In the symbolic sense, the world under the rule of Satan. |
| What takes place in Ethiopia? | They shall have "great pain." |
| When does this happen to Ethiopia? | "When the slain shall fall in Egypt." |
| What is indicated by "the slain" falling in Egypt? | To be slain means, among other things, to be ostracized. While it might indicate literal slaying, it more often indicates loss of reputation, standing, societal shaming, etc. |
| What else happens to Egypt at the time of Ethiopia's "great pain?" | The above mentioned "slain" in Egypt (the world) "fall." We suggest their "fall" was from how the common people viewed them, no longer as authorities in connection with how the world was to be governed (often in connection with the religious element of society.) This might be evidenced by the eventual outbreak of WWI and the Russian revolution. |
| Why Ethiopia? | While Br. Fisher was projecting forward (what he wrote was published in 1917, before some of the events took place) his suggestion here appears to be worth a look: The weapons of anarchy and the Sword of the Spirit shall come against worldly Christendom. Great distress shall be upon non-church members (Ethiopia, black) socialists, laborites and revolutionists, when Christendom's slain shall fall literally and spiritually, when her multitude shall abandon her, and when her foundations – social, economic, moral and religious – shall be broken down in war, revolution and anarchy. FM507 |
| What happens to Egypt's "multitude?" | "They shall take away her multitude." In comparing various translations, "they" is merely implied. It appears that this verse is better when using the DRB: "the multitude thereof shall be taken away." We are not told directly who does this carrying off. Some translations indicate her "wealth" or "abundance" instead of "multitude." |
| "Her foundations shall be broken down." What are Egypt's "foundations" and how are they "broken down?" | Suggested answer: Throughout history men have believed that there was some kind of supernatural power ruling over them. God, Zeus, the god of this world, the gods, etc. (See Acts 19:23-41) In each of these cases the apparent thought is that man needs to obey this supernatural power. In Christendom this manifested itself by church-state union. This expression seems to indicate that the world (Egypt) would move away from this societal foundation and more in the direction of agnosticism or even atheism. agnosticism "The view that any ultimate reality (such as a deity) is unknown and probably unknowable : a philosophical or religious position characterized by uncertainty about the existence of a god or any gods." – Webster |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
 This image was found at https://worldeventsandthebible.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/The-Persian-Empire.jpg (Jan. 2025) |
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| Who or what is "Chub?" | Strong's H3552 This is the only place in the Bible where this is found. Anything added may seem like mere speculation.כּוּב kûb koob Of foreign derivation; Kub, a country near Egypt: - Chub. Total KJV occurrences: 1 |
| What is the connection between Ethiopia, Libya and Lydia? | They all appear to be in league with Egypt. Ethiopia is to the South, Libya is to the West and Lydia is to the North (roughly modern day Turkey.) Lydia is the location of the 7 cities in Rev. chapters 2 and 3 (Ephesus, Smyrna.. Laodicea.) |
| What is indicated by "all the mingled people?" | It seems to describe what people used to say about the United States: "a melting pot." |
| What happens to them? | They "fall with them by the sword." |
| What does that mean? | In the literal sense it indicates war. In the symbolic sense it indicates Truth on various fronts. Scientific truth, religious and societal truths, etc. – 1 Cor. 4:5 |
[6] Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. [7] And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted. [8] And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. [9] In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh.
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus saith the LORD; They also that uphold Egypt shall fall; and the pride of her power shall come down: from the tower of Syene shall they fall in it by the sword, saith the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who is pictured by Egypt? | The world of mankind. |
| What does it mean to "uphold Egypt?" | To uphold the world and its ways. Thus they tend to praise its leaders and its heroes. |
| What happens to those who do "uphold Egypt?" | "They ... shall fall." |
| What is indicated by "the pride of her power?" | The world often takes pride in their nation, even those that oppress them. Consider, for example, the kingdoms of Europe prior to WWI. |
| What happens to "the pride of her power?" | "The pride of her power shall come down." |
| What was "the tower of Syene" and what does that picture? | The tower of Syene was the southern-most watch tower of Egypt. It looked southward towards Ethiopia. It was located near the present day city of Aswan. |
| Why "From the tower of Syene?" | |
| "They shall fall in it.." | What is "it?" |
| By what means do they so fall? | "By the sword." |
| How certain are we that this must take place? | "Thus saith the LORD." |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are wasted. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "They shall be desolate.." Who is referred to as "they?" | From the previous verse, "they that uphold Egypt." |
| What do we learn from this statement: "They shall be desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate?" | That those who uphold Egypt (the world) will find themselves "desolate," and they will not be alone as there will be other countries that are also "desolate." |
| What does it mean to be "desolate?" | Consider the following verses to see if there is a pattern emerges that answers this question: Isa. 5:9; 6:11; Jer. 4:7; 9:11; 26:9; 33:10; 46:19; Zeph. 3:6. |
| Is there a difference between "countries" and "cities?" | Strong's H776 We often hear the phrase "Erets Israel," the land of Israel.אֶרֶץ 'erets eh'-rets From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world. Total KJV occurrences: 2505 Strong's H5892 In bible symbology a city represents a government. By referring to a city within a country, the Lord may be differentiating between the government (leaders) and its people.עָיַר עָר עִיר ‛ı̂yr ‛âr ‛âyar eer, awr, aw-yar' From H5782 a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post): - Ai [from margin], city, court [from margin], town. Total KJV occurrences: 1094 |
| What is meant by "the cities that are wasted?" | Strong's H2717 These cities (governments) were indeed in great need of water (truth) but did not drink in those waters. Thus they became "wasted."חָרֵב חָרַב chârab chârêb khaw-rab', khaw-rabe' A primitive root; to parch (through drought), that is, (by analogy) to desolate, destroy, kill: - decay, (be) desolate, destroy (-er), (be) dry (up), slay, X surely, (lay, lie, make) waste. Total KJV occurrences: 40 |
| When was this to take place? | "The day of the LORD." Verse 3. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers shall be destroyed. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who is "they?" | "They... that uphold Egypt." See verse 6. |
| What is it that "they" shall know? | "That I am the LORD." |
| When to "they" know it, and what does that mean? | When – "when I have set a fire in Egypt." Please note: it does not say "When I have completely destroyed Egypt by fire." This seems to strongly indicate that this takes place sometime during the anarchy phase of their destruction (fire) but prior to their complete destruction. For an idea of just how destructive fire can be, consider the fires in Los Angeles – January 2025. |
| What happens to Egypt's helpers and to how many of them does it happen? | "All her helpers shall be destroyed." |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| In that day shall messengers go forth from me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid, and great pain shall come upon them, as in the day of Egypt: for, lo, it cometh. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| When does all this take place? | "In that day." |
| What "day," what does that mean? | The answer is two-fold. 1) It happens "when I have set a fire in Egypt." (vs 8). 2) When found in Old Testament prophecies the phrase "in that day" seems to always refer to "the day of the LORD," i.e., the period from our Lord's return (1874) to the establishment of the New Covenant (usually with a special focus on the 40 year period from 1878 to 1918.) – We also notice that the context (Verse 3) places us in "the day of the LORD." |
| What is pictured by "messengers go forth... in ships?" | In chapter 27 we learned about how the ships of Christendom carried merchandise (of all sorts, teachings, slaves, etc.) throughout the world, all to enrich her. |
| Who sends these "messengers?" | "..shall messengers go forth from me [the LORD.]" |
| What is the purpose of these messengers going forth, and what does that mean? | "To make the careless Ethiopians afraid." |
| What is indicated by the Ethiopians being "careless?" | It indicates they are not paying attention to what the LORD is showing them. They have the example of what historically happens to those who reject the LORD, but they ignore it. |
| Other than fear, what else happens to "the careless Ethiopians?" | "Great pain shall come upon them." |
| What kind of pain, and what does that mean? | The same kind of pain "as in the day of Egypt." This would seem to refer to the day when Egypt failed to heed the word of the LORD delivered by Moses. This resulted in the destruction of their armies and their king (Pharaoh.) |
[10] Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. [11] He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain. [12] And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it.
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "the multitude of Egypt?" | Multitude: Strong's H1995 Basically this seems to picture the wealth of the world (including its people and great variety worldly possessions.)הָמֹן הָמוֹן hâmôn hâmôn haw-mone', haw-mone' From H1993; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth: - abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. Total KJV occurrences: 83 |
| What happens to "the multitude of Egypt?" | The LORD will "make the multitude of Egypt to cease." |
| By what means does the LORD bring this about? | "By the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon." |
| What does that mean? | This is a good place to review what we learned in chapter 29:18-19 about Nebuchadnezzar's relation to the Universal Empires. What this appears to be saying is that the wealth (multitude) of the world (Egypt) will "cease by the hand of" Christendom (pictured by King Nebuchadrezzar.) – Again we need to remember, this is not about the destruction of Christendom, but the destruction of the world (Egypt.) |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "He and his people with him.." Who is "He" and who are "his people?" | "He" is Nebuchadnezzar and his people would refer those who support him, i.e., "the terrible of the nations." |
| Who are "the terrible of the nations?" | These would be the Gentile nations aligned with Christendom. Remember, Nebuchadnezzar is directly associated with the 4 universal empires. Since we have the context as being "The day of the LORD," and the instructions are given (in vs 2) to "son of man," this prophecy is declared during the time when it is both "the day of the LORD" and the "son of man" is on the scene. |
| What are "the terrible of the nations" going to do? | "Destroy the land." |
| Which land? | Egypt. |
| How are they to accomplish this? | "They shall draw their swords against Egypt." |
| Is this literal or symbolic? | Both. |
| What is the result of this action? | They will "fill the land with the slain." |
| What does that mean? | We have all seen images of what this means. Consider the two World Wars. That was literal slain. The symbolical slain are those who have lost reputation, are outcast for their beliefs. These are scoffed at by others. |
| Is this literal or symbolic? | Both. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What happens to the rivers (of Egypt?) | They are made dry. |
| Who does this? | "I will make the rivers dry." - The LORD. |
| "I will... sell the land into the hand of the wicked." In this context, who are "the wicked?" – Remember, this is about Egypt (not Christendom.) | |
| "I will make the land waste." In addition to drying up "the rivers," what else does the LORD do to Egypt? | He makes "the land" waste. Strong's H776 This refers to the physical territory. We often find reference to "eh'-rets Israel," the land of Israel. In this case it is the land of Egypt.אֶרֶץ 'erets eh'-rets From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land): - X common, country, earth, field, ground, land, X nations, way, + wilderness, world. Total KJV occurrences: 2505 Strong's H8074 While this word is here translated "waste." We find this same word (H8047) used in a familiar text: "Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it." Lev. 26:34-35שָׁמֵם shâmêm shaw-mame' A primitive root; to stun (or intransitively grow numb), that is, devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense): - make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish (-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate (-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. Total KJV occurrences: 89 |
| Is this all that the LORD makes waste in Egypt? | No. "I will make the land waste, and all that is therein." |
| How does the LORD bring this about? | "By the hand of strangers." |
| How certain are we that this takes place? | "I the LORD have spoken it." |
[13] Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt. [14] And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No. [15] And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. [16] And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily. [17] The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity. [18] At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. [19] Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What are "the idols?" | Strong's H1544 Considering the law of first mention, the first occurrence of this word is in Lev. 26:30. In verses 27-30 "And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I... will chastise you seven times for your sins... And I will... cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols [H1544], and my soul shall abhor you." The destruction of their idols is in connection with Israel's punishment during "the Times of the Gentiles."גִּלֻּל גִּלּוּל gillûl gillûl ghil-lool', ghil-lool' From H1556; properly a log (as round); by implication an idol: - idol. Total KJV occurrences: 48 In this case it is the destruction of Egypt's (the world's) idols. |
| What are "their images?" | Strong's H457 Consider Isa. 2:8 "Their land also is full of idols [H457]; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made." Their 'idols' are indeed "good for nothing."אֱלִיל 'ĕlı̂yl el-eel' Apparently from H408; good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol: - idol, no value, thing of nought. Total KJV occurrences: 19 |
| What happens to Egypt's idols and images? | They are destroyed and made to cease. |
| Where and of what significance was Noph? | Strong's H5297 Upper Egypt is the territory from around the tower of Syene (near the current city of Aswan and the dam) south to Ethiopia. Lower Egypt is from around Aswan northward to Cairo and the Mediterranean Sea.נֹף nôph nofe A variation of H4644; Noph, the capital of Upper Egypt: - Noph. Total KJV occurrences: 7 |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is the significance of Pathros? | Strong's H6624 Here are the other references to Pathros: Isa. 11:11; Jer. 44:1,15; Eze. 29:14.פַּתְרוֹס pathrôs path-roce' Of Egyptian derivation; Pathros, a part of Egypt: - Pathros. Total KJV occurrences: 5 |
| What about Zoan? | Strong's H6814 Here are the other references to Zoan: Num. 13:22; Psa. 78:12,43; Isa. 19:11,13; 30:4.צֹעַן tsô‛an tso'-an Of Egyptian derivation; Tsoan, a place in Egypt: - Zoan. Total KJV occurrences: 7 |
| What about No? | Strong's H4996 Here are all the references to No: Jer. 46:25; Eze. 30:14,15,16; Nah. 3:8.נֹא nô' no Of Egyptian origin; no (that is, Thebes), the capital of Upper Egypt: - No. Compare H528. Total KJV occurrences: 5 |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will pour my fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What about Sin? | Strong's H5512 Here are all the references to Sin: Exo. 16:1; 17:1; Num. 33:11,12; Eze. 30:15,16.סִין sı̂yn seen Of uncertain derivation; Sin, the name of an Egyptian town and (probably) desert adjoining: - Sin. Total KJV occurrences: 6 |
Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
[20] And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [21] Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. [22] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. [23] And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. [24] And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. [25] But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. [26] And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Verse 20 Expanded Bible Comments
| And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 24 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 25 Expanded Bible Comments
| But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
Verse 26 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |