Ezekiel 29:17 meaning

In this pivotal passage, the prophet Ezekiel delivers a message concerning the fate of Egypt at a crucial time in Israel's history. It is set around 571 B.C., likely as a final warning to the exiles in Babylon, many of whom were clinging to hopes of Egypt as a potential ally against Babylonian oppression. In the backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, God declares that the Egyptians will indeed fall, and this judgment will be executed through Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. This anticipated defeat serves not just as a divine reckoning for Egypt's past arrogance but also a signal for the Israelites to abandon their misplaced reliance on foreign powers.

In this way, Ezekiel's prophecy not only addresses immediate historical circumstances but also emphasizes themes of divine sovereignty and nationalism, reminding readers of the consequences of idolatry and the plight of nations that oppose God’s will.