Ezekiel 30:22, commentary and pictures

Ezekiel 30:22 belongs to the prophecies against Egypt in Ezekiel 29-32, which stand together with the prophecies against Ammon, Moab, Tyre and other nations in Ezekiel 25-31, declaring the certain fate to come upon Pharaoh and his host. At that time Egypt was one of the greatest kingdoms and at one time the greatest empire on earth, and it was struggling with Babylon for supremacy. In the verse God declares Himself against Pharaoh king of Egypt and will break both his strong arm and the arm that is already broken, causing the sword to fall from his hand and taking away his power to wield it.

The judgment also includes the destruction of its idols and the desolation of its cities, bringing down Egypt's pride from glory and wealth to dishonor and poverty as the consequence of devotion to idols. Egypt, a former oppressor of God's people and the symbol of black infidelity, would be humbled to become the basest of the kingdoms, brought low and abased to end its power to rule over other nations and never to rise again among the nations. The announced judgment would be carried out by Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, invading and subduing Egypt.

The predictions were literally fulfilled, with a fulfilment described as evident today. The word against Pharaoh was spoken to Israel during twenty-two years of pleading for them to turn to God, as one illustration from the kingdoms around Israel of how God deals with pride, and like the other prophecies in the book its outcome rests on the universal conditions of response. The prophecy concerning Egypt was also held to be fulfilled through England taking complete control of Egypt.