Prophecy against Egypt
With the exception of the passage ch. Ezekiel 29:17-21 the prophecies against Egypt belong to a time shortly anterior to the fall of Jerusalem or shortly after it. Ch. 29 is dated about seven months before the capture of the city; ch. Ezekiel 30:20 seq. about four months, and ch. 31 about two months before that event, while ch. 32 falls somewhat more than a year and a half later than the destruction. The active participation of Egypt in the affairs of Israel all this time, the hopes reposed in her by the people (Lamentations 4:17), and the disappointments caused by her, explain the large space devoted by the prophet to her character and her destinies in the purposes of Jehovah.
The general thought prevailing in the prophecy is the same as that in other parts of Ezekiel's book, viz. that Jehovah, God of Israel, is the one true God, and that all the movements among the nations, the overthrow of some and the triumphs of others, are his operations, and that they are but parts of a general rule and direction of the world, the design of which is to make himself known to all the nations as the one living and true God. The two sins for which Egypt, represented by Pharaoh, is chastised are, first, pride of heart which recognizes no God above it, which says, My River is mine, I have made it (Ezekiel 29:3); and second, the deceptive fascination which the imposing and pretentious power of the Nile valley exerted on the people of God, seducing them away from trust in Jehovah alone (cf. Isaiah 30:1-5; Isaiah 31:1-3), and proving always a delusive support (Ezekiel 29:6-7). This reed which, so far from supporting, pierced the hand that leant on it, must be broken for ever, that in the future (the new age about to dawn) the people of Jehovah may no more be tempted to trust in it.
Egypt, however, is a different kind of power both from the petty peoples like Edom and Moab, and from Tyre the great commercial mart of the nations. The smaller nations suffer because of their despite against Israel, and in suffering they learn what Jehovah is. Tyre did not affect to be a conqueror. She was the lady at whose feet the nations laid their tribute of precious ores and jewels, rich cloths and sweet perfumes. The prince of Tyre prided himself upon his wisdom, his skill in seamanship and commerce, his brilliant ingenuity in the arts, and on his beauty and splendour. The sin of Tyre was this ungodly pride of mind, and this wholly secular devotion to trade. But Egypt is a world power. It rules nations (Ezekiel 29:15). It is a great cedar, envied by the trees in the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:9), in the branches of which all the fowls of heaven nest, and under the shadow of which all the beasts of the field bring forth (Ezekiel 31:6). It aspires to universal dominion. Hence in treating of it the prophet's mind takes a wider sweep. He thinks of Jehovah as God over all, and of his operations as embracing the world. The judgment of Egypt is the day of the Lord (Ezekiel 30:3); it is the time of the Gentiles. Hence its overthrow is felt over the world (Ezekiel 32:10). Creation shudders; the waters stand motionless (Ezekiel 31:15). Jehovah is known to the ends of the earth (Ezekiel 30:19; Ezekiel 30:26).
Each of the four Chapter s is formed in the main upon the same model, containing first, a general threat of destruction upon Egypt, represented by the Pharaoh, under some allegorical designation (e.g. the crocodile); secondly, a more particular detail of the instrument whom Jehovah shall use (the king of Babylon), the destruction of the country and the dispersion of its inhabitants; to which, thirdly, in several of the Chapter s a description is added of the effect on the nations and all creation which these terrible convulsions shall produce. These events shall be done on the stage of the world, with mankind as spectators; Jehovah shall brandish his sword in the eyes of the nations, and nature and men will shudder (Ezekiel 32:10). Ch. 32 ends with a dirge chanted over the interment of Pharaoh, which is one of the most weird passages in literature.
Ch. 29 General threat of Judgment on Pharaoh and his people
(1) Ezekiel 29:1. Pharaoh is presented under the allegory of a great crocodile inhabiting the waters of the land, and the population as fishes. Jehovah with his hook shall draw him out of his waters, with his fishes cleaving to his scales, and shall cast his carcase upon the desert, where the fowls and the beasts shall batten on him. The causes of this judgment on Pharaoh and his people are, his ungodly pride (Ezekiel 29:3), and the fact that he has always proved a delusive confidence to Israel, seducing them from their single trust in Jehovah (Ezekiel 29:6).
(2) Ezekiel 29:8. Explanation of the allegory. A great conqueror, stirred up by Jehovah, will overthrow Pharaoh, destroy his people and desolate his land. The inhabitants shall be scattered into all countries, and Egypt shall remain utterly desolate, trodden by the foot neither of man nor beast, for the space of forty years.
(3) Ezekiel 29:13. At the end of forty years Egypt shall be restored, but only to attain the rank of a mean power, meaner than all the kingdoms of the earth. It shall no more rule over nations, and no more from its imposing greatness be a temptation to the people of Jehovah to put their trust in it. The term of forty years is considered by the prophet the time of Chaldean supremacy. At the end of this period the world shall be revolutionised.
(4) Ezekiel 29:17. A passage of date 570 b.c., probably inserted after the prophecies against Egypt had been reduced to writing hardly after the book had been published and suggested by the termination of Nebuchadnezzar's thirteen years" siege of Tyre. It consists of a promise to Nebuchadnezzar that Egypt shall be given him as a recompense for the service which he served in Jehovah's behalf against Tyre, for which service he failed at Tyre to obtain the adequate reward.