Ezekiel 29:19

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will giue the land of Egypt vnto Nebuchad-rezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoile, and take her praye, and it shall be the wages for his armie. Ezekiel 29:19 (KJV)

Ezekiel 29:19 is part of a prophecy given by the prophet Ezekiel regarding the judgment and punishment of Egypt. In this verse, the Lord God declares that He will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as compensation for his service. To understand the context of this verse, it is important to know that Egypt had been a long‑standing power in the ancient Near East. However, the nation had been a consistent source of trouble for the people of Israel and Judah. At various times, Egypt had interfered with Israel’s affairs, provided false security, and caused the Israelites to turn away from God.

In this particular prophecy, Ezekiel is addressing Egypt’s pride and arrogance. The previous verses describe Egypt as a great nation that boasted in its own strength and credited the Nile River for its prosperity. However, the Lord declares that He will bring judgment upon Egypt for its pride and arrogance. In verse 19, the Lord states that Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, will be the instrument of His judgment. According to the prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar would take Egypt’s multitude, spoil, and prey as the wages for his army. This verse signifies that Egypt would suffer a significant defeat at the hands of the Babylonians, and its wealth and resources would be seized.

Whether this prophecy was fully fulfilled historically is a matter of scholarly debate. Nebuchadnezzar did launch a military campaign against Egypt around 568 BC, but the expedition did not result in a lasting Babylonian occupation of the country, and the extent of any plunder is uncertain. Egypt’s political power continued to wane in the following centuries, ultimately ending with the Persian conquest in 525 BC.

From a broader theological perspective, this passage serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over the nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes. Even though Nebuchadnezzar was a pagan king, God employed him as an instrument of judgment upon Egypt. It shows that God can work through individuals or nations, whether they acknowledge Him or not, to fulfill His plans.

In summary, Ezekiel 29:19 conveys God’s intention to allow Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, to conquer Egypt as a punishment for its pride and arrogance. The verse highlights the sovereignty of God over the nations and demonstrates how He can utilise them for His purposes.