Ezekiel 30:16

And I will set fire in Egypt, Sin shall haue great paine, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall haue distresses daily. Ezekiel 30:16 (KJV)

Ezekiel 30:16 forms part of a larger prophecy in which the Lord announces judgment against Egypt. The verse declares that God will kindle a fire in Egypt, bringing great distress to its cities. This declaration follows a series of judgments pronounced in the preceding verses for Egypt’s pride, idolatry, and opposition to God’s people.

Ezekiel was an Old Testament prophet who ministered to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BCE. At that time Egypt was a powerful nation that many Israelites, including Ezekiel himself, looked to for help and protection against their enemies. The historical reality, however, showed Egypt to be an unreliable ally that could not provide the security the Israelites sought.

The verse specifically mentions three Egyptian cities—Sin, No, and Noph—identified in many translations with Pelusium, Thebes, and Memphis respectively. Sin (Pelusium) is described as being in great pain. Pelusium was a fortified city on Egypt’s eastern border, and the language suggests it would suffer through warfare, invasion, or other calamities. No (Thebes) is said to be rent asunder, implying severe destruction or division, possibly the result of military conquest or internal conflict. Noph (Memphis) is said to have daily distresses, indicating a prolonged period of hardship and instability for the ancient capital and cultural center.

In summary, Ezekiel 30:16 highlights the impending destruction, pain, division, and ongoing hardship that would befall these major Egyptian cities. The purpose of the prophecy is to convey God’s sovereignty over the nations and to call them, including Egypt, to repentance. While the judgment was directed toward ancient Egypt, the passage serves as a timeless reminder of God’s authority over all nations and His ability to bring judgment upon those who rebel against Him. The historical significance of the prophecy enriches our understanding of God’s consistent character throughout Scripture.