Ezekiel 30:17

“The young men of Aven and of Pi-beseth shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity.”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, and the prophet Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. The book contains a series of prophecies concerning the judgment of various nations, including Egypt. In Ezekiel 30, the prophet declares God’s judgment against Egypt and its allies.

Aven and Pi-beseth:Aven and Pi-beseth were cities in Egypt. Aven, also known as On or Heliopolis, was a prominent city associated with the worship of the sun god Ra. Pi-beseth, also known as Bubastis, was a city dedicated to the worship of the cat goddess Bastet. These cities were centres of idolatry and false worship.

The judgment:In this verse, Ezekiel prophesies that the young men of Aven and Pi-beseth would fall by the sword, indicating that they would die in battle. The phrase “these cities shall go into captivity” suggests that the cities themselves would be conquered and taken into captivity by a foreign power.

Spiritual significance:The judgment pronounced against Aven and Pi-beseth illustrates God’s righteousness and his intolerance of idolatry and false worship. Throughout the Bible, God consistently condemns the worship of false gods and the rejection of his commandments. The destruction and captivity of these cities serve as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from the true God and pursuing idolatry.