Ezekiel 17:15
New International Version
But the king rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt to get horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the treaty and yet escape?

New Living Translation
“Nevertheless, this man of Israel’s royal family rebelled against Babylon, sending ambassadors to Egypt to request a great army and many horses. Can Israel break her sworn treaties like that and get away with it?

English Standard Version
But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?

Berean Standard Bible
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’

King James Bible
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

New King James Version
But he rebelled against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still be delivered?

New American Standard Bible
But he revolted against him by sending his messengers to Egypt so that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does these things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?

NASB 1995
‘But he rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?

NASB 1977
‘But he rebelled against him by sending his envoys to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?

Legacy Standard Bible
But he rebelled against him by sending his messengers to Egypt that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant and escape?

Amplified Bible
But Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so that they might give him horses and many troops. Will he succeed? Will he who does such things escape? Can he indeed break the covenant [with Babylon] and [still] escape?

Christian Standard Bible
However, this king revolted against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so they might give him horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still escape?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, this king revolted against him by sending his ambassadors to Egypt so they might give him horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and still escape?”

American Standard Version
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

Contemporary English Version
But this new king of Judah later rebelled against Babylonia and sent officials to Egypt to get horses and troops. Will this king be successful in breaking the treaty with Babylonia? Or will he be punished for what he's done?

English Revised Version
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the king of Judah rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his messengers to Egypt to get horses and many soldiers. Will the king of Judah succeed? Will anyone who does such things escape? He can't break a treaty and go unpunished.

Good News Translation
But the king of Judah rebelled and sent agents to Egypt to get horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Can he get away with that? He cannot break the treaty and go unpunished!

International Standard Version
But he rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his messengers to Egypt to obtain horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Or will the one who did this escape? Will he break the covenant, but still be delivered?'"

Majority Standard Bible
But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’

NET Bible
But this one from Israel's royal family rebelled against the king of Babylon by sending his emissaries to Egypt to obtain horses and a large army. Will he prosper? Will the one doing these things escape? Can he break the covenant and escape?

New Heart English Bible
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Shall he prosper? Shall he escape who does such things? Shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

Webster's Bible Translation
But he rebelled against him in sending his embassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

World English Bible
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he rebels against him, "" To send his messengers to Egypt, "" To give to him horses, and many people, "" Does he prosper? Does he who is doing these things escape? And has he broken covenant and escaped?

Young's Literal Translation
And he rebelleth against him, To send his messengers to Egypt, To give to him horses, and much people, Doth he prosper? doth he escape who is doing these things? And hath he broken covenant and escaped?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will rebel against him to send his messengers to Egypt, to give to him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he doing these, escape? and breaking the covenant, and escaping?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he hath revolted from him and sent ambassadors to Egypt, that it might give him horses, and much people. And shall he that hath done thus prosper, or be saved? and shall he escape that hath broken the covenant?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, withdrawing from him, he sent messengers to Egypt, so that it would give him horses and many people. Should he who has done these things prosper and obtain safety? And should he who has broken the pact go free?

New American Bible
But this one rebelled against him by sending envoys to Egypt To obtain horses and a mighty army. Can he thrive? Can he escape if he does this? Can he break a covenant and go free?

New Revised Standard Version
But he rebelled against him by sending ambassadors to Egypt, in order that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he succeed? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he shall revolt against the king of Babylon, and shall send his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. But he who does such things shall not prosper, nor shall he be delivered.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he shall rebel against him and he shall send his Ambassadors to Egypt that they would give him horses and many people. He will not prosper and he will not be saved, he who does thus
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? shall he break the covenant, and yet escape?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if he shall revolt from him, to send his messengers into Egypt, that they may give him horses and much people; shall he prosper? shall he that acts as an adversary be preserved? and shall he that transgresses the covenant be preserved?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable Explained
14so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. 15But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ 16‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke.…

Cross References
2 Kings 24:20
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 37:5-7
Pharaoh’s army had left Egypt, and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard the report, they withdrew from Jerusalem. / Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet: / “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says that you are to tell the king of Judah, who sent you to Me: Behold, Pharaoh’s army, which has marched out to help you, will go back to its own land of Egypt.

Jeremiah 52:3
For because of the anger of the LORD, all this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, until He finally banished them from His presence. And Zedekiah also rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Isaiah 30:1-3
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Hosea 7:11-13
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria. / As they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air. I will chastise them when I hear them flocking together. / Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, they speak lies against Me.

Jeremiah 2:18
Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

Jeremiah 2:36-37
How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. / Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”

Jeremiah 42:13-17
But if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’ and you thus disobey the voice of the LORD your God, / and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’ / then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there, ...

Jeremiah 43:7
So they entered the land of Egypt because they did not obey the voice of the LORD, and they went as far as Tahpanhes.

Jeremiah 44:12-14
And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach. / I will punish those who live in the land of Egypt, just as I punished Jerusalem, by sword and famine and plague, / so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”

Isaiah 36:6
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

2 Kings 18:21
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!


Treasury of Scripture

But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that does such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?

he rebelled

Ezekiel 17:7
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.

2 Kings 24:20
For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

2 Chronicles 36:13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel.

in

Deuteronomy 17:16
But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Isaiah 30:1-4
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: …

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! …

Shall he prosper

Ezekiel 17:9
Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.

Deuteronomy 29:12-15
That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the LORD thy God, and into his oath, which the LORD thy God maketh with thee this day: …

Jeremiah 22:29,30
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD…

shall he escape

Ezekiel 17:18
Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.

Ezekiel 21:25
And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end,

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

or shall

Psalm 55:23
But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Jump to Previous
Ambassadors Army Authority Break Covenant Delivered Egypt Embassadors Envoys Escape Great Horses Large Prosper Rebelled Representatives Sending Succeed Troops
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Ambassadors Army Authority Break Covenant Delivered Egypt Embassadors Envoys Escape Great Horses Large Prosper Rebelled Representatives Sending Succeed Troops
Ezekiel 17
1. Under the parable of two eagles and a vine
11. is shown God's judgment upon Jerusalem for revolting from Babylon to Egypt
22. God promises to plant the cedar of the Gospel














But he rebelled against him
This phrase refers to Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, who rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. The Hebrew root for "rebelled" is "מָרַד" (marad), which conveys a sense of defiance and disobedience. Historically, this rebellion was a significant event, as it led to the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Zedekiah's rebellion was not just a political act but a spiritual one, as it represented a failure to trust in God's sovereignty and a breach of the covenant made with Babylon under God's allowance.

sending his envoys to Egypt
Zedekiah's decision to send envoys to Egypt for military assistance highlights a reliance on human alliances rather than on God. The historical context here is crucial; Egypt was a powerful nation, often seen as a potential ally against Babylonian dominance. However, this move was contrary to God's instructions through the prophets, who warned against seeking help from Egypt. The Hebrew word for "envoys" is "מַלְאָכִים" (mal'akhim), which can also mean "messengers," indicating an official diplomatic mission.

to obtain horses and a great army
The desire to obtain "horses and a great army" underscores a dependence on military might rather than divine protection. In the ancient Near East, horses were symbols of strength and military power. The Hebrew word for "horses" is "סוּסִים" (susim), and it often appears in contexts where trust in military power is contrasted with trust in God. This phrase serves as a reminder of the futility of relying on worldly power when God has not sanctioned such alliances.

Will he prosper?
This rhetorical question challenges the wisdom of Zedekiah's actions. The Hebrew root for "prosper" is "צָלַח" (tsalach), which means to succeed or thrive. The question implies that true prosperity and success come from obedience to God, not from political maneuvering or military alliances. It invites reflection on the nature of true success, which, from a biblical perspective, is aligned with God's will and purposes.

Will he who does such things escape?
This phrase emphasizes the inevitability of divine justice. The Hebrew root for "escape" is "מָלַט" (malat), suggesting deliverance or being spared. The rhetorical nature of the question implies that Zedekiah's actions will not go unpunished. It serves as a warning that rebellion against God's ordained order and reliance on human strength will lead to consequences.

Can he break a covenant and yet escape?
The concept of "covenant" is central to biblical theology. The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit), signifying a solemn agreement or promise. Zedekiah's breaking of the covenant with Babylon, which was made under God's allowance, is symbolic of breaking faith with God Himself. This phrase underscores the seriousness of covenant-breaking and the certainty of accountability before God. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness and integrity in our commitments, both to God and to others.

(15) Shall he escape that doeth such things?--The faithlessness of Zedekiah and his court to his own sworn covenant was an act, in addition to all his other wickedness, especially abominable to God. The sanctity of an oath had always been most strongly insisted upon in Israelitish history. It must be remembered that even when, as in the case of the Gibeonites (Joshua , 9), the oath had been obtained by fraud, and centuries had passed since it was given, God yet sorely punished the land for its violation (2Samuel 21:1-2); and in this case the king had been more than once Divinely warned through the prophet Jeremiah of the danger of his treachery. As Zedekiah's intrigues with Egypt were just now going on, it was particularly important that they should be exposed, and their result foretold to the captives who were yet trusting in the safety of Jerusalem.

Verse 15. - That they might give him horses. The "chariots and horses" of Egypt seem, throughout its whole history, to have been its chief element of strength. See for the time of Moses (Exodus 14:7), of Solomon (1 Kings 10:28, 29), of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:3), of Hezekiah (Isaiah 31:1: 36:9). Shall he prosper? What had been asked in the parable is asked also, in identical terms, in the interpretation. Ezekiel presses home the charge of perfidy as well as rebellion. Like Jeremiah, he looks on Nebuchadnezzar as reigning by a Divine right.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But this [king] rebelled
וַיִּמְרָד־ (way·yim·rāḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4775: To rebel

against [Babylon]
בּ֗וֹ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

by sending
לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ (liš·lō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his envoys
מַלְאָכָיו֙ (mal·’ā·ḵāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to Egypt
מִצְרַ֔יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

to ask for
לָֽתֶת־ (lā·ṯeṯ-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

horses
סוּסִ֖ים (sū·sîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

and a large
רָ֑ב (rāḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

army.
וְעַם־ (wə·‘am-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Will he flourish?
הֲיִצְלָ֤ח (hă·yiṣ·lāḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6743: To push forward

Will the one who does
הָעֹשֵׂ֣ה (hā·‘ō·śêh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

such
אֵ֔לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

things escape?
הֲיִמָּלֵט֙ (hă·yim·mā·lêṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks

Can he break
וְהֵפֵ֥ר (wə·hê·p̄êr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

a covenant
בְּרִ֖ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

and yet escape?’
וְנִמְלָֽט׃ (wə·nim·lāṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4422: To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparks


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 17:15 But he rebelled against him in sending (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 17:14
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