Ezekiel 29:6
New International Version
Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the LORD. “’You have been a staff of reed for the people of Israel.

New Living Translation
All the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, for to Israel you were just a staff made of reeds.

English Standard Version
Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD. “Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel,

Berean Standard Bible
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.

King James Bible
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

New King James Version
“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt Shall know that I am the LORD, Because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, Because they have been only a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

NASB 1995
“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, Because they have been only a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

NASB 1977
“Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, Because they have been only a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh Because they have been only a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

Amplified Bible
“And all the inhabitants of Egypt will know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD, Because they have been [only] a staff made of [fragile] reeds to the house of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
“ ‘Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, for they have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, for they have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

American Standard Version
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am Jehovah, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Then everyone in Egypt will know that I am the LORD. You and your nation refused to help the people of Israel and were nothing more than a broken stick.

English Revised Version
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then all those living in Egypt will know that I am the LORD. Egypt, you have become like a [broken] walking stick to the nation of Israel.

Good News Translation
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD." The LORD says, "The Israelites relied on you Egyptians for support, but you were no better than a weak stick.

International Standard Version
Then everyone living in Egypt will know that I am the LORD, because they have been an unreliable ally to the house of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.

NET Bible
Then all those living in Egypt will know that I am the LORD because they were a reed staff for the house of Israel;

New Heart English Bible
All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

World English Bible
“‘“All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Yahweh, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all inhabitants of Egypt have known "" That I [am] YHWH, "" Because of their being a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And known have all inhabitants of Egypt That I am Jehovah, Because of their being a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am Jehovah, because they were a support of reed to the house of Israel:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord: because thou hast been a staff of a reed to the house of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord. For you have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.

New American Bible
Then all the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. Because you were a staff of reeds for the house of Israel:

New Revised Standard Version
Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD because you were a staff of reed to the house of Israel;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH, for you have been as a staff of reed to those of the house of Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know That I am the LORD, Because they have been a staff of reed To the house of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the dwellers in Egypt shall know that I am the Lord, because thou hast been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment Against Pharaoh
5I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air. 6Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel. 7When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.…

Cross References
Isaiah 30:2-3
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.

Jeremiah 46:25-26
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. / I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives—of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 31:1-3
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. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

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.

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?

Isaiah 20:5-6
Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. / And on that day the dwellers of this coastland will say, ‘See what has happened to our source of hope, those to whom we fled for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?’”

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.

Hosea 7:11
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

Lamentations 4:17
All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us.

Isaiah 19:4
I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of a harsh master, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

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.

Isaiah 19:11-13
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? / Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. / The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

2 Chronicles 28:16-21
At that time King Ahaz sent for help from the king of Assyria. / The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away captives. / The Philistines had also raided the cities of the foothills and the Negev of Judah, capturing and occupying Beth-shemesh, Aijalon, and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah, and Gimzo with their villages. ...

Isaiah 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.


Treasury of Scripture

And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

know

Ezekiel 28:22-24,26
And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her…

Exodus 9:14
For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth.

Exodus 14:18
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

a staff

2 Kings 18:21
Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

Isaiah 20:5,6
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory…

Isaiah 30:2-7
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! …

Jump to Previous
Children Clear Egypt House Inhabitants Israel Live Reed Staff Support
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Children Clear Egypt House Inhabitants Israel Live Reed Staff Support
Ezekiel 29
1. The judgment of Pharaoh for his treachery to Israel
8. The desolation of Egypt
13. The restoration thereof after forty years
17. Egypt the reward of Nebuchadnezzar
21. Israel shall be restored














Then all the inhabitants of Egypt
This phrase sets the stage for the prophecy's scope, indicating that the message is directed towards the entire population of Egypt. The Hebrew word for "inhabitants" is "יֹשְׁבֵי" (yoshev), which implies those who dwell or reside in a place. Historically, Egypt was a significant power in the ancient Near East, known for its rich culture and influence. The mention of "all the inhabitants" underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting every level of society, from the common people to the ruling elite.

will know
The Hebrew word used here is "יָדַע" (yada), which means to know, perceive, or understand. In the biblical context, this knowledge often goes beyond intellectual understanding to include experiential recognition of God's power and sovereignty. The phrase suggests a future realization or acknowledgment by the Egyptians of God's authority, often following a demonstration of His power through judgment or deliverance.

that I am the LORD
This declaration is a central theme throughout the book of Ezekiel. The name "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. The phrase "I am the LORD" is a powerful assertion of God's identity and His unique position as the one true God. It serves as a reminder of His ultimate authority and the futility of relying on other gods or powers.

Because you have been a staff of reed
The imagery of a "staff of reed" is significant. In the ancient world, a staff symbolized support and stability. However, a reed is fragile and unreliable, easily broken under pressure. This metaphor highlights Egypt's unreliability as an ally or source of support. Historically, Egypt often played a duplicitous role in its alliances, particularly with Israel and Judah, promising aid but failing to deliver in times of need.

to the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen nation. Throughout their history, Israel often looked to Egypt for military and political support, especially during times of threat from other empires like Assyria and Babylon. This reliance on Egypt, rather than trusting in God, was a recurring issue that led to divine rebuke. The phrase serves as a reminder of the consequences of misplaced trust and the importance of relying on God alone.

(6) A staff of reed.--In Isaiah 36:6 the dependence of Judah upon Egypt is described as trust "in the staff of this broken reed;" but notwithstanding all warnings, they still trusted, especially at the time of this prophecy, and proved in their experience the truth of the Divine word. The figure is taken from the reeds, which grew abundantly on the banks of the Nile, and the statement is historically amplified in the following verse, where the reference is to be understood not of any single fact so much as of a continual, often repeated result. There should be a period in the middle of Ezekiel 29:6, the first half forming the conclusion of the previous denunciation, and the second half being closely connected with Ezekiel 29:7-9. Ezekiel 29:7 is parenthetical.

Verse 6. - A staff of reed unto the house of Israel. Ezekiel reproduces the familiar image of 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6. The proverb had not ceased to be true, though the rulers were different. Here, again, the imagery is strictly local. The reeds were as characteristic of the Nile as the crocodiles (Exodus 1:3; Job 40:21). The image of the reed is continued in Ver. 7, and the effect of trusting to its support is described in detail.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of 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

will know
וְיָֽדְעוּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֖י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

For
יַ֧עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

you were only
הֱיוֹתָ֛ם (hĕ·yō·w·ṯām)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a staff
מִשְׁעֶ֥נֶת (miš·‘e·neṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4938: Support, sustenance, a walking-stick

of reeds
קָנֶ֖ה (qā·neh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

to the house
לְבֵ֥ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 29:6 All the inhabitants of Egypt will know (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 29:5
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