What does Ezekiel 29:16 mean?
"And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 29:16
Ezekiel 29:16 in the King James Version reads:
"And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
This verse comes within the context of Ezekiel’s prophecy against Egypt. The entire chapter of Ezekiel 29 is a declaration of judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt, as well as a promise of restoration for Egypt in the future. In verses 14-16, Ezekiel prophesies that Egypt will be desolate and without inhabitants for 40 years, after which time the people will return to Egypt. It is within this context that Ezekiel 29:16 appears, as a proclamation of the end of Egypt’s importance and influence over the nation of Israel.
The phrase “confidence of the house of Israel” in this verse demonstrates the reliance and trust Israel had placed in Egypt for support and protection. Throughout the history of Israel, they had sought political and military alliances with Egypt, often turning to them for help in times of trouble, rather than relying on God. By saying that Egypt will no longer be the confidence of Israel, God is expressing His sovereign power and authority over the nations. He is reminding Israel that their ultimate trust and security should always be in Him and Him alone.
The phrase “which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance” in this verse denotes the sinful reliance of Israel on Egypt. In trusting in foreign nations rather than in God, Israel has demonstrated their disobedience and lack of faith. The dependence on Egypt for security and support was ultimately a reminder of Israel’s faithlessness and sin. However, with the removal of Egypt as a source of confidence, Israel would be forced to turn back to the Lord and recognize His authority and power.
The latter part of the verse, “but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD,” emphasizes the central theme of Ezekiel’s prophecy – the revelation of God’s sovereignty and glory over all nations. Despite the judgment pronounced on Egypt, the purpose is not only to punish but also to reveal the power and authority of the Lord. God declares that He will make Himself known to the nations, including Israel, so that they will recognize Him as the one true God. This reaffirms the divine purpose of judgment – not simply as punishment, but as a means of restoration and revelation of God’s glory.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between the confidence in Egypt and the acknowledgment of God. Egypt represents the world and its ways, including the temptation to rely on human strength and wisdom rather than trusting in God. The removal of Egypt as a source of confidence signifies the need for Israel to turn back to the Lord and place their trust in Him alone. This theme reverberates throughout the Bible, as it is a constant struggle for humanity to put their faith in God rather than in earthly powers.
Overall, Ezekiel 29:16 serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over the nations and the importance of placing one’s trust in Him. It’s a declaration of judgment against the sinful reliance on foreign powers and a call to return to God as the ultimate source of security and hope. It speaks to the timeless struggle of humanity to put their faith in God alone and serves as a powerful reminder of His ultimate authority and power.
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Ezekiel 29:16 Artwork
Ezekiel 29:16 - "And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
"And it shall be no more the confidence of the house of Israel, which bringeth their iniquity to remembrance, when they shall look after them: but they shall know that I am the Lord GOD." - Ezekiel 29:16
Ezekiel 16:29 - "Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith."
"Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith." - Ezekiel 16:29
Genesis 29:16-35
Ezekiel 29:1 - "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Proverbs 16:29 - "A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good."
Ezekiel 44:29 - "They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be their's."
Proverbs 29:16 - "When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall."
Ezekiel 48:29 - "This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD."
Genesis 29:16 - "And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel."
Ezekiel 29:14 - "And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom."
Ezekiel 16:35 - "¶ Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:"
Job 29:16 - "I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out."
Ezekiel 29:6 - "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."
Ezekiel 29:2 - "Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:"
Acts 16:29 - "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,"
Ezekiel 20:29 - "Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day."
Ezekiel 29:17 - "¶ And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 29:11 - "No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years."
Ezekiel 36:29 - "I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you."
Ezekiel 16:2 - "Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,"
Ezekiel 36:16 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 16:1 - "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Luke 16:29 - "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."
Ezekiel 27:29 - "And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;"
Ezekiel 29:13 - "¶ Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:"
Ezekiel 18:29 - "Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?"
Ezekiel 22:29 - "The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully."
Ezekiel 34:29 - "And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more."