See in Reader
908 B
Then it happened
This marks the beginning of a new part of the story. The prophecy against Egypt and its king concludes in this chapter. Egypt will have its army destroyed, just as happened to so many other nations. Beginning in verse 1, the land of Egypt is addressed through Pharaoh, its king, so God refers to Egypt as "he" and "him." However, beginning in verse 12, Egypt is referred to as "she" and "her," as if she were a woman. It was common in Hebrew for lands and countries to be referred to as if they were women.
in the twelfth month ... on the first of the month
This is the twelfth and final month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the end of February.
of the twelfth year
"of the twelfth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin"
the word of Yahweh came
"Yahweh spoke this message". This introduces something that God told his prophets or his people. See Ezekiel 3:16.