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Ezekiel 30
Ezekiel 30:1
General Information:
Ezekiel tells about a message that Yahweh gave him.
The word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 30:2
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"
Wail
cry out with grief
Woe is the coming day
This exclamation expresses the fear that people would feel about a certain day when terrible and frightening things will happen. Alternate translation: "Oh that day" or "Oh, what a frightening day is coming" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclamations)
Ezekiel 30:3
The day is near
"That day is soon" or "It will soon be that day"
The day is near for Yahweh
It is implied that on that day, Yahweh will punish people. Alternate translation: "It will soon be the day when Yahweh will punish you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
a day of clouds
Dark storm clouds represent danger and fear. Alternate translation: "It will be like a day with dark clouds" or "It will be frightening like a day with dark clouds" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
a time of doom for nations
The abstract noun "doom" can be translated with the phrase "terrible things will happen." Alternate translation: "a time when terrible things will happen to the nations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Ezekiel 30:4
General Information:
These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
Then a sword will come against Egypt
The word "sword" here represents war or an army that attacks. Alternate translation: "There will be war against Egypt" or "An enemy army will attack Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
there will be anguish in Cush
The abstract noun "anguish" can be expressed in terms of how the people feel. Alternate translation: "the people of Cush will be very sad" or "the people of Cush will suffer" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
when they take her wealth
"when the attackers take away the wealth of Egypt"
when her foundations are ruined
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "when the attackers destroy the foundations of the buildings in Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 30:5
Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, and Libya
These names refer to the people of these countries. Alternate translation: "The people of Cush and Put, Libya, and all Arabia, and Lydia" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Libya
Libya is a country west of Egypt. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Lydia
This probably refers to the kingdom of Lydia which was in what is now Turkey.
will all fall by the sword
Here the sword represents battle. Alternate translation: "will all die in battle" or "will all die in the war" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
will all fall by the sword
The word "all" here is a generalization. It means that many people will die. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Ezekiel 30:6
Yahweh says this
"This is what Yahweh says." This sentence introduces what the Lord would say.
So the ones
"In this way, the peoples" or "In this manner, the nations"
who support Egypt
"who help Egypt"
will fall
"will die" or "come to ruin"
the pride of her strength will go down
This represents Egypt no longer being proud of their strength. The reason that they will not be proud is that they will no longer be strong. Alternate translation: "Egypt will no longer be proud about being strong" or "Egypt will no longer have the strength that they were so proud of" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
From Migdol to Syene
Ezekiel names towns on the borders of Egypt in order to refer to all of Egypt. Alternate translation: "In all of Egypt" or "From the northern border of Egypt to the southern border of Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
this is the Lord Yahweh's declaration
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:11. Alternate translation: "this is what the Lord Yahweh has declared" or "this is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Ezekiel 30:7
They will be appalled in the midst of the abandoned lands
"The soldiers of the allies of Egypt will be appalled when they are left surrounded by nothing but abandoned lands"
in the midst of
"among" or "surrounded by"
their cities will be among all the ruined cities
Being "among" the ruined cities represents being ruined like the ruined cities of other countries. Alternate translation: "their cities will be ruined like the cities of other countries" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 30:8
General Information:
These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
Then they
Possible meanings are 1) "Then people" or 2) "Then the Egyptians."
they will know that I am Yahweh
Yahweh is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See how you translated as similar phrase in Ezekiel 6:7. Alternate translation: "they will understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God" or "they will realize that I, Yahweh, have supreme power and authority" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
when I set fire in Egypt
Here "set fire in Egypt" represents sending an army to attack Egypt and set fires. Alternate translation: "when I send an army to burn Egypt with fire" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
all of her helpers are destroyed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I destroy all of the allies of Egypt" or "when armies destroy all of those who help Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 30:9
messengers will go out from before me in ships to terrorize a secure Cush
Messengers will bring the news of Egypt's destruction to Cush, who will be frightened by the news.
to terrorize a secure Cush
"in order to frighten Cush, who now feels safe from danger"
there will be anguish among them on the day of Egypt's doom
The abstract noun "anguish" and "doom" can be translated with the words "suffer" and "punish." Alternate translation: "the people of Cush will also suffer when I punish Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
behold!
The word "behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. It can also be translated as "indeed!"
It is coming
"It" refers to the "great pain" or "great sorrow" that Cush will have when they are punished along with Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:10
The Lord Yahweh says this
The word "this" refers to what follows. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:5.
I will make an end of the multitudes of Egypt
"I will make it so that Egypt will no longer have many people."
by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar
Here "the hand" represents Nebuchadnezzar's military power. Nebuchadnezzar will be the one who brings this punishment about.
Ezekiel 30:11
He and his army with him ... will be brought to destroy the land
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will bring Nebuchadnezzar and his army ... to destroy the land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
He and his army ... will be brought to destroy the land
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will cause him and his army ... to go destroy the land of Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
He and his army with him, the terror of nations
Yahweh calls Nebuchadnezzar "the terror of the nations" because all of the nations are greatly afraid of his army. Alternate translation: "He and his army with him, the one who terrifies many nations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
they will draw out their swords against Egypt
Here "draw out their swords" represents fighting with their swords. Alternate translation: "they will use their swords and fight against Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
fill the land with those who have been killed
This is an exaggeration to show that the Babylonians will kill very many Egyptians. There will be so many dead Egyptians that it will seem that their dead bodies cover all of the land of Egypt. Alternate translation: "kill so many people that it will seem like dead bodies are everywhere" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Ezekiel 30:12
General Information:
These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
I will make the rivers into dry ground
"I will dry up the rivers of Egypt"
I will sell the land into the hand of wicked men
Yahweh will give the Babylonians control over Egypt just as a person who sells something gives the one who buys it control over that thing. Alternate translation: "I will give control of the land to wicked men" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
its fullness
"everything in the land"
Ezekiel 30:13
The Lord Yahweh says this
The word "this" refers to what follows. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:5.
I will bring an end to the worthless idols
"I will destroy the worthless idols"
Memphis
Memphis was a very important city in Egypt. It was near modern-day Cairo. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
a prince in the land of Egypt
"an important ruler in the land of Egypt"
I will put terror on the land of Egypt
Here "put terror on the land" represents causing the people of the land to be very afraid. Alternate translation: "I will make the people of Egypt very afraid" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 30:14
Pathros
This was a region in southern Egypt.
set fire in Zoan
"I will burn Zoan with fire"
Zoan
Zoan was another important city in Egypt.
I will execute acts of judgment on Thebes
The phrase "acts of judgment" refers to punishment. Alternate translation: "I will punish Thebes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Thebes
This was the capital city of southern Egypt.
Ezekiel 30:15
General Information:
These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
For I will pour out my fury on Pelusium
Here "pour out my fury" represents punishing the people because of his great anger. Alternate translation: "For I will act in great anger against Pelusium" or "Because I am so angry, I will punish Pelusium severely" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Pelusium
Pelusium is the name of a fortress in northern Egypt. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
cut off the multitude of Thebes
Here "cut off" represents killing the people. Alternate translation: "kill the very large number of people in Thebes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Thebes
This was the capital city of southern Egypt. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:14.
Ezekiel 30:16
Then I will set fire in Egypt
Here "set fire" is an idiom meaning "start a fire." Alternate translation: "I will start a fire in Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Pelusium will be in great agony
Here "Pelusium" is a metonym for the people of the city near Pelusium, and "be in great agony" can be translated with the verb "suffer." Alternate translation: "The people of Pelusium will suffer terribly" or "The people of Pelusium will feel terrible pain" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Thebes will be broken up
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "enemies will break up the walls and buildings in Thebes" or "enemies will destroy the Thebes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Memphis will face enemies every day
Here "face enemies" represents seeing or having enemies. The name of the city is a metonym for the people who live in the city. Alternate translation: "The people of Memphis will have enemies every day" or "Enemies will fight against the people of Memphis every day" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Memphis
Memphis was a very important city in Egypt. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 30:13.
Ezekiel 30:17
General Information:
These are Yahweh's words about Egypt.
Heliopolis and Bubastis
These were cities in northern Egypt. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
will fall by the sword
The word "sword" is used here to refer to a battle or war. Alternate translation: "will die in battle" or "will die in the war" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
their cities will go into captivity
Here "cities" represents the people of the cities. The abstract noun "captivity" can be expressed with the more concrete noun "captive" or the verb "capture" Alternate translation: "the people of their cities will become captives" or "their enemies will capture their people and take them away" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 30:18
Tahpanhes
This was an important city in northern Egypt.
the day will hold back its light
The day is spoken of as if it were able to keep its own light from shining. Alternate translation: "the day will be dark" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
when I break the yoke of Egypt there
The word "yoke" here refers to Egypt's power to oppress people. Alternate translation: "when I stop Egypt from oppressing people" or "when I end Egypt's power to cruelly control other nations" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
the pride of her strength will be finished
This represents Egypt no longer being proud of their strength. The reason that they will not be proud is that they will no longer be strong. Alternate translation: "Egypt will no longer be proud about being strong" or "Egypt will no longer have the strength that they were so proud of" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
There will be a cloud covering her
Possible meanings are 1) the dark cloud represents how sad the people of Egypt will feel. Alternate translation: "It will be as if there is a cloud over Egypt" or 2) there will be a cloud of dust over Egypt from everything that is destroyed. Alternate translation: "A cloud of dust will be over Egypt" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
her daughters
Possible meanings are 1) the people of the Egyptian towns or 2) the daughters of the Egyptian people
Ezekiel 30:19
I will execute acts of judgment in Egypt
The phrase "acts of judgment" refers to punishment. Alternate translation: "I will punish Egypt in many ways" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
so they
"so the Egyptians"
Ezekiel 30:20
General Information:
God speaks of making Pharaoh's army weak as if he were to break Pharaoh's arm, and of the army not being able to become strong again as if Pharaoh's arm could not be healed. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
Then it came about
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
in the eleventh year
This is the eleventh year after King Jehoiachin was taken into exile in Babylon. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 26:1.
in the first month, in the seventh day of the month
"in the seventh day of the first month." This is the first month of the Hebrew calendar. The seventh day is near the beginning of April on Western calendars. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-hebrewmonths and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-ordinal)
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 30:21
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"
I have broken the arm of Pharaoh
Here "arm" represents the powerful army of a king. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Behold
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
It has not been bound up
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "No one has bound up his arm" or "No one has wrapped up his arm" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
or set to heal with a bandage
Here "set to heal with a bandage" refers to the arm being wrapped tightly in a bandage so that the parts of the bone will stay together and heal.
Ezekiel 30:22
General Information:
God continues speaking of Pharaoh's army as if it were a broken arm. He also speaks of strengthening the army of Babylon as if it were the arms of the king of Babylon. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
the Lord Yahweh says this
See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:11.
both the strong one and the broken one
"both the arm that is healthy and the arm that is already broken"
I will make the sword fall from his hand
"I will knock the sword out of Pharaoh's hand"
Ezekiel 30:23
scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them among the lands
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. See how you translated similar phrases in Ezekiel 12:15. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
among the lands
"among the places in which people live"
Ezekiel 30:24
I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon
"I will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong"
He will groan before the king of Babylon
"When the king of Babylon comes to attack Egypt, Pharaoh will groan."
groan
A groan is a noise that people make when they have a lot of pain or are dying.
with the groans of a dying man
"as a man who is dying groans" or "like a man who is dying"
Ezekiel 30:25
General Information:
God continues speaking of the armies of Egypt and Babylon as if the armies were the arms of their kings. He also speaks of making the army of Babylon strong to attack others as if he had a sword and put it in the Babylonian king's hand. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
For I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon
Here "arms" are a metonym for the army. Alternate translation: "I will make the army of the king of Babylon strong" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
while Pharaoh's arms will fall
Here "Pharaoh's arms" is a metonym for his army, and "will fall" represents being weak. Alternate translation: "but Pharaoh's army will be unable to defeat enemies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Then they
The word "they" possibly refers to 1) "the Egyptians" or 2) "all people who hear what Yahweh has done."
for he will attack the land of Egypt with it
"and the king of Babylon will attack the land of Egypt with my sword"
Ezekiel 30:26
scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them through the lands
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. See how you translated similar phrases in Ezekiel 12:15. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)