Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezekiel 30:13
Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause [their] images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
13. destroy the idols ] On “idols” ch. Eze 6:5. The clause fails in LXX.
their images to cease ] Lit., their not-gods, a favourite term of Isaiah’s, e.g. Eze 19:1; Eze 19:3, though found only here in Ezek. For “not-gods” (ellim) LXX. renders “magnates” (elim), which no doubt gives a good parallelism to the next clause; cf. Isa 34:12.
put a fear ] Cf. Isa 19:16, Egypt “shall fear because of the shaking of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shaketh over it.” Noph (in Hos 9:6 Moph) is Memphis, the most important city of lower Egypt, lying on the left bank of the Nile, somewhat south of the modern Cairo. Isa 19:13; Jer 2:16; Jer 44:1; Jer 46:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Noph – Memphis Isa 19:13.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 13. Their images to cease out of Noph] Afterwards Memphis, and now Cairo or Kahira. This was the seat of Egyptian idolatry; the place where Apis was particularly worshipped.
No more a prince of the land of Egypt] Not one, from that time to the present day. See Clarke on Eze 29:14.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
I will also destroy; God did it by the Babylonians; those proud and impious nations did triumph over the gods of the conquered, and out of contempt of them burnt them or broke them, as is well known; so Sennacherib threatened, 2Ch 32:19; Isa 37:19,24, against the true God, as he did to idol gods.
The idols; dunghill gods, as the words, fitter to be trod under foot than to be decked and respected.
Their images; these nothings, as the word imports; whoever destroyed the image destroyed the god, for it was nothing but an image.
Noph; Memphis, now Grand Cairo, the chief city of the country, the seat of their kings first, of their priests by consequence, and of all their several gods too; but the Chaldeans destroyed the nest and birds too.
A prince; either an Egyptian horn, or independent, or over all Egypt, or that shall have the power, wealth, or honour like a former brave Egyptian king. A fear of consternation and cowardice, that should disable them for counsel and action in their most urgent affairs.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13. NophMemphis, the capitalof Middle Egypt, and the stronghold of “idols.” Though norecord exists of Nebuchadnezzar’s “destroying” these, weknow from HERODOTUS andothers, that Cambyses took Pelusium, the key of Egypt, by placingbefore his army dogs, cats, c., all held sacred in Egypt, so that noEgyptian would use any weapon against them. He slew Apis, the sacredox, and burnt other idols of Egypt.
no more a princereferringto the anarchy that prevailed in the civil wars between Apries andAmasis at the time of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion. There shall no morebe a prince of the land of Egypt, ruling the whole country or, noindependent prince.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Thus saith the Lord God, I will also destroy the idols,…. With which Egypt abounded, making an idol of all sorts of creatures, rational and irrational, animate and inanimate, and in which they trusted; wherefore these being destroyed, they had nothing to put their confidence in:
I will cause their images to cease out of Noph; called Moph, Ho 9:6 and which we there rightly render Memphis, as many versions do here, and was very famous for idolatry: here stood the temple of Serapis, and the temple of other idols; here Isis and Osiris were worshipped; and it was in Jerom’s time, as he says, the metropolis of the Egyptian superstition. It was built by Menes s, the Mizraim of the Scriptures, the first king of Egypt; though Diodorus Siculus t makes Uchoreus to be the founder of it. Some interpreters take this city to be the same with what is now called Alkair, or Grand Cairo; or, however, that this is built upon the same spot, or near the same place that was, in which I have followed them on Isa 19:13 whereas Cairo stands right over against old Memphis, the Nile being between them, on the east side of it, and Memphis on the west; as is clear from Herodotus u, and from the charts of Dr. Shaw, and Mr. Norden; and who observe, that some take the place of it to have been where a village now stands, Dr. Shaw calls Geza, and Mr. Norden Gize:
and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt; that is, a native of that country; or that should rule over the whole of it, and in that grandeur the kings of Egypt had before; or, however, not dwell in Memphis, which was the seat of the kings of Egypt, but now should be so no more: when Egypt was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, it was under the Babylonians; and then under the Persians; and then under the Greeks; and afterwards under the Romans; since under the Saracens and Mamalucks; and now in the hands of the Turks; so that it never recovered its former glory; and indeed, after Nectanebus was driven out of it by Ochus, king of Persia, it never after had a king:
and I will put a fear in all the land of Egypt; a panic in all the inhabitants of it; as soon as they shall hear of the king of Babylon entering into it, their courage, bravery, and fortitude, shall at once leave them, and they shall be dispirited, and have no heart to defend themselves, and oppose the enemy.
s Herodot, Euterpe, sive l. 2. c. 99. t Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 46. u Euterpe, sive l. 2. c. 99.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Further Description of the Judgment
Eze 30:13. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, I will exterminate the idols and cut off the deities from Noph, and there shall be no more a prince from the land of Egypt; and I put terror upon the land of Egypt. Eze 30:14. And I lay Pathros waste, and bring fire into Zoan, and execute judgments upon No; Eze 30:15. And I pour out my fury upon Sin, the stronghold of Egypt, and cut off the multitude of No; Eze 30:16. And I put fire in Egypt; Sin will writhe in pain, and No will be broken open, and Noph – enemies by day. Eze 30:17. The men of On and Bubastus will fall by the sword, and they themselves will go into captivity. Eze 30:18. At Tachpanches the day will be darkened when I shatter the yokes of Egypt there, and an end will be put to its proud haughtiness; cloud will cover it, and its daughters till go into captivity. Eze 30:19. And thus I execute judgments upon Egypt, that they may know that I am Jehovah. – Egypt will lose its idols and its princes (cf. Jer 46:25). and are synonymous, signifying not the images, but the deities; the former being the ordinary epithet applied to false deities by Ezekiel (see the comm. on Eze 6:4), the latter traceable to the reading of Isa 19:1. , contracted from , Manoph or Menoph = in Hos 9:6, is Memphis, the ancient capital of Lower Egypt, with the celebrated temple of Ptah, one of the principal seats of Egyptian idolatry (see the comm. on Hos 9:6 and Isa 19:13). In Eze 30:13 ‘ belongs to , there shall be no more a prince from the land of Egypt, i.e., a native prince. , to put fear upon (cf. Eze 26:17). From Lower Egypt Ezekiel passes in Eze 30:14 to Upper Egypt ( Pathros, see the comm. on Eze 29:14), which is also to be laid waste, and then names several more of the principal cities of Lower Egypt along with the chief city of Upper Egypt. , Egypt. Zane, Copt. Jane, is the , Tanis, of the Greeks and Romans, on the Tanitic arm of the Nile, an ancient city of Lower Egypt; see the comm. on Num 13:22 and Isa 19:11. = in Nah 3:8, probably “abode of Amon,” Egypt. P – amen, i.e., house of Amon, the sacred name of Thebes, the celebrated royal city of Upper Egypt, the of the Greeks (see the comm. on Nah 3:8). (literally, mire; compare the Aram. ) is , Pelusium , which derives its name from ( , Strab. xvii. p. 802), because there were swamps all round. It was situated on the eastern arm of the Nile, to which it gave its name, at a distance of twenty stadia from the sea. The Egyptian name Pehromi also signifies dirty, or muddy. From this the Arabs have made Elfarama; and in the vicinity of the few ruins of the ancient Pelusium there is still a castle called Arab. t, Tineh (compare the Chaldee , clay, in Dan 2:41). Ezekiel calls it the “fortress or bulwark of Egypt,” because, as Strabo ( l.c.) observes, “Egypt is difficult of access here from places in the East;” for which reason Hirtius ( de bell. Al. c. 27) calls it “the key of Egypt,” and Suidas ( s.v.) “the key both of the entrance and exit of Egypt.” On the history of this city, see Leyrer in Herzog’s Encyclopaedia. In many of the commentators find a play upon the name of the god (Jer 46:25), the chief deity of Thebes, which is possible, but not very probable, as we should not expect to find a god mentioned again here after Eze 30:13; and would be inappropriate. – In Eze 30:16 Sin (= Pelusium) is mentioned again as the border fortress, No (= Memphis) as the capital of Upper Egypt, as all falling within the range of the judgment. The expression has caused some difficulty and given occasion to various conjectures, none of which, however, commend themselves as either simple or natural explanations.
(Note: Ewald proposes to alter into (after the Aramaean), “rust,” and renders it: “Memphis will be eternal rust.” But to this Hitzig has very properly objected that in Eze 24:6, Eze 24:11, rust is called ; and that even in Psa 6:3 does not mean perpetual or eternal. Hvernick proposes to explain , from the Aramaean z e r’, to rend or tear in pieces, “Memphis shall become perpetual rents.” To this also it may be objected, that in Hebrew has the standing meaning of oppressors; and that , interdiu, is not equivalent to perpetual; and still further, that the preposition could not be omitted before .)
As Hitzig has correctly observed, is the same as in Jer 15:8, and is the opposite of in Oba 1:5. The enemy who comes by day, not in the night, is the enemy who does not shun open attack. The connection with is to be explained by the same rule as Jer 24:2, “the one basket – very good figs.” Memphis will have enemies in broad daylight, i.e., will be filled with them. = , , in Gen 41:45, Gen 41:50 (Egyptian An, or Anu), is the popular name of Heliopolis in Lower Egypt (see the comm. on Gen 41:45); and the form (a vain thing, or idol) is probably selected intentionally in the sense of an idol-city (see the comm. on Hos 4:15), because On-Heliopolis ( in Jer 43:13) was from time immemorial one of the principal seats of the Egyptian worship of the sun, and possessed a celebrated temple of the sun, with a numerous and learned priesthood (see the comm. on Gen 41:45, ed. 2). , i.e., (lxx), or (Herod. ii. 59), Egyptian Pi – Pasht , i.e., the place of Pasht, so called from the cat-headed Bubastis or Pasht, the Egyptian Diana, which was worshipped there in a splendid temple. It was situated on the royal canal leading to Suez, which was begun by Necho and finished under Ptolemy II, not far from its junction with the Pelusiac arm of the Nile. It was the chief seat of the Nomos Bubastites, was destroyed by the Persians, who demolished its walls (Diod. Sic. xvi. 51), and has entirely disappeared, with the exception of some heaps of ruins which still bear the name of Tel Bastah, about seven hours’ journey from the Nile (compare Ges. Thes. pp. 1101ff., and Leyrer in Herzog’s Encyclopaedia, s.v.). The Nomos of Bubastis, according to Herod. ii. 166, was assigned to the warrior-caste of Calasirians. The , the young military men, will fall by the sword; and , not (lxx and others), but the cities themselves, i.e., their civil population as distinguished from the military garrison, shall go into exile. This explanation of is commended by in Eze 30:18. or (Jer 43:7., Eze 44:1; Eze 46:14), and in Jer 2:16 ( Chetib), is , (lxx), or (Herod. ii. 30. 107), a frontier city of Egypt in the vicinity of Pelusium, after the time of Psammetichus a fortification with a strong garrison, where a palace of Pharaoh was also to be found, according to Jer 43:9. After the destruction of Jerusalem, a portion of the Jews took refuge there, and to them Jeremiah predicted the punishment of God on the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 43:7., Eze 44:1.). In the case of the reading varies; the printed Masora at Gen 39:3 giving as the reading to be found in all the codices examined by the author of the Masora; whereas many of the codices and printed editions have , and this is adopted in all the ancient versions. This is evidently the correct reading, as does not furnish an appropriate meaning, and the parallel passages, Eze 32:8; Isa 13:10; Joe 3:4; Amo 8:9, all favour . The darkening of the day is the phenomenal prognostic of the dawning of the great day of judgment upon the nations (cf. Joe 2:10; Joe 3:4, Joe 3:15; Isa 13:10, etc.). This day is to dawn upon Egypt at Tachpanches, the border fortress of the land towards Syria and Palestine, when the Lord will break the yokes of Egypt. These words point back to Lev 26:13, where the deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt is called the breaking in pieces of its yokes (see also Eze 34:27). That which took place then is to be repeated here. The yokes which Egypt put upon the nations are to be broken; and all the proud might of that kingdom is to be brought to an end ( , as in Eze 30:6). In Eze 30:18, , which stands at the head in an absolute form, points back to . The city ( Daphne) will be covered with cloud, i.e., will be overthrown by the judgment; and her daughters, i.e., the smaller cities and hamlets dependent upon her (cf. Eze 16:46 and Eze 26:6), will go into captivity in the persons of their inhabitants. It follows from this that Daphne was the chief city of a Nomos in Lower Egypt; and this is confirmed by the circumstance that there was a royal palace there. If we compare the threat in this verse, that in Tachpanches an end is to be put to the proud might of Pharaoh, with the threatening words of Jer 43:9., to the effect that Nebuchadnezzar would set up his throne at Tachpanches and smite Egypt, it is evident that the situation of Daphne must at that time have been such that the war between Egypt and Babylonia would necessarily be decided in or near this city. These prophetic utterances cannot be explained, as Kliefoth supposes, from the fact that many Jews had settled in Daphne; nor do the contents of this verse furnish any proof that Ezekiel did not utter this prophecy of his till after the Jews had settled there (Jer 43:1-13 and 44). Eze 30:19 serves to round off the prophecy.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(13) Noph.A contraction of Menoph, Memphis, the capital of Lower Egypt, situated in the region of the Pyramids, the seat of several dynasties, one of the chief centres of Egyptian idolatry, and celebrated for its Temple of Ptah.
There shall be no more a prince is to be understood, in accordance with the rest of the prophecy, not absolutely, but relatively: there shall be no more a native prince possessing the power of former kings.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
13. Images Hebrews, no-gods. By the omission of one syllable the LXX. reads, “great ones.”
Noph LXX., Memphis, as Hos 9:6; “Moph” (Assyrian, Mi-im-pi). Memphis, the splendid capital of the ancient empire, is to-day no more than a dust heap connected with the most magnificent cemetery on earth.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Thus says the Lord Yahweh, I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease from Noph (Memphis). And there will be no more a prince out of the land of Egypt. And I will put a fear in the land of Egypt. And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set a fire in Zoan (Tanis), and will execute judgment on No (Thebes). And I will pour out my fury on Sin (Pelusium) , the stronghold of Egypt, and I will cut off the multitude of No (Thebes). And I will set a fire in Egypt. Sin will be in great anguish, and No will be broken up, and Noph will have adversaries in the day time. The young men of Aven (Heliopolis) and Pi-beseth will fall by the sword, and these will go into captivity. At Tehaphnehes (Tahpanhes) also the day will withdraw itself, when I will break there the yokes of Egypt, and the pride of her power will cease in her. As for her a cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity. Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt, and they will know that I am Yahweh.”
A wide range of cities in Egypt are mentioned to bring home the widespread nature of the devastation. Everywhere would be affected (compare for the approach Isa 10:27-32; Mic 1:10-15; Zep 2:4). There is no order to the names, they are selected at random. The many gods of Egypt would be decimated and authority in the land would cease. There would thus be general fear over the whole land. The great cities would be desolated and many set on fire. Anguish would be everywhere. This would be invasion on a large scale. ‘Adversaries in the day time’ reflects this. The city gates would normally be open during the day, but closed at nights. At this time they would be permanently closed.
‘Also the day will withdraw itself, when I will break there the yokes of Egypt, and the pride of her power will cease in her. As for her a cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity.’ Tehaphnehes was a frontier city (Jer 43:7) and would receive the first onslaught, becoming the first to be ‘freed’ from the Egyptian yoke. But it would be as though there was no more day, as though they were under a permanent cloud. They would be the first whose daughters were taken away as spoil.
Noph is better known as Memphis, modern Mit Raneh, and used to be the capital of Lower Egypt. Pathros was in Upper Egypt, between modern Cairo and Aswan, (compare Eze 29:14). Zoan (Greek Tanis) was a chief city in the northeastern delta. No (Greek Thebes) is modern Karnak and Luxor, Egypt’s southern capital, and often capital of all Egypt. It was the cultic centre of the sun god Amon. All the towns mentioned in these verses were important religious centres as well as large cities. Sin (Greek Pelusium), modern Tel Farama on the Mediterranean coast, was one of the northernmost strongholds of Egypt. Aven (also known as On, Greek Heliopolis), was a major religious centre in Lower Egypt, and Pi-beseth (Greek Bubastis), modern Basta, was another capital city sixty five kilometres (40 miles) northeast of modern Cairo. Tehaphnehes (Tahpanes, Greek Daphnai) is modern Tel Defenneh, and was a fortress town and residence of the Pharaohs (Isa 30:4; Jer 2:16; Jer 43:7; Jer 43:9; Jer 44:1).
‘Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt, and they will know that I am Yahweh.’ Once again the mocking world would be made aware of Who and What Yahweh is.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Eze 30:13. Noph Or, Memphis; and so Eze 30:16. There shall be no more a prince, &c. seems to mean that there shall be no more a natural prince of the Egyptian race, but it shall be subject to foreigners. It is probable, that these prophesies respect the time of Cambyses and Darius Ochus. See the note on chap. Eze 29:15 and Usher’s Annals, A.M. 3478 and 3653.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Eze 30:13 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause [their] images to cease out of Noph; and there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt.
Ver. 13. I will also destroy their idols. ] He did so by Cambyses. See on Eze 30:6 . He doth so still by the Turks. When they invade Popish countries, they break down their mawmets.
Out of Noph.
And there shall be no more a prince.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Eze 30:13-19
13’Thus says the Lord GOD,
I will also destroy the idols
And make the images cease from Memphis.
And there will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt;
And I will put fear in the land of Egypt.
14I will make Pathros desolate,
Set a fire in Zoan
And execute judgments on Thebes.
15I will pour out My wrath on Sin,
The stronghold of Egypt;
I will also cut off the hordes of Thebes.
16I will set a fire in Egypt;
Sin will writhe in anguish,
Thebes will be breached
And Memphis will have distresses daily.
17The young men of On and of Pi-beseth
Will fall by the sword,
And the women will go into captivity.
18In Tehaphnehes the day will be dark
When I break there the yoke bars of Egypt.
Then the pride of her power will cease in her;
A cloud will cover her,
And her daughters will go into captivity.
19Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt,
And they will know that I am the LORD.’
Eze 30:13-19 Notice the list of Egyptian allies.
1. Memphis, Eze 30:13; Eze 30:16, first known capital of Egypt named Menes after the first powerful king. Its chief deity was Ptah, the creator-god. The later name, Memphis, came from its association with the pyramid of Pepi I.
2. Pathros, Eze 30:14, see note at Eze 29:14
3. Zoan, Eze 30:14, also called Tanis and probably the Hyksos Avaris, later called Ramesses, the delta capital of Egypt in 21st and 22nd dynasties
4. Thebes, Eze 30:14; Eze 30:16, is the location of the valleys of the kings and temples of Amun. Today it is called Luxor, about 400 miles south of Cairo.
5. Sin, Eze 30:15-16, a city is located in the delta. In Greek it is called Pelusiom (i.e., city of mud). It guarded the highway to the north.
6. On, Eze 30:17, this city is close to Cairo in the delta region. In Greek it is called Heliopolis (i.e., city of the sun). It was one of the cities built by Hebrew slaves (cf. Exo 1:11).
7. Pi-beseth, Eze 30:17, later the capital of Egypt (22nd dynasty). It was named after the goddess Bastet (woman with cat head). It was made famous by Pharaoh Shishak.
8. Tehaphnehes, Eze 30:18, in Jer 43:7 it is spelled Tahpanhes. It is located on the highway going to Arabia in the eastern delta region.
Eze 30:13 the idols There were several categories of idols (BDB 156) in Egypt.
1. royal rulers (Pharaohs)
2. animals
3. half human, half animals
4. fertility gods
Each city had their own chief god and/or goddess.
images This (BDB 47) is parallel to idols. Its basic meaning is uncertain, but the same root in Syriac means weak, feeble, poor. It has the connotation of that which is insufficient or worthless. It is translated idols in Lev 19:4; Lev 26:1; Psa 96:5; Psa 97:7; Isa 2:8; Isa 2:18; Isa 2:20(twice); Eze 10:10; Eze 19:1; Eze 19:3; Eze 31:7(twice); Hab 2:18.
there will no longer be a prince in the land of Egypt Apparently Babylon’s conquest and exile completely removed all the royal family to Babylon. Pharoah Hophra was assassinated and a new dynasty started.
Eze 30:14 Zoan This is a Hebrew form of the name of a famous ancient city (cf. Num 13:22) in the delta region that is known by several names.
1. Avaris (Hyksos name)
2. Pi-Ramesses (moved to a new location to the north which became Zoan, ABD, vol. 6, p. 1106)
3. Tanis (later Greek name)
It was the northern capital of several Egyptian dynasties (i.e., Hyksos and Ramses II). It became the site of a revival temple to Amon (original temple was at Thebes).
It is mentioned in the OT in Num 13:22; Isa 19:11; Isa 19:13; Isa 30:4; Eze 30:14, as well as Psa 78:12; Psa 78:43.
Eze 30:16 writhe in anguish This phrase could be an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 296). If so, it denotes intensity.
will be breached This VERB (BDB 131, KB 149) is a Niphal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT. The TEV and NJB follow the Septuagint, which sees the breach as referring to the city’s (i.e., Thebes) walls breaking and letting the Nile flood the city. The Septuagint (LXX) does not mention Memphis in the closing line of Eze 30:16.
Eze 30:17-18 The NASB translates they (A FEMININE PLURAL) of Eze 30:17 b as the women, while NKJV translates they as these cities, as do NRSV and NJB. The TEV identified they as other people.
The NASB probably bases its understanding on the parallelism of Eze 30:18 e.
Eze 30:18 the day will be dark Most English translations change the MT’s shall be withheld (BDB 362, ) to will be darkened (BDB 364, ).
the pride of her power will cease Pride is a major spiritual problem for humans, angels, and nations. It is the essence of the self-centeredness of Genesis 3. It is always followed by divine judgment (e.g., Eze 28:2; Eze 29:3; Eze 32:12; Eze 33:28; Isa 14:13-14; Isa 16:6; Isa 25:11).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
idols = manufactured gods.
images = things of nought.
Noph = Memphis. Now Abu Sir.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Eze 30:13-19
Eze 30:13-19
“Thus saith the Lord, Jehovah: I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease from Memphis; and there shall be no more a prince from the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt. And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set a fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments upon No. And I will pour my wrath upon Sin, the stronghold of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. And I will set a fire in Egypt: Sin shall be in great anguish, and No shall be broken up; and Memphis shall have adversaries in the day-time. The young men of Avert and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword; and these cities shall go into captivity. At Tehaphnehes also the day shall withdraw itself, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt and the pride of her power shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity. Thus will I execute judgments upon Egypt; and they shall know that I am Jehovah.”
THE CITIES TO BE DESTROYED
“Memphis …” (Eze 30:13) “This was the principal city of Lower Egypt, built on the left bank of the Nile 10 miles south of Cairo. “This city was also called `Noph.’
“I will destroy the idols, and I will cause the images to cease …” (Eze 30:13). “The `idols’ here were great men and princes, as indicated in NEB. Since the Pharaohs themselves pretended to divine honors, the term “idols” is appropriate.
“Pathros, Zoan, and No …” (Eze 30:14) “Pathros was the native name of Upper, or Southern Egypt; Zoan, called `Tanis’ by the Greeks, was mentioned by Moses in Num 13:22. It was an important city of the Eastern Delta.”
No was located some 400 miles south of Memphis; it was the capital of Upper Egypt, known to the Greeks as Thebes, and featured in the Book of Nahum under the name of No-Amon. There is nothing haphazard about this list of Egyptian cities. Memphis, the capital of Lower Egypt, and its supporting cities was named first, and then Thebes, or No, the capital of Upper Egypt was named next.
No was famous as a residential city for the Pharaohs between 1380,930 B.C.; and many of the greatest of the Pharaohs were buried there. The sun-god Amon was worshipped there; and his name was often incorporated into that of the city, as in No-Amon (Nah 3:8 f).
Each one of the cities mentioned here, “was identified with a particular pagan deity; and therefore God’s prophecies against these cities may be construed as a frontal assault upon the paganism of Egypt.
“Sin …” (Eze 30:16). This place is called the “stronghold of Egypt.” It is usually associated with Pelusium, but the actual location is disputed.
“Avert …” (Eze 30:17). “This word means `nothingness,’ or ‘wickedness,’ and is a contemptuous rendition of On (Heliopolis), the words being spelled exactly alike in Hebrew. Joseph’s father-in-law was Potiphera the high priest there (Gen 41:45). It was the center of sun-worship.
“Pibeseth …” (Eze 30:17). At this place, “The cat-headed goddess Ubastet was worshipped.
Herodotus has the report of a Persian ruler, Cambyses, who won a victory over this city by deploying several thousand dogs and cats in front of the Persian army. The Egyptians would not attack through fear of killing some of the animals which were sacred to their god.
“Tehaphnehes …” (Eze 30:18). “This place is now Tel-Deffeneh, 10 miles west of E1-Kantara on the Suez Canal. It is the place where Jeremiah prophesied that the king of Babylon would erect his throne (Jer 43:8 f).
The list of cities mentioned here has now been noted; and we appreciate Eichrodt’s comment that, “This list provides a very suitable means of representing the almost inexhaustible resources of that kingdom on the Nile.
“When I shall break there the yokes of Egypt …” (Eze 30:18). Some of the versions have “yokes and bars.” “Both words are used as a figure of tyranny, and of Egyptian tyranny in particular.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
I will also: Exo 12:12, Isa 19:1-15, Jer 43:12, Jer 43:13, Jer 46:25, Zep 2:11, Zec 13:2
Noph: Isa 19:13, Jer 2:16, Jer 44:1, Jer 46:14, Hos 9:6, Memphis, Heb. Moph
there shall: Eze 29:14, Eze 29:15, Zec 10:11
put: Isa 19:16, Jer 46:5
Reciprocal: Psa 9:20 – Put Jer 46:19 – Noph Eze 6:6 – your altars Eze 29:9 – the land
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Eze 30:13. The general subject of this chapter is the fate of Egypt, and the several verses specify certain cities or parts of the country. The prophet also reveals Gods wrath against the idolatry that the country had practiced for centuries. The Egyptians worshiped everything in nature, both living and nonliving, and also set up their idols made of stone and other materials. God decreed that the manmade idols should he destroyed. That would teach them the uselessness of such gods, and also would prove that It Is vain to rely on the things in nature as a means of superhuman assistance. The modern name for Noph is Memphis, which was an important city even then.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Eze 30:13. I will also destroy the idols Idolatry being one of the principal things for which God visits the infidel nations, he would take particular vengeance upon the idols, thereby showing how much he is superior to them in power. Cambysis, the successor of Cyrus, destroyed the idols of Egypt. I will cause their images to cease out of Noph Noph, or Memphis, was one of the principal cities of Egypt, a seat of their kings, where their sepulchres stood, one of which is still remaining. It is often mentioned in Scripture. In Hosea it is called Moph, and by many at this day Menoph. This place was famous for the worship of Apis and Osiris, whereupon the prophet, in a particular manner, denounces destruction to the idolatry of that place. And there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt This undoubtedly refers to the future government of Egypt by foreigners, or to the general destruction of the Egyptian princes by Nebuchadnezzar and Amasis. All men know, says Josephus against Appion, 50. 2. sec. 11, , , , , That the Egyptians were subject to the Persians, differing nothing from slaves, and after them to the Macedonians, who ruled over Asia. See the note on Eze 29:15. And I will put a fear in Egypt
I will make the Egyptians faint-hearted, and not able to defend themselves.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Finally (Eze 30:13-19), the Lord also promised to destroy the idols of Egypt, even from Noph (Gr. Memphis), the capital of Lower Egypt near modern Cairo. Some studies indicate that there were more than 1,200 gods in Egypt at one time. [Note: E. A. W. Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, pp. ix-x; and B. E. Shafer, ed., Religion in Ancient Egypt: Gods, Myths, and Personal Practice, pp. 7-87.] There would no longer be a king over Egypt either; foreigners would rule over the land. Consequently the Egyptians would be very fearful. The Egyptians regarded their Pharaoh as the incarnation of a god.