Ezekiel 29:1 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 29:1 mean?

Ezekiel 29:1 marks a specific date when the prophet Ezekiel received a message from God. The verse sets the scene for what follows by identifying the exact year, month, and day when God’s word came to Ezekiel.

Ezekiel, a prophet living in exile in Babylon, is recording the moment he received a new message from the LORD (God) to deliver. The detailed date shows the importance of this prophecy and helps place it in the timeline of Israel’s history. This introduction prepares the reader for a new section of Ezekiel’s prophecies, which in this chapter will focus on Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 29:1

• "tenth" (עָשָׂר, `asar): This word appears twice, marking both the year and the month as the tenth. The repetition emphasizes the precision of the dating.
• "twelfth" (שְׁנֵים, shenayim + עָשָׂר, `asar): The Hebrew combines the words for "two" and "ten" to make "twelfth," showing how Hebrew forms numbers.
• "word" (דָּבָר, davar): This word often means a spoken message or command, highlighting that what follows is a direct communication from God.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, used here to show the authority and source of the message.

Why Ezekiel 29:1 matters

• The precise date helps readers and scholars connect this prophecy to historical events, showing that Ezekiel’s visions were grounded in real time.
• By naming the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) as the source, the verse underlines that Ezekiel’s message is not his own opinion but a divine revelation.
• This verse signals a shift in focus to Egypt, setting up the context for the prophecies against Egypt that follow in the chapter.