It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.

EZEKIEL 29:15KJV
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Ezekiel 29:15 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 29:15 mean?

Ezekiel 29:15 says that Egypt will become the lowest and weakest of all kingdoms and will never again rise to power over other nations. God is declaring that Egypt’s days as a dominant empire are over, and it will be reduced in influence and authority among the nations.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Egypt during a time when Egypt was a powerful nation. God is warning that Egypt’s pride and power will be humbled, and it will lose its ability to rule over others. This verse is part of a larger prophecy where God judges Egypt for its arrogance and for misleading other nations, especially Israel.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 29:15

  • "basest" (שָׁפָל, shafal): This word means "low" or "humble." Here, it emphasizes that Egypt will be brought down to a position of insignificance among kingdoms.
  • "diminish" (מָעַט, ma'at): This verb means "to make small" or "to reduce." God is saying He will actively reduce Egypt’s size, influence, or importance.
  • "rule" (רָדָה, radah): This word means "to have dominion" or "to rule over." The verse stresses that Egypt will no longer have authority or control over other nations, marking a clear end to its imperial ambitions.

Why Ezekiel 29:15 matters

  • This verse corrects any idea that Egypt would regain its former glory or power; God’s judgment is final and lasting.
  • The verse highlights God’s control over the rise and fall of nations, showing that no kingdom is beyond His reach or authority.
  • In the context of Ezekiel 29, this helps explain why Israel and other nations should not rely on Egypt for security or support, since Egypt itself is under God’s judgment.

Where else these words appear

“basest” Hebrew H8217 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
  • Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
  • Ezekiel 17:6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.

“diminish” Hebrew H4591 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • Psalms 107:39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

“rule” Hebrew H7287 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Judges 14:9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
  • Psalms 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.