But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.

EZEKIEL 29:4KJV
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Ezekiel 29:4 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 29:4 mean?

Ezekiel 29:4 describes God declaring that He will put hooks in the jaws of Egypt’s ruler, pulling him out of the Nile along with all the fish clinging to his scales. This is a vivid picture of Egypt’s king and people being forcefully removed from their place of power and influence.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, using the image of a great sea creature (often understood as a crocodile) to represent Pharaoh. The “hooks in thy jaws” and the fish sticking to his scales show Egypt’s coming downfall, with the people (the fish) sharing in their leader’s fate. The setting is a prophecy against Egypt, warning of judgment and humiliation.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 29:4

  • “hooks” (חַחִים, ḥakhim): This word refers to fishing hooks or barbs, emphasizing the forceful and inescapable nature of Egypt’s capture.
  • “jaws” (לְחָיַיִם, leḥayayim): The word means jaws or cheeks, painting Pharaoh as a creature caught and controlled by God.
  • “fish” (דָּגָה, dagah): This word for fish is used to symbolize the people or allies of Egypt, showing that they will be caught up in Pharaoh’s judgment.
  • “stick” (דָּבַק, davaq): This word means to cling or stick, highlighting how Egypt’s followers will not escape but will be dragged out together with their leader.

Why Ezekiel 29:4 matters

  • The verse clears up that Egypt’s downfall is not just about the king but involves all those connected to him, showing the shared fate of leaders and their people.
  • The image of hooks and fish makes the prophecy memorable and underscores God’s power to humble even the mightiest nations.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where God is pronouncing judgment on Egypt for its pride and false security, setting the stage for the rest of Ezekiel’s message against foreign nations.

Where else these words appear

“hooks” Hebrew H2397 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.
  • Isaiah 37:29 Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
  • Ezekiel 19:9 And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

“scales” Hebrew H7193 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 11:9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
  • Leviticus 11:12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
  • Deuteronomy 14:10 And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.

“fish” Hebrew H1710 · used in 13 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.
  • Numbers 11:5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:
  • Ezekiel 29:5 And I will leave thee thrown into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers: thou shalt fall upon the open fields; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered: I have given thee for meat to the beasts of the field and to the fowls of the heaven.

“jaws” Hebrew H3895 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:3 And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
  • Isaiah 30:28 And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.