And I will set fire in Egypt: Sin shall have great pain, and No shall be rent asunder, and Noph shall have distresses daily.

EZEKIEL 30:16KJV
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Ezekiel 30:16 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 30:16 mean?

Ezekiel 30:16 describes how God will bring destruction and suffering to Egypt, specifically mentioning that the city of Sin will experience great pain, No will be broken apart, and Noph will face constant troubles. The verse paints a picture of widespread disaster affecting several major Egyptian cities.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is relaying a message from God to the people, warning them of coming judgment against Egypt. The setting is during a time when Egypt was a powerful nation, but God is announcing that its cities—Sin (Pelusium), No (Thebes), and Noph (Memphis)—will each face severe hardship as part of a larger prophecy against Egypt’s pride and power.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 30:16

  • "Set" (נָתַן, nathan, H5414) means to give or place, here used for God actively bringing or sending fire upon Egypt, emphasizing intentional judgment.
  • "Fire" (אֵשׁ, esh, H784) often symbolizes destruction or purifying judgment in the Hebrew Bible, so its use here stresses the severity of what will happen to Egypt.
  • "Pain" (חִיל, chil, H2342) is a word that can mean to writhe or tremble, often used for labor pains, which highlights the intensity and agony of what Sin will experience.
  • "Asunder" (בָּקַע, baqa, H1234) means to split or break open, showing that No will not just be attacked but thoroughly broken apart.
  • "Distresses" (מָצוֹר, matsor, H6862) refers to siege or trouble, and "daily" (יוֹם, yom, H3119) makes clear that Noph’s suffering will be ongoing, not a single event.

Why Ezekiel 30:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s judgment is not vague or general but targets specific cities, showing the thoroughness and reach of the coming disaster.
  • The mention of daily distress for Noph underlines that the suffering will be relentless, not just a momentary crisis.
  • Ezekiel 30:16 fits into a larger section where God is pronouncing judgment on Egypt and its allies, connecting this verse to a broader theme of accountability for nations that oppose God’s purposes.