And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.

EZEKIEL 30:24KJV
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Ezekiel 30:24 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 30:24 mean?

Ezekiel 30:24 says that God will give power and success to the king of Babylon, putting His sword in the king’s hand, while He will take away Pharaoh’s strength, leaving Pharaoh wounded and defeated. The verse uses the image of broken and strengthened arms to show that Babylon will overcome Egypt by God’s decision.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the people of Israel, explaining what will happen to Egypt and Babylon. The “arms” represent strength and ability in battle. God’s message is that He is in control of which nations rise or fall, and He is choosing to make Babylon strong and Egypt weak at this time.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 30:24

  • "Strengthen" (חָזַק, chazaq H2388): This word means to make strong or give power. Here, it shows that Babylon’s success is not just from their own might, but because God is actively giving them strength.
  • "Arms" (זְרוֹעַ, zeroaʿ H2220): In Hebrew, “arms” often symbolize power or military strength. The contrast between strengthening Babylon’s arms and breaking Pharaoh’s arms highlights a complete reversal of fortunes.
  • "Break" (שָׁבַר, shavar H7665): This word means to shatter or destroy. God is not just weakening Pharaoh, but completely breaking his ability to fight or defend.
  • "Groan" (אֲנָקָה, anakah H5008) and "groanings" (אֲנָקוֹת, anakot H5009): These words describe deep pain and distress, like the cries of someone mortally wounded, emphasizing the total defeat and suffering Pharaoh will experience.

Why Ezekiel 30:24 matters

  • This verse makes clear that God is the one who decides which nations are strong or weak, not just human power or politics.
  • The vivid imagery of arms being strengthened or broken helps the reader understand the total shift in power between Babylon and Egypt.
  • Ezekiel 30:24 fits into a larger prophecy against Egypt, showing that even great empires are under God’s authority and can be brought low.

Where else these words appear

“groan” Hebrew H5008 · used in 2 verses

  • Job 24:12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

“groanings” Hebrew H5009 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
  • Exodus 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
  • Judges 2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

“arms” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“wounded” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.