Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.

EZEKIEL 30:5KJV
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Ezekiel 30:5 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 30:5 mean?

Ezekiel 30:5 lists several nations—Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, and others—saying they will fall by the sword alongside Egypt. This verse is part of a prophecy describing the defeat and destruction that will come upon Egypt and its allies through war.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel, warning them about the coming judgment against Egypt and the nations connected to it. The verse names specific regions and groups, showing that Egypt’s downfall will affect a wide circle of neighboring peoples who are either allied with or influenced by Egypt.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 30:5

  • "mingled" (עֵרֶב, ʿerev): This word refers to mixed or diverse peoples, suggesting that not only specific nations but also groups made up of various backgrounds will be caught up in the disaster. It highlights the broad impact of Egypt’s fall.
  • "league" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a covenant or alliance. The phrase "men of the land that is in league" points to people who have made formal agreements with Egypt, showing that even those who trusted in political alliances will not escape the coming judgment.

Why Ezekiel 30:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the judgment is not limited to Egypt alone but extends to all its allies and those connected by agreements, emphasizing the reach of the coming disaster.
  • It helps the reader see that political alliances and mixed groups, which might have seemed secure, are just as vulnerable in the face of God’s declared judgment.
  • In the wider context of Ezekiel 30, this verse underlines the theme that no nation or group can stand against the consequences of aligning with a power that is under divine judgment.

Where else these words appear

“Lydia” Hebrew H3865 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

“Libya” Hebrew H6316 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 10:6 And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
  • Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.
  • Ezekiel 38:5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet:

“Ethiopia” Hebrew H3568 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 2:13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
  • Esther 8:9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
  • Isaiah 37:9 And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

“mingled” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.