Ezekiel 29:4
Ezekiel 29:4 in Multiple Translations
But I will put hooks in your jaws and cause the fish of your streams to cling to your scales. I will haul you up out of your rivers, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales.
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.
And 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, with all the fish of thy rivers which stick unto thy scales.
And I will put hooks in your mouth, and the fish of your streams will be hanging from your skin; and I will make you come up out of your streams, with all the fish of your streams hanging from your skin.
I'm going to put hooks in your jaws and make the fish in your river stick to your scales. I will pull you up out of your river, and all the fish will stick to your scales.
But I will put hookes in thy chawes, and I will cause the fish of thy riuers to sticke vnto thy scales, and I will drawe thee out of the middes of thy riuers, and all the fishe of thy riuers shall sticke vnto thy scales.
And I have put hooks in thy jaws, And I have caused the fish of thy floods to cleave to thy scales, And I have caused thee to come up from the midst of thy floods, And every fish of thy floods to thy scales doth cleave.
I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales. I will bring you up out of the middle of your rivers, with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales.
But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick to thy scales, and I will bring thee out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick to thy scales.
But I will put a bridle in thy jaws: and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick to thy scales: and I will draw thee out of the midst of thy rivers, and all thy fish shall stick to thy scales.
But it will be as though I will put hooks in your jaws and drag you out from the river onto the land, with fish sticking to your scales.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 29:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 29:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/נָתַתִּ֤י
חחיים
חַחִים֙
בִּ/לְחָיֶ֔י/ךָ
וְ/הִדְבַּקְתִּ֥י
דְגַת
יְאֹרֶ֖י/ךָ
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֑י/ךָ
וְ/הַעֲלִיתִ֨י/ךָ֙
מִ/תּ֣וֹךְ
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
וְ/אֵת֙
כָּל
דְּגַ֣ת
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֖י/ךָ
תִּדְבָּֽק
וְ/נָתַתִּ֤י
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
חחיים
châch
H2397
hook
N-mp
חַחִים֙
châch
H2397
hook
N-mp
בִּ/לְחָיֶ֔י/ךָ
lᵉchîy
H3895
jaw
Prep | N-cd | Suff
וְ/הִדְבַּקְתִּ֥י
dâbaq
H1692
to cleave
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
דְגַת
dâgâh
H1710
fish
N-fs
יְאֹרֶ֖י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֑י/ךָ
qasqeseth
H7193
scale
Prep | N-fp | Suff
וְ/הַעֲלִיתִ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs | Suff
מִ/תּ֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
N-mp | Suff
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
דְּגַ֣ת
dâgâh
H1710
fish
N-fs
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
stream
N-mp | Suff
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֖י/ךָ
qasqeseth
H7193
scale
Prep | N-fp | Suff
תִּדְבָּֽק
dâbaq
H1692
to cleave
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 29:4
וְ/נָתַתִּ֤י
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
חחיים
châch
H2397
"hook"
N-mp
A hook or ring, often referring to a nose ring or jewelry, like a bracelet or chain. It was also used to lead captive people.
Definition: 1) hook, ring, fetter, brooch 1a) hook, ring (in nose of captive) 1b) hook, ring (as jewellery) 1b1) nose ring 1b2) bracelet
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: bracelet, chain, hook. See also: Exodus 35:22; Ezekiel 19:4; Isaiah 37:29.
חַחִים֙
châch
H2397
"hook"
N-mp
A hook or ring, often referring to a nose ring or jewelry, like a bracelet or chain. It was also used to lead captive people.
Definition: 1) hook, ring, fetter, brooch 1a) hook, ring (in nose of captive) 1b) hook, ring (as jewellery) 1b1) nose ring 1b2) bracelet
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: bracelet, chain, hook. See also: Exodus 35:22; Ezekiel 19:4; Isaiah 37:29.
בִּ/לְחָיֶ֔י/ךָ
lᵉchîy
H3895
"jaw"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the jaw or cheek, often referring to the jawbone of an animal. It appears in the story of Samson, who used a donkey's jawbone to defeat 1000 men. The word is also used to describe the jawbone of animals in general.
Definition: 1) jaw, cheek 1a) jaw, jawbone (of animal) 1b) cheek (of man)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cheek (bone), jaw (bone). See also: Deuteronomy 18:3; Song of Solomon 1:10; Psalms 3:8.
וְ/הִדְבַּקְתִּ֥י
dâbaq
H1692
"to cleave"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
To cleave means to cling or stick to something, like pursuing something closely. It's used in the Bible to describe following God or others.
Definition: 1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cling, cleave to 1a2) to stay with 1b) (Pual) to be joined together 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cleave to 1c2) to pursue closely 1c3) to overtake 1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Samuel 20:2; Psalms 22:16.
דְגַת
dâgâh
H1710
"fish"
N-fs
This Hebrew word also means fish, similar to H1709, and is used to describe fish in the Bible, often in stories about fishing and the sea.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 1:26; Psalms 105:29; Isaiah 50:2.
יְאֹרֶ֖י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
N-mp | Suff
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֑י/ךָ
qasqeseth
H7193
"scale"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the scales of a fish or a coat of mail, like the armor worn by King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:38. It describes something that protects or covers. The KJV Bible translates it as mail or scale.
Definition: scale (of fish, water animals)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: mail, scale. See also: Leviticus 11:9; Deuteronomy 14:9; Ezekiel 29:4.
וְ/הַעֲלִיתִ֨י/ךָ֙
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs | Suff
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
מִ/תּ֣וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
N-mp | Suff
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
דְּגַ֣ת
dâgâh
H1710
"fish"
N-fs
This Hebrew word also means fish, similar to H1709, and is used to describe fish in the Bible, often in stories about fishing and the sea.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 1:26; Psalms 105:29; Isaiah 50:2.
יְאֹרֶ֔י/ךָ
yᵉʼôr
H2975
"stream"
N-mp | Suff
A stream or river, like the Nile, is what this word refers to. It can also mean a canal, watercourse, or even a mining shaft, emphasizing the flow of water.
Definition: 1) river, stream, canal, Nile, Nile-canal 1a) stream, river (Nile) 1b) Nile-arms, Nile-canals 1c) watercourses 1d) shafts (mining) 1e) river (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: brook, flood, river, stream. See also: Genesis 41:1; Psalms 78:44; Isaiah 7:18.
בְּ/קַשְׂקְשֹׂתֶ֖י/ךָ
qasqeseth
H7193
"scale"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to the scales of a fish or a coat of mail, like the armor worn by King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:38. It describes something that protects or covers. The KJV Bible translates it as mail or scale.
Definition: scale (of fish, water animals)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: mail, scale. See also: Leviticus 11:9; Deuteronomy 14:9; Ezekiel 29:4.
תִּדְבָּֽק
dâbaq
H1692
"to cleave"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To cleave means to cling or stick to something, like pursuing something closely. It's used in the Bible to describe following God or others.
Definition: 1) to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cling, cleave to 1a2) to stay with 1b) (Pual) to be joined together 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cleave to 1c2) to pursue closely 1c3) to overtake 1d) (Hophal) to be made to cleave Aramaic equivalent: de.vaq (דְּבֵק "to cleave" H1693)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Samuel 20:2; Psalms 22:16.
Study Notes — Ezekiel 29:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 29:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 29:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:4
- Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 29:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
- Sermons on Ezekiel 29:4
Context — A Prophecy against Pharaoh
2“Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.
3Speak to him and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies among his rivers, who says, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it myself.’
4But I will put hooks in your jaws and cause the fish of your streams to cling to your scales. I will haul you up out of your rivers, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales.
5I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air. 6Then all the people of Egypt will know that I am the LORD. For you were only a staff of reeds to the house of Israel.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 19:28 | Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’ |
| 2 | Ezekiel 38:4 | I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords. |
| 3 | Amos 4:2 | The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. |
| 4 | Job 41:1–2 | “Can you pull in Leviathan with a hook or tie down his tongue with a rope? Can you put a cord through his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? |
| 5 | Isaiah 37:29 | Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’ |
| 6 | Habakkuk 1:14–15 | You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler. The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. |
Ezekiel 29:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that God is in control, even of powerful leaders like Pharaoh, and that He can use His power to bring them down. Just like a fisherman uses a hook to catch a fish, God can use His power to catch and remove Pharaoh from his position of power, as seen in Ezekiel 29:4. This is a reminder that God is the one who is really in charge, and that we should trust in Him, not in our own strength or the strength of others, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. By trusting in God, we can find true security and strength, rather than relying on earthly powers or our own abilities, as encouraged in Psalms 37:3-7.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God to put hooks in Pharaoh's jaws?
This is a metaphor for God exerting His control over Pharaoh, much like a fisherman uses a hook to catch a fish, as seen in Ezekiel 29:4, and is reminiscent of God's power over all creation, as described in Psalms 104:29-30.
Why does God compare Pharaoh to a monster in the rivers?
God is emphasizing Pharaoh's self-proclaimed power and control over the Nile, as stated in Ezekiel 29:3, but also highlighting his eventual downfall, as prophesied in Ezekiel 29:4-5.
What is the significance of the fish clinging to Pharaoh's scales?
The fish represent the people of Egypt who are dependent on Pharaoh, and the image of them clinging to his scales suggests their shared fate, as both Pharaoh and his people will be affected by God's judgment, as seen in Ezekiel 29:4-5, and is a fulfillment of God's warnings in Deuteronomy 28:49-50.
How does this verse relate to God's larger plan for Israel?
This verse is part of God's prophecy against Egypt, which ultimately serves to demonstrate His power and care for Israel, as stated in Ezekiel 29:6, and is consistent with God's promise to bless those who bless Israel, as seen in Genesis 12:3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be relying on my own strength, like Pharaoh, rather than trusting in God's power?
- How can I apply the lesson of God's control over all creation, as seen in this verse, to my own life and circumstances?
- In what ways can I be a 'staff of reeds' to others, as Pharaoh was to Israel, and how can I instead be a source of strength and support?
- What are some 'rivers' or areas of my life where I may be feeling comfortable and secure, but where God may be calling me to surrender and trust in Him?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:4
But I will put hooks in thy jaws,.... The allusion is to fishhooks, which are taken by fishes with the bait into their mouths, and stick in their jaws, by which they are drawn out of the river, and taken.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 29:4
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
Thou art secure against all, but God will draw thee out of thy river to thy ruin. Hooks; the allegory is continued; fish are drawn out with hooks and lines, and God hath hooks for this proud dragon, first Areasis, and next the Babylonian king. The expedition of Areasis at the head of the Cyreneans and Grecians, and the event of it, is exactly represented in this hieroglyphic in the text. Amasis with those forces mastered Libya, the king thereof applies for help to this Pharaoh, he gathers all the power of Egypt out of Egypt with him into Cyrene, where he was defeated, lost all but a few that fled with him, and on this occasion the Egyptians rebelled against him: now this short history opens the parable. The first hook you see in the jaws of this dragon, this drew him out of his river, i.e. his kingdom. The fish; these are the people of Egypt, the subjects of this kingdom. To stick unto thy scales; to adhere to their king in this war. I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers; both the king and his subjects, which made up his army, go out of the rivers, leave Egypt, and march into Cyrene (which was part of that kingdom now called Bares) with their king, as if they had been little fishes on the back of a mighty one. Thus far the emblem; the rest follows.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
Ezekiel 29:4 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.Ver. 4. But I will put hooks in thy jaws.] Speaking to Tyre, a sea town, sea metaphors were made use of. Now he fetcheth them from waters and fishes, that he may frame himself to his hearers. A good precedent for preachers. To stick unto thy scales.] Thy subjects shall all follow thee into the field, that there you may all fall together. Had they kept themselves in Egypt, they might have been far safer; for that country could hardly be come at by an enemy. But they went forth to meet their bane, as if they had been ambitions of destruction. God had a holy hand in it.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
(4) Hooks in thy jaws.—An allusion to the ancient way of taking and destroying the crocodile, otherwise invulnerable to their arms. Fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.—As the crocodile, the lord of the Nile, represents the royal power of Egypt, so the fish represent the people dependent upon him. Pharaoh is not to fall alone, but shall drag his people with him into a common ruin.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
Verse 4. I will put hooks in thy jaws] Amasis, one of this king's generals, being proclaimed king by an insurrection of the people, dethroned Apries, and seized upon the kingdom; and Apries was obliged to flee to Upper Egypt for safety. I will cause the fish - to stick unto thy scales] Most fish are sorely troubled with a species of insect which bury their heads in their flesh, under their scales, and suck out the vital juices. The allusion seems to be to this. Pharaoh was the crocodile; the fish, the common people; and the sticking to his scales, the insurrection by which he was wasted and despoiled of his kingdom.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:4
4. with hooks. This is suggested by the monster inhabiting the waters. Possibly the crocodile was occasionally caught with hooks, as Herodotus affirms (cf. ch. Ezekiel 32:3), although Job 41:1 seems to doubt the practicability of it. On “hooks,” ch. Ezekiel 38:4; Isaiah 37:29. fish of thy rivers] A figure for the population of the country of rivers; hardly merely for the army of Pharaoh.
Barnes' Notes on Ezekiel 29:4
Hooks in thy jaws - Compare Job 41:2. The crocodile is thus rendered an easy prey. Fish of thy rivers - i. e., the allies of Egypt shall be involved in her ruin.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:4
4. I will put hooks in thy jaws — So the crocodile was sometimes caught (Herodotus, 2:70).
Sermons on Ezekiel 29:4
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Significance of Israel 1980 by Lance Lambert | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision from the book of Daniel in which a son of man is given dominion and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. The preacher then connec |
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When Compassion Offends God by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the divine order and clockwork of the universe. He emphasizes that despite our discussions and disputes about what is right and wrong, the |
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God of Our Monsters by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God uses the imagery of the hippopotamus and crocodile to illustrate the overwhelming problems, or 'monsters', that Job faces in his life. These cre |