Ezekiel 17:15 - But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?
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What does "Ezekiel 17:15" mean?
Ezekiel 17 is an allegory, a symbolic story, about the kingdom of Judah's unfaithfulness to Babylon. This specific verse, Ezekiel 17:15, points to a specific action that is a violation of the oath Judah made to Babylon. Let's break it down:
"But he rebelled against him...": "He" refers to Zedekiah, the king of Judah. "Him" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who had placed Zedekiah on the throne as a vassal king. This is the core act of defiance. Zedekiah is breaking his oath of allegiance.
"...in sending his ambassadors into Egypt...": This describes the specific act of rebellion. Zedekiah sent envoys to Egypt to seek military assistance. Egypt was Babylon's rival and a long-standing power in the region.
"...that they might give him horses and many people.": This explains why Zedekiah sent ambassadors. He wanted Egypt to provide him with horses (a key component of a military force) and soldiers (many people) to help him overthrow Babylonian rule. In short, he was seeking a military alliance against Babylon.
"Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?": These are rhetorical questions expressing the prophet's certainty that Zedekiah will not prosper and will not escape the consequences of his actions. The questions emphasize the gravity of his breach of covenant. He has broken his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, an oath made in God's name (implied). He thinks he can get away with betraying his sworn word and betraying God.
In essence, the verse means:
Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (who had placed him in power) by seeking military help from Egypt to overthrow Babylon. The prophet is condemning this action, stating that Zedekiah will not succeed and will not escape punishment because he has broken his oath and betrayed his covenant with Babylon (and implicitly with God).
Significance in the Context of Ezekiel:
The allegory is designed to show Judah's unfaithfulness and the inevitable consequences of their actions. Zedekiah's rebellion and reliance on Egypt rather than trusting in God are seen as foolish and doomed to fail. The breaking of the covenant is a serious violation, and the prophet is emphasizing that God will hold Zedekiah accountable. This verse foreshadows Zedekiah's downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian exile.
Ezekiel 17:15 - But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and many people. Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?
What does "Ezekiel 17:15" mean?
Ezekiel 17 is an allegory, a symbolic story, about the kingdom of Judah's unfaithfulness to Babylon. This specific verse, Ezekiel 17:15, points to a specific action that is a violation of the oath Judah made to Babylon. Let's break it down:
"But he rebelled against him...": "He" refers to Zedekiah, the king of Judah. "Him" refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, who had placed Zedekiah on the throne as a vassal king. This is the core act of defiance. Zedekiah is breaking his oath of allegiance.
"...in sending his ambassadors into Egypt...": This describes the specific act of rebellion. Zedekiah sent envoys to Egypt to seek military assistance. Egypt was Babylon's rival and a long-standing power in the region.
"...that they might give him horses and many people.": This explains why Zedekiah sent ambassadors. He wanted Egypt to provide him with horses (a key component of a military force) and soldiers (many people) to help him overthrow Babylonian rule. In short, he was seeking a military alliance against Babylon.
"Will he prosper? Will he who does such things escape? Will he break the covenant, and still escape?": These are rhetorical questions expressing the prophet's certainty that Zedekiah will not prosper and will not escape the consequences of his actions. The questions emphasize the gravity of his breach of covenant. He has broken his oath to Nebuchadnezzar, an oath made in God's name (implied). He thinks he can get away with betraying his sworn word and betraying God.
In essence, the verse means:
Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar (who had placed him in power) by seeking military help from Egypt to overthrow Babylon. The prophet is condemning this action, stating that Zedekiah will not succeed and will not escape punishment because he has broken his oath and betrayed his covenant with Babylon (and implicitly with God).
Significance in the Context of Ezekiel:
The allegory is designed to show Judah's unfaithfulness and the inevitable consequences of their actions. Zedekiah's rebellion and reliance on Egypt rather than trusting in God are seen as foolish and doomed to fail. The breaking of the covenant is a serious violation, and the prophet is emphasizing that God will hold Zedekiah accountable. This verse foreshadows Zedekiah's downfall, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian exile.