Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary
Ezekiel 29
Three chapters we had concerning Tyre and its king; next follow four chapters concerning Egypt and its king. This is the first of them. Egypt had formerly been a house of bondage to God’s people; of late they had had but too friendly a correspondence with it, and had depended too much upon it; and therefore, whether the prediction reached Egypt or no, it would be of use to Israel, to take them off from their confidence in their alliance with it. The prophecies against Egypt, which are all laid together in these four chapters, were of five several dates; the first in the 10th year of the captivity (Ezekiel 29:1), the second in the 27th (Ezekiel 29:17), the third in the 11th year and the first month (Ezekiel 30:20), the fourth in the 11th year and the third month (Ezekiel 31:1), the fifth in the 12th year (Ezekiel 32:1), and another in the same year, Ezekiel 29:17. In this chapter we have, I. The destruction of Pharaoh foretold, for his dealing deceitfully with Israel, Ezekiel 29:1-29:7. II. The desolation of the land of Egypt foretold, Ezekiel 29:8-29:12. III. A promise of the restoration thereof, in part, after forty years, Ezekiel 29:13-29:16. IV. The possession that should be given to Nebuchadnezzar of the land of Egypt, Ezekiel 29:17-29:20. V. A promise of mercy to Israel, Ezekiel 29:21. MHBCC 832.1