Ezekiel 32:12
By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
Ezekiel 32:12 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall, the terrible of the nations, all of them: and they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed" is a prophecy of destruction for Egypt. In this verse, God is foretelling that Egypt will be defeated by the powerful nations and their armies. The "swords of the mighty" represent the strength and military power of the nations that will bring about the downfall of Egypt. The "terrible of the nations" refers to the fierce and formidable enemies that Egypt will face in battle. The phrase "they shall spoil the pomp of Egypt" indicates that Egypt's wealth, riches, and glory will be plundered and destroyed. Ultimately, the verse speaks of the complete destruction and downfall of Egypt and its people at the hands of powerful foreign invaders, as a consequence of their sins and transgressions.
Theological Overview
This verse, found in Ezekiel 32:12, speaks to the impending downfall of Egypt at the hands of mighty nations. The use of swords symbolizes the strength and power of these nations, highlighting their capability to bring about destruction. The term "terrible of the nations" emphasizes the fear and awe that these nations instill in others, underscoring the magnitude of the threat they pose to Egypt. The word "spoils" suggests that Egypt will suffer not only military defeat but also loss of wealth and prestige. The phrase "all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed" reinforces the severity of the judgment that Egypt will face. In a theological interpretation, this verse can be seen as a warning against pride and reliance on worldly power, as ultimately, God's judgment is unavoidable for those who do not align themselves with His will. The imagery of swords and mighty nations serves as a reminder of the transience of human kingdoms and the inevitable consequences of disobedience.
Ezekiel 32:12 in other translations
American Standard Version
By the swords of the mighty will I cause thy multitude to fall; the terrible of the nations are they all: and they shall bring to nought the pride of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
World English Bible
By the swords of the mighty will I cause your multitude to fall; the terrible of the nations are they all: and they shall bring to nothing the pride of Egypt, and all its multitude shall be destroyed.
Douay-Rheims
By the swords of the mighty I will overthrow thy multitude: all these nations are invincible: and they shall waste the pride of Egypt, and the multitude thereof shall be destroyed.
Geneva Bible (1599)
By the swordes of the mightie will I cause thy multitude to fall: they all shall be terrible nations, and they shall destroy the pompe of Egypt, and all the multitude thereof shalbe consumed.