Topical Encyclopedia Egypt, one of the most prominent nations in biblical history, is frequently depicted as a symbol of pride and arrogance. This portrayal is consistent throughout the Scriptures, where Egypt's power and self-reliance often lead to its downfall and serve as a cautionary tale for the people of God.Historical Context Egypt was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, known for its advanced civilization, wealth, and military prowess. The nation was often seen as a refuge and a place of abundance, yet its rulers and people were frequently characterized by a sense of self-sufficiency and pride that stood in opposition to the sovereignty of God. Biblical References 1. Pharaoh's Arrogance: The Pharaohs of Egypt are often depicted as epitomes of arrogance. In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites despite the plagues demonstrates his hardened heart and pride. Exodus 5:2 records Pharaoh's dismissive response to Moses: "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go." 2. Egypt's Reliance on Its Own Strength: Egypt's confidence in its own strength and resources is highlighted in Isaiah 30:1-3 , where the prophet warns against relying on Egypt for help: "Woe to the obstinate children, declares the LORD, who carry out a plan that is not Mine, forming an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. They set out to go down to Egypt without consulting Me, to seek help from Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace." 3. Symbol of Worldly Pride: Egypt is often used as a symbol of worldly pride and opposition to God. In Ezekiel 29:3 , God speaks against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, saying, "I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster lying in the midst of his rivers, who has said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it for myself.’" This statement reflects Egypt's self-glorification and denial of God's sovereignty. 4. Judgment on Egypt: The prophets frequently pronounce judgment on Egypt for its arrogance. In Jeremiah 46:8 , Egypt is described as rising like the Nile, boasting of its power: "Egypt rises like the Nile, and its waters churn like rivers, boasting, ‘I will rise and cover the earth; I will destroy the cities and their people.’" Yet, this pride leads to its downfall, as God declares His judgment upon the nation. 5. A Warning to Israel: Egypt's pride serves as a warning to Israel and other nations. In Isaiah 31:1 , the prophet cautions against relying on Egypt: "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the great strength of horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD." Theological Implications The depiction of Egypt as proud and arrogant serves as a reminder of the dangers of self-reliance and the rejection of God's authority. Throughout the Bible, Egypt's fate illustrates the consequences of pride and the futility of trusting in human power over divine guidance. The narrative of Egypt challenges believers to place their trust in God rather than in worldly strength and to recognize the sovereignty of the Lord over all nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 29:3Speak, and say, Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lies in the middle of his rivers, which has said, My river is my own, and I have made it for myself. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezekiel 30:6 Library Psalm CVII. Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece. Divine Destruction and Protection Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy. The Epistle of Judas The Letter of the Church of Rome 1 Cor. I. 3-Jan Book iii. Luther's Separation from Rome. Luther's Separation from Rome Resources What is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org How many Israelites left Egypt in the exodus? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Egypt: A Small Stream Flowing Into the Mediterranean Sea Egypt: As a Power Was: Ambitious of Conquests Egypt: As a Power Was: Pompous Egypt: As a Power Was: Proud and Arrogant Egypt: As a Power Was: Treacherous Egypt: Called: House of Bondmen Egypt: Called: The Land of Ham Egypt: Celebrated For: Commerce Egypt: Celebrated For: Fertility Egypt: Celebrated For: Fine Horses Egypt: Celebrated For: Fine Linen Egypt: Celebrated For: Literature Egypt: had Princes and Counsellors Egypt: Idolatry of, Followed by Israel Egypt: Inhabitants of Abhorred Shepherds Egypt: Inhabitants of Abhorred the Sacrifice of Oxen Egypt: Inhabitants of Hospitable Egypt: Inhabitants of Might be Received Into the Congregation in the Third Egypt: Inhabitants of not to be Abhorred by Israel Egypt: Inhabitants of Often Intermarried With Strangers Egypt: Inhabitants of Superstitious Egypt: Inundations of, Alluded To Egypt: Israel in Benjamin Brought Egypt: Israel in Date of the Exodus Egypt: Israel in Destruction of the First-Born Egypt: Israel in Egypt is Plagued for Pharaoh's Obstinacy Egypt: Israel in Israel Driven out of Egypt: Israel in Israel Increases and are Oppressed Egypt: Israel in Israel Placed in the Land of Goshen Egypt: Israel in Israel Spoils the Egyptians Egypt: Israel in Jacob Presented to Pharaoh Egypt: Israel in Jacob's Death and Burial Egypt: Israel in Jacob's Journey Egypt: Israel in Joseph Counsels Pharaoh Egypt: Israel in Joseph Enriches the King Egypt: Israel in Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams Egypt: Israel in Joseph Interprets the Chief Baker's and the Chief Butler's Egypt: Israel in Joseph Made Governor Egypt: Israel in Joseph Makes Himself Known to his Brethren Egypt: Israel in Joseph Recognizes his Brethren Egypt: Israel in Joseph Sends for his Father Egypt: Israel in Joseph Sold Into Egypt: Israel in Joseph Unjustly Cast Into Prison Egypt: Israel in Joseph's Successful Provision Against the Years of Famine Egypt: Israel in Joseph's Ten Brethren Arrive Egypt: Israel in Male Children Destroyed Egypt: Israel in Moses Adopted and Brought up by Pharaoh's Daughter Egypt: Israel in Moses Born and Hid for Three Months Egypt: Israel in Moses Exposed on the Nile Egypt: Israel in Moses Flies to Midian Egypt: Israel in Moses Proves his Divine Mission by Miracles Egypt: Israel in Moses Sent to Pharaoh Egypt: Israel in Moses Slays an Egyptian Egypt: Israel in Pharaoh Increases Their Affliction Egypt: Israel in Pharaoh Invites Jacob Into Egypt: Israel in Pharaoh Pursues Israel and is Miraculously Destroyed Egypt: Israel in Potiphar Blessed for Joseph's Sake Egypt: Israel in The Passover Instituted Egypt: Israel in Their Sojourn in It, Foretold Egypt: Mode of Entertaining In Egypt: Often a Refuge to Strangers Egypt: Peopled by Mizraim's Posterity Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Allies to Share Its Misfortunes Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Armies Destroyed by Babylon Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Captivity of Its People Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Christ to be Called out of Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Civil War and Domestic Strife Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Conversion of Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Cities Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Idols Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction of Its Power Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Dismay of Its Inhabitants Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Ever to be a Base Kingdom Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Failure of Internal Resources Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Infatuation of Its Princes Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Invasion by Babylon Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Prophetic Illustration of Its Destruction Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Spoil of, a Reward to Babylon for Services Against Tyre Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Terror Occasioned by Its Fall Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: The Jews Who Practised Its Idolatry to Share Its Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: To be Numbered and Blessed Along With Israel Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Utter Desolation of, for Forty Years Egypt: Religion of, Idolatrous Egypt: Ruled by Kings Who Assumed the Name of Pharaoh Egypt: Sometimes Visited by Famine Egypt: The Armies of Assistance of, Sought by Judah Against the Chaldees Egypt: The Armies of Besieged and Plundered Jerusalem in Rehoboam's Time Egypt: The Armies of Captured and Burned Gezer Egypt: The Armies of Deposed Jehoahaz and Made Judea Tributary Egypt: The Armies of Described Egypt: The Armies of Destroyed in the Red Sea Egypt: The Armies of Invaded Assyria and Killed Josiah Who Assisted It Egypt: The Country of: Abraham Lives In Egypt: The Country of: Armies of Egypt: The Country of: Army of Destroyed in the Red Sea Egypt: The Country of: Called Rahab Egypt: The Country of: Civil War In Egypt: The Country of: Exports of Egypt: The Country of: Famine In Egypt: The Country of: Fertility of Egypt: The Country of: Idols of Egypt: The Country of: Imports of Egypt: The Country of: Irrigation Employed In Egypt: The Country of: Joseph Takes Jesus To Egypt: The Country of: Land of Ham Egypt: The Country of: Limits of Egypt: The Country of: Magi of Egypt: The Country of: of Horses Egypt: The Country of: Overflowed by the Nile River Egypt: The Country of: Priests of Egypt: The Country of: Productions of Egypt: The Country of: Prophecies Against Egypt: The Country of: Symbolical Egypt: The Country of: The King Acquires Title to Land of Related Terms Chushanrishathaim (2 Occurrences) Chushan-rishathaim (2 Occurrences) |
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