Topical Bible: Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Captivity of Its People

◄ Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Captivity of Its People ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The nation of Egypt holds a significant place in biblical prophecy, particularly concerning the captivity and subjugation of its people. Throughout the Scriptures, Egypt is often depicted as a powerful nation, yet one that is subject to divine judgment due to its idolatry and opposition to God's people. Several prophecies in the Bible foretell the captivity and humbling of Egypt, emphasizing the sovereignty of God over nations.

Prophecies in the Book of Isaiah

The prophet Isaiah speaks extensively about Egypt's future, highlighting both its downfall and eventual restoration. In Isaiah 19:1-4, the Lord declares judgment upon Egypt, stating, "See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them. I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian—brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. The Egyptians will lose heart, and I will bring their plans to nothing; they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead, the mediums and the spiritists. I will hand the Egyptians over to a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty."

This passage indicates internal strife and the eventual subjugation of Egypt under a harsh ruler, symbolizing the nation's captivity and loss of autonomy.

Prophecies in the Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah also prophesies about Egypt's captivity. In Jeremiah 46:25-26, the Lord proclaims, "The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: 'I am about to punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods, and her kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past,' declares the LORD."

Here, the prophecy specifically mentions the Babylonian conquest under Nebuchadnezzar, which historically led to the captivity and decline of Egypt's power. The mention of Egypt being inhabited "as in times past" suggests a future restoration, but only after a period of judgment and captivity.

Prophecies in the Book of Ezekiel

Ezekiel provides further insight into Egypt's fate. In Ezekiel 29:19-20, the Lord says, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth, seizing its spoil and taking its plunder. This will be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his reward for the labor he performed against Tyre, because they worked for Me,' declares the Lord GOD."

This prophecy underscores the divine orchestration behind Egypt's captivity, as God uses Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of judgment. The passage highlights the transfer of Egypt's wealth and people into the hands of Babylon, marking a significant period of captivity and subjugation.

Historical Fulfillment and Theological Implications

The prophecies concerning Egypt's captivity were fulfilled historically through various conquests, most notably by the Babylonians and later by the Persians and Greeks. These events serve as a testament to the accuracy of biblical prophecy and the overarching theme of God's control over the nations. The captivity of Egypt is a reminder of the consequences of idolatry and opposition to God's will, as well as the hope of eventual restoration for those who turn back to Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 20:4
So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 46:19,24,26
O you daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish yourself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 30:4
And the sword shall come on Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... Egypt, on the south, was also a mighty empire ... upon several interesting critical
inquiries respecting the component ... is not one of the minor prophecies that has ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... As the superscription is silent respecting any prophecies uttered ... chap.1:3); and
afterwards in Egypt, whither he ... The prophecies of Jeremiah do not contain so ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Index of Subjects.
... writers, 366; its introduction into Asia and Egypt, 367 ... Mottoes, remarks respecting,
533. ... quotations for argument, 637; of Old Testament prophecies referring to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... only a summary of his prophecies, prepared perhaps ... the celebrated metropolis of upper
Egypt, also called ... 16. Respecting Habakkuk's personal history we have no ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... is there made to write to Egypt in the year ... it is true, were still expressed respecting
certain books ... though the length of individual prophecies and similarity ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Opinions
... the house of Elias, whose tradition respecting the millennium ... the chief in their
estimation, and Egypt will be ... not that those very clear prophecies of events ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the opinions.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... Syrian monarchy, or perhaps Syria and Egypt. ... absorbed in calculations beforehand
respecting its dates is ... in the interpretation of those prophecies which relate ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... Hosea, his prophecies respecting the things of the gospel, [858]375 ... elevation of,
to be ruler of Egypt, [937]363 ... of [978]343; promises of God respecting, [979]348 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... an argument at this point respecting the believer's ... these Ishmaelites were journeying
to Egypt, which was ... and literal fulfilment of these prophecies we have ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... it by pretending to fulfill the Messianic prophecies in a ... that M. Renan has been
silent respecting every idea ... to any thing in Chaldea and in Egypt." And this ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm