Ezekiel 29:20

20 I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 29:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Yes, I have given him the land of Egypt as a reward for his work, says the Sovereign LORD, because he was working for me when he destroyed Tyre.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 He's been working for me all these years without pay. This is his pay: Egypt. Decree of God, the Master.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his recompense for which he served, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord Jehovah.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 I have given him Egypt as pay for what he has done. Nebuchadnezzar and his army worked for me, declares the Almighty LORD.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 I have given him the land of Egypt as the pay he labored for, since they worked for Me." [This is] the declaration of the Lord God .
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 I have given Egypt to him as a reward for his efforts. After all, he and his army attacked Egypt because I told them to," announces the LORD and King.

Ezekiel 29:20 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 29:20

I have given him the land of Egypt for labour wherewith he
served against it,
That is, against Tyre; meaning not Nebuchadnezzar merely or only, but his army also, who did the main of the service and labour, and had the plunder of the country for it; though the kingdom itself was given to their king, and annexed to his monarchy: because they wrought for me, saith the Lord God;
not intentionally, but eventually; they did not design to do any service for God; they only sought to serve themselves with the riches and wealth of those they subdued; and yet while they besieged Tyre, and when they took it, and while they were ravaging, plundering, and subduing Egypt, they were doing the Lord's will and work, and executing his righteous judgments on these enemies of his for their sins; wherefore he rewarded them sufficiently: none ever are employed by him but he gives them their wages; even though they are wicked and ungodly men, verily they have their reward.

Ezekiel 29:20 In-Context

18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon drove his army in a hard campaign against Tyre; every head was rubbed bare and every shoulder made raw. Yet he and his army got no reward from the campaign he led against Tyre.
19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as pay for his army.
20 I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign LORD.
21 “On that day I will make a horn grow for the Israelites, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Isaiah 43:3
  • 2. Isaiah 10:6-7; Isaiah 45:1; S Jeremiah 25:9
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