Ezekiel 29 17

Ezekiel 29:17

ESV: In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:

KJV: And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

NIV: In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month on the first day, the word of the LORD came to me:

NKJV: And it came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

NLT: On April 26, the first day of the new year, during the twenty-seventh year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, this message came to me from the LORD:

Meaning

This verse serves as a precise chronological superscription, marking the exact date when the prophet Ezekiel received a new divine message. It signifies a specific point in the ongoing Babylonian exile where God communicates a significant clarification or expansion, particularly concerning Egypt's ultimate role in His plans. The meticulous dating underscores God's sovereignty over time and history, and the absolute authority of the divine revelation that follows.

Cross References

Context

Ezekiel 29:17 serves as a distinct chronological marker within the book of Ezekiel. It precedes a crucial prophecy (Ezekiel 29:18-20) that revisits and expands upon the judgment previously declared against Egypt (Ezekiel 29:1-16; chapters 30-32). The historical setting is the Babylonian exile, with Ezekiel prophesying to fellow exiles by the river Chebar. At this specific time, the Babylonian siege of Tyre had been exceptionally long and arduous, ultimately yielding little direct plunder for Nebuchadnezzar's army. The people of Judah, some of whom still held false hopes for aid from Egypt against Babylon, needed divine clarification. This oracle reveals God's meticulous plans, even among foreign nations and their leaders, and sets the stage for a promise: Egypt would be given to Nebuchadnezzar as compensation for his costly, yet God-ordained, campaign against Tyre.

Word analysis

• In the twenty-seventh year (בָּעֶשְׂרִים וָשֶׁבַע֙ - bā-‘eśrîm wāšeḇa‘): This is a precise chronological marker. It calculates 27 years from the initial captivity of King Jehoiachin, a consistent reference point for Ezekiel (Ezek 1:2). This dates the prophecy to around 571 BCE, making it one of the latest specifically dated oracles recorded in Ezekiel, particularly among those concerning foreign nations. The late date signifies God's long-term engagement with global events and the continued unfolding of His prophetic word, even years after major judgments have already been declared.
• in the first month (בָּרִאשׁ֖וֹן - bā-rîšōwn): This refers to the month of Nisan (or Abib), which, in the Israelite sacred calendar, marked the beginning of the religious year (Ex 12:2). Its mention signifies a period of new beginnings or renewed divine activity.
• on the first day of the month (בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ - bə’eḥāḏ laḥōḏeš): This highly specific dating (year, month, day) further emphasizes precision. The first day of the first month (Nisan 1) was a symbolically significant day in Israel's history, often associated with foundational acts like the dedication of the Tabernacle (Ex 40:2, 40:17) and priestly consecrations. It points to a clear and deliberate divine initiative.
• the word of the LORD (דְבַר־יְהוָ֣ה - dəḇar YHWH): This is the quintessential prophetic formula. "Word" (dāḇār) conveys an active, potent message, not mere sound or idea. "LORD" (YHWH), the covenant name of God, underscores His authoritative and personal relationship with His people and His absolute sovereignty over all creation. This phrase consistently emphasizes the divine origin and therefore absolute authority of the message that follows, differentiating it from human opinion or speculation.
• came to me (אֵלַי֩ הָיָ֖ה - ’êlay hāyâ): This phrase highlights the direct, personal nature of the revelation to Ezekiel. It signifies that the message was uniquely received by the prophet, validating his role as God's designated messenger and confirming divine communication through him specifically.
• saying, (לֵאמֹֽר׃ - lē’mōr): This is a common Hebrew particle indicating that a direct quotation of God's message follows. It further reinforces the direct speech and authoritative nature of the ensuing prophecy, leaving no doubt that these are God's own words.

• "In the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, on the first day of the month": This meticulously detailed dating—year, month, and day—functions as a powerful witness to God's precise control over time and historical events. It is a polemic against any notion of arbitrary or coincidental occurrences, demonstrating that even during the exilic period, God's prophetic plan was unfolding with deliberate intent. This specificity also anchors the prophecy firmly in history, asserting its veracity and rejecting vague, unverifiable predictions.
• "the word of the LORD came to me, saying,": This traditional prophetic formula profoundly asserts the divine origin and authority of the message. It highlights that the subsequent words are not Ezekiel's human musings or political analyses but direct revelations from Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. In a context where false prophets might offer popular but uninspired messages, this phrase unequivocally states that God alone is speaking, and through His chosen prophet. It also shows God's initiative in reaching out to His people and the world.

Commentary

Ezekiel 29:17 functions as a crucial historical and theological waypoint within the prophet's collection of divine oracles. The highly specific dating, down to the year, month, and day, is not merely for chronological record-keeping but serves to underline the precision of God's timing and His active engagement with historical developments. This particular date, occurring relatively late in Ezekiel's prophetic ministry concerning foreign nations, signals an important divine clarification about the long and unrewarded Babylonian campaign against Tyre, a campaign often overlooked by the exiles focusing on Jerusalem's fall. The repeated phrase, "the word of the LORD came to me," firmly establishes that the subsequent explanation is not a human deduction but an authoritative revelation from the sovereign God. It reassures a bewildered exilic community that even seemingly illogical or delayed events, like Nebuchadnezzar's empty-handed victory, are woven into God's comprehensive, just, and unfolding plan, affirming that He provides for all who unwittingly or wittingly serve His purposes.

Bonus section

The "twenty-seventh year" of Jehoiachin's captivity (circa 571 BCE) places this oracle after the fall of Jerusalem (586 BCE) and notably after the siege of Tyre (586-573 BCE), which spanned 13 years and proved immensely costly for Nebuchadnezzar. The unique aspect of this dating is its specific relation to the fulfillment or lack thereof regarding Nebuchadnezzar's prior efforts. The oracle that follows (Ezek 29:18-20) addresses this historical reality by explaining that Egypt would be given to Babylon as recompense. This demonstrates God's comprehensive oversight of international politics, orchestrating even the movements of pagan kings to serve His righteous judgment and reward. The exact timing provides a tangible anchor to real-world events, bolstering the credibility of Ezekiel's prophetic message against contemporary skepticism or reliance on unreliable human analysis. It also indicates that God is attentive to the efforts of those who, even unwittingly, carry out His will.

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