Reading for April 11th

Seven oracles concerning Egypt and its rulers.
Chs. 29-32 Egypt played a major role in instigating the revolt against its enemy Babylon.
When Pharaoh Hophra attempted to relieve Jerusalem from the Babylonian siege in 588 BCE,
he was repulsed (Jer 37; 44.30; see also Jer 32).

Read Ezekiel 29.1-16 The first oracle concerning Egypt.
In verses 1-3a in the tenth year ... tenth month ... the twelfth day: January 7, 587 BCE.
In verses 3b-7 Ezekiel addresses Pharaoh, probably Hophra, after his failed attempt
to rescue Jerusalem.
The greater dragon: Egypt is compared to a dragon in Isa 11.15, which employs the imagery of the seven-headed Leviathan (Lothan) of Canaanite mythology, and in Isa 30.7 to the sea dragon Rahab (see also Isa 51.9-10; Job 9-13; 26. 12-13; Ps 89.9-10).
The Nile River is the source of Egypt's life.
As staff of reed to the house of Israel symbolizes an unreliable support
(compare Isa 36.6; Kings 18.21).
In verses 8-12 Egypt's judgment results from Pharaoh's claim that the Nile is his and not God's (28.2).
From Migdol to Syene: Cities that define the northern and southern borders of Egypt.
Forty years: Forty is a common number for a complete and lengthy period of time
(Num 14.33; Judg 3.31; 1 Kings 2.11).
In verses 13-16 like Israel after it had been punished (28.25-26), Egypt will be restored to its land as a minor kingdom.
The prophet clearly has in mind Egypt's failure to aid Israel in its time of need.
Pathros: Upper Egypt, the southern portion of the kingdom.
In Egypt, "up" is south (upstream on the Nile) and "down" is north (downstream of the Nile).
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