Ezekiel 17:15 Meaning and Explanation
“But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Zedekiah secretly sought Egyptian military support, breaking his oath to Babylon; the text questions whether such rebellion can succeed.
The Context of Ezekiel 17:15
Zedekiah's failed rebellion: the alliance with Egypt that sealed Judah's fate.
What Does Ezekiel 17:15 Mean?
Zedekiah's rebellion was explicit: he sent envoys to Egypt requesting 'horses and much people'—military aid to resist Babylon. This was not mere hesitation or wavering loyalty; it was deliberate covenant-breaking. The ambassadors represent a calculated political reversal, an attempt to switch allegiances and escape Babylon's dominion.
The rhetorical questions reveal the answer's inevitability. Will he prosper? Will he escape? Will breaking covenant and seeking deliverance from Egypt work? The questions demand a 'No.' The entire passage has established that this rebellion violates oaths, betrays God's patience, and invites destruction that no foreign power can prevent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 17:15
What does Ezekiel 17:15 mean?
Zedekiah secretly sought Egyptian military support, breaking his oath to Babylon; the text questions whether such rebellion can succeed.
What is the context of Ezekiel 17:15?
Zedekiah's failed rebellion: the alliance with Egypt that sealed Judah's fate.