“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to your greatness?
Parallel translations
- WEB Son of man, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude: Whom are you like in your greatness?
- KJV Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
- NKJV “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
- NASB “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
- NLT “Son of man, give this message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and all his hordes: “To whom would you compare your greatness?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God asks Pharaoh and his multitude whom they resemble in their greatness. The question invites comparison with a fallen empire.
Overview
The Lord poses a probing question to Pharaoh about the source and security of his greatness. This rhetorical opening sets up the comparison with Assyria, a once-mighty power now fallen. By asking "whom are you like," God prepares to teach Egypt that its grandeur is neither unique nor secure.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ezek 29:19Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, who will carry off its wealth, seize its spoil, and remove its plunder. This will be the wages for his army.
- Ezek 30:10This is what the Lord GOD says: I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
- Ezek 31:18Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’”
- Nah 3:8–10Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water?
- Isa 14:13–14You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.
- Jer 1:17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.
- Rev 10:11And they told me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
- Jer 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 31:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.