“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in 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?
- BSB “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Who can be compared to 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 thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off her multitude, and take her plunder, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army.
- Ezek 30:10Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I will also make the multitude of Egypt to cease, by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
- Ezek 31:18To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the lower parts of the earth: you shall lie in the middle of the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, says the Lord Yahweh.
- Nah 3:8–10Are you better than No-Amon, who was situated among the rivers, who had the waters around her; whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was of the sea?
- Isa 14:13–14You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north!
- Jer 1:17“You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them.
- Rev 10:11They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”
- Jer 1:5“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you 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.