Definition: At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 30:18. It's a really significant passage about God’s plan to liberate Egypt! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is going to finally free the people of Egypt from their oppression and slavery. Let’s unpack each part: “At Tehaphnehes also…” – This is a fancy way of saying “at the end of the day” or “in the evening.” “…when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt…” – “Yokes” refer to the teams of oxen used in pulling heavy loads. God intends to break these yokes, meaning to liberate the people from being forced to work. It’s a symbolic breaking of chains and restrictions. “…and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her…” – “Pomp” means grand display, power, or might. This means Egypt’s powerful armies and rulers will lose their confidence and authority. Their impressive displays of strength will diminish. “As for her, a cloud shall cover her…” – Imagine a huge, dark cloud covering the land - a protective shield. “…and her daughters shall go into captivity.” – This means that Egypt will be banished from its land and forced to live elsewhere, likely in exile or under different rule. Putting it all together: God is going to use a period of darkness (the “tehaphnehes” part) to demonstrate his power and force. He’s going to break the bonds of slavery and control that Egypt has held for so long, and he’ll shield it from its own strength with a cloud, leading to its exile. Why is this important? This verse is often seen as a foreshadowing of God’s ultimate victory over evil and oppression in the world – including nations and people. It's a powerful message of hope for those who are suffering under injustice. In short: God is setting things right by freeing Egypt through his power, and then sending it to a place of exile as a consequence. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts in more detail? Give you a little background on the context of Ezekiel 30:18?