Ezekiel 29 12

Ezekiel 29:12 kjv

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

Ezekiel 29:12 nkjv

I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and among the cities that are laid waste, her cities shall be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries."

Ezekiel 29:12 niv

I will make the land of Egypt desolate among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.

Ezekiel 29:12 esv

And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries.

Ezekiel 29:12 nlt

I will make Egypt desolate, and it will be surrounded by other desolate nations. Its cities will be empty and desolate for forty years, surrounded by other ruined cities. I will scatter the Egyptians to distant lands.

Ezekiel 29 verses

Ezekiel 29 12 meaning

This verse declares a comprehensive divine judgment upon the land and cities of Egypt, resulting in widespread desolation. This state of ruin is specified to last for forty years, during which Egypt will suffer the fate of other devastated nations. Furthermore, the Lord will forcibly scatter the Egyptian people across various foreign lands, dispersing them and breaking their national unity. It highlights God's sovereignty over even powerful nations like Egypt, meting out judgment for their pride and unreliable alliance with Israel.

Ezekiel 29 12 Context

Ezekiel 29:12 is part of a larger prophetic message against Egypt spanning chapters 29-32. This particular prophecy is dated to January 587 BC (Eze 29:1), concurrent with the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Egypt, despite its past glory and strategic importance, consistently proved an unreliable ally for Judah, offering false hope and diverting Israel's trust from God (e.g., Isa 30:1-7, 31:1-3). The immediate historical context involves Pharaoh Hophra of the 26th dynasty of Egypt. God's judgment, as described in this verse, came to pass partially through Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Egypt, believed by some to have occurred around 568/567 BC, further weakening Egyptian power and influencing its decline. The specific duration of "forty years" signifies a definite, profound period of punishment for Egypt, unique in its defined timeframe, which contrasts with the often "perpetual" desolation promised to other nations, pointing towards an eventual, albeit diminished, restoration mentioned later in the chapter (Eze 29:13).

Ezekiel 29 12 Word analysis

• "I will make": (Hebrew: וְנָתַתִּ֛י, wᵉnātattî - "I will give/put/make"). This first-person declaration emphasizes God's active and sovereign initiation of judgment. It is not an accidental event but a deliberate divine act.
• "land of Egypt": (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם, ʾerets Mitsrayim). Identifies the specific target of the prophecy. Egypt was known for its fertility and strategic importance, making its desolation particularly poignant.
• "desolation": (Hebrew: שְׁמָמָה, šmāmāh - emptiness, waste, ruin). This term conveys utter devastation, removal of inhabitants, and a cessation of life and activity. Its repetition in the verse highlights the totality of the ruin.
• "in the midst of desolate countries": Egypt's renowned strength and fertility will be reduced to the common state of devastated nations, stripping away its perceived uniqueness and pride. It won't stand out; it will merge with the ruined.
• "her cities": The judgment extends beyond rural land to the urban centers, signifying a comprehensive breakdown of civilization and habitation.
• "forty years": A biblically significant number. Often denotes a period of divine testing, judgment, or an entire generation. Here, it marks a defined duration of profound national humiliation and weakness for Egypt, preceding a unique, limited restoration.
• "among the cities that are laid waste": Reaffirms that Egypt's urban centers will suffer the same fate as any other city caught in regional warfare and judgment.
• "I will scatter": (Hebrew: וְהֵפִצֹתִ֣י, wᵉhēfîṣōṯî - to spread abroad, disperse). A powerful verb denoting forceful expulsion and dispersal. This action breaks national cohesion and prevents recovery.
• "the Egyptians": The people themselves become victims of the judgment, facing displacement and exile.
• "among the nations and disperse them among the countries": The use of two parallel phrases emphasizes the widespread nature and thoroughness of the dispersion, stripping Egypt of its population and unified identity.
• "I will make the land of Egypt a desolation... her cities shall be a desolation forty years": This phrase group signifies an all-encompassing judgment—both the agricultural and urban heart of the nation will be laid waste for a defined, significant period. It contrasts the permanence of Egypt's physical landscape (sustained by the Nile) with its temporary, God-imposed ruin.
• "I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the countries": This parallel structure underlines the complete dissolution of the Egyptian population from their homeland, mirroring divine judgments frequently meted out to Israel when disobedient. It ensures that the source of Egypt's power, its people and their organized strength, is removed and weakened.

Ezekiel 29 12 Bonus section

The "forty years" specified in this verse is highly significant. It demonstrates that God's judgment on Egypt, though severe, was limited in duration and scope compared to other nations where "perpetual desolation" was foretold (e.g., Edom, Isa 34:10). This specific timeframe allows for the later prophecy of a humbled Egypt's restoration (Eze 29:13), though never regaining its former regional dominance. This highlights a nuanced aspect of divine judgment: even amidst severe punishment, God retains specific purposes for nations and can limit the duration of their suffering. This particular judgment also served a didactic purpose for Israel, showing that reliance on human powers like Egypt would always fail, as God alone is the ultimate deliverer and sovereign.

Ezekiel 29 12 Commentary

Ezekiel 29:12 precisely articulates God's comprehensive judgment on Egypt, targeting both its fertile land and bustling cities for forty years of desolation, thereby dismantling its self-perception as a mighty, stable empire. This fixed period of time—"forty years"—is key; it indicates a severe, generation-long punishment but also hints at the non-permanent nature of the devastation, unlike other prophecies of perpetual ruin. The verse simultaneously declares the forced dispersion of Egyptians across other nations. This dual judgment—land desolation and population scattering—is a profound humiliation for a civilization priding itself on its continuous habitation, the life-giving Nile, and a distinct national identity. It serves as a stark reminder that even the most formidable world powers are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of the Lord.