Ezekiel 29 13

Ezekiel 29:13 kjv

Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:

Ezekiel 29:13 nkjv

'Yet, thus says the Lord GOD: "At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered.

Ezekiel 29:13 niv

"?'Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations where they were scattered.

Ezekiel 29:13 esv

"For thus says the Lord GOD: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered,

Ezekiel 29:13 nlt

"But this is what the Sovereign LORD also says: At the end of the forty years I will bring the Egyptians home again from the nations to which they have been scattered.

Ezekiel 29 verses

Ezekiel 29 13 meaning

Ezekiel 29:13 declares a divine promise concerning Egypt's future. After a decreed period of forty years, during which Egypt would endure desolation, the Lord God states He will gather the scattered Egyptians from the nations where they have been dispersed and bring them back to their land. This signifies a limited restoration, not to former glory, but a return from exile, distinguishing Egypt's fate from nations facing utter destruction.

Ezekiel 29 13 Context

Ezekiel 29:13 is part of a series of prophecies against Egypt, delivered by the prophet Ezekiel. This specific prophecy dates to the tenth year, tenth month (circa 587 BC), placing it roughly one year before the final siege of Jerusalem ended. Ezekiel chapters 29-32 are entirely devoted to divine judgment against Egypt. Historically, Egypt was a significant power in the ancient Near East, often acting as an unreliable ally or "staff of reed" for Israel (Eze 29:6-7), a source of false hope that consistently disappointed them. Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) was ruling at this time, characterized by arrogance, believing "My Nile is my own; I made it for myself" (Eze 29:3), embodying national pride and self-sufficiency, which God challenges. The broader context includes Babylon's ascendancy and its role as God's instrument for judgment against various nations, including Egypt, under Nebuchadnezzar. While other nations faced total destruction, Egypt is prophesied to face desolation, followed by a specific period (forty years) of limited restoration, signaling a different fate – a humbler existence rather than complete annihilation.

Ezekiel 29 13 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, kî): This conjunction introduces the divine pronouncement and its consequence or explanation, grounding the future action in God's stated purpose. It conveys a sense of certainty and declaration.

• thus says (כֹּה־אָמַר, koh-amar): A standard prophetic formula affirming the direct and authoritative speech of God. It highlights divine revelation, leaving no room for human invention.

• the Lord GOD (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh): This composite name for God signifies His supreme authority ("Adonai" - Sovereign Lord) combined with His covenantal, personal name ("Yahweh" - The Self-Existent One). It emphasizes God's power and faithfulness to His pronouncements, both of judgment and restoration.

• At the end of forty years (לְקֵץ אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה, ləqēṣ ʾarbāʿîm šānâ): A precise temporal marker. "Forty" in biblical context often denotes a period of testing, trial, purification, or a significant generational period. While some suggest a literal 40 years coinciding with Nebuchadnezzar's dominance over Egypt, others interpret it as a round number symbolizing a full and appointed duration of judgment, after which divine purposes shift. It distinguishes Egypt's desolation from perpetual ruin.

• I will gather (קִבַּצְתִּי, qibbaṣtî): This verb denotes a powerful, deliberate act of collecting and bringing together. It's an act of divine intervention, ensuring the Egyptians' return from dispersion is solely by God's will and power. It counters the preceding scattering.

• the Egyptians (אֶת־מִצְרַיִם, ʾeṯ-miṣrāyim): Refers to the people of Egypt. It confirms that the prophecy applies specifically to the inhabitants, who would suffer exile but eventually return.

• from the peoples among whom they were scattered (מִן־הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר־הֵפִיצוֹ בָהֶם, min-hāʿammîm ʾašer-hēfîṣô bāhem): This phrase highlights the nature of the judgment – dispersion, a common punishment for rebellious nations, including Israel. hēfîṣô means "He scattered them." God Himself is the agent of their scattering, just as He will be the agent of their gathering, emphasizing His total sovereignty over their destiny. This global (regional) scattering points to a significant political and social upheaval for Egypt.

• "At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians": This phrase marks a divinely determined boundary for Egypt's desolation. It differentiates Egypt's fate from nations facing more absolute or irreversible destruction. It also subtly emphasizes God's sovereign control over historical timelines and the destinies of all nations, even those not directly in covenant with Him. This gathering indicates a restoration not to its former preeminent power, but to a humble, surviving state, consistent with subsequent verses predicting Egypt's reduced stature (Eze 29:14-16).

Ezekiel 29 13 Bonus section

• The forty years period is often interpreted by scholars as the approximate duration of Nebuchadnezzar's effective domination over Egypt, after which it would regain a limited autonomy, although often still under foreign suzerainty (e.g., Persian rule after Babylon). This wouldn't necessarily imply the land was completely uninhabited for 40 years, but rather that it experienced a profound political and economic desolation that redefined its standing.
• Ezekiel's prophecy of Egypt's desolation and scattering contrasts with prophecies for Tyre and other cities, where the destruction was often portrayed as far more absolute or permanent. This indicates a specific, different plan for Egypt in God's overarching scheme for the nations.
• The spiritual implication for Egypt goes beyond this initial political gathering. Isaiah 19:23-25 envisions a future when Egypt, alongside Assyria, will become part of God's blessing, being called "My people," serving the Lord, and sharing a "highway" of worship. This New Testament perspective sees a broader, spiritual ingathering of nations, including Egypt, into the kingdom of God, fulfilling a spiritual aspect of this partial restoration.
• The purpose of the restoration is explicitly stated in verse 16: "it will not again be to the house of Israel a staff of reed, bringing iniquity to remembrance." Egypt's diminished state served a theological purpose, teaching Israel not to rely on earthly alliances but solely on Yahweh.

Ezekiel 29 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 29:13 presents a crucial nuance in God's judgments against nations. While many surrounding peoples faced total obliteration for their wickedness and opposition to God's people, Egypt is promised a specific period of desolation—forty years—followed by a divine act of gathering its scattered populace. This shows God's measured approach, where even mighty Egypt's future is entirely in His hands. The judgment is real and severe (scattered among nations, land made desolate), yet it is not ultimate destruction. The return is an act of sovereign grace, intended to humble Egypt and prevent it from again being "the confidence of the house of Israel" (Eze 29:16), ensuring Israel learns to trust solely in God. This passage ultimately underscores God's absolute sovereignty, not just over Israel, but over all nations and their historical trajectories.