While the verse speaks of Egypt being scattered among nations, it's important to note that this scattering isn't just about physical exile. It also signifies a profound dispersal of their power, influence, and national identity for a specified time, even if some remained in their homeland.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Ezekiel is delivering a stark prophecy against Egypt, a nation often seen as powerful and self-reliant, portraying it as a proud but ultimately broken entity. This specific verse details the severe consequences of God's judgment: Egypt's land will become a wasteland, its cities ruined, and its people scattered among other nations for forty years. This judgment is set within the broader context of Nebuchadnezzar's conquests and a period of discipline, mirroring the experience of Israel itself.
Egypt, a powerful nation, was to become a wasteland. But not just any wasteland – a desolation in the midst of other desolated lands.
A World Under Judgment
Ezekiel prophesies a profound judgment on Egypt. It wasn't just that Egypt would be ruined; it would be ruined within a world that was already falling apart. Nebuchadnezzar's empire was conquering and devastating nations, and Egypt was to share in this terrible fate.
The judgment wasn't just on the land, but on its people. They were to be scattered, their power and presence dispersed.
The Diaspora of Egypt
This verse speaks of a specific period of judgment for Egypt: forty years. During this time, the Egyptians themselves would be dispersed among other nations. This wasn't just about military defeat; it was about a national scattering, a loss of cohesive identity and power.
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Understand the original words
shemamah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a state of being completely ruined, empty, or devastated, often as a result of divine judgment for sin or rebellion against God. It signifies the removal of human life and productivity as a consequence of spiritual failure.
puwts · Hebrew Verb
To cause to move away from a center in various directions; often used in the context of divine judgment where a people are dispersed across the earth as a consequence of their sin.
Ezekiel's prophecy wasn't just a theological statement; it was a direct prediction tied to the military ambitions of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire's dominance over the ancient Near East, including Egypt.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's First Campaign
Nebuchadnezzar begins his reign by securing Babylonian dominance, including campaigns into the Levant. This sets the stage for future conflicts that would involve Egypt.
589-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar's forces conquer Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and exiling many Judeans. Egypt's involvement in supporting Jerusalem against Babylon is noted.
After 586 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Egypt
Following the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar launches a major invasion of Egypt, fulfilling prophecies against the nation and scattering its people. This event directly corresponds to Ezekiel's prophecy.
c. 574 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Egypt
While the invasion occurred earlier, Ezekiel likely delivers this specific prophecy around this time, detailing the judgment of forty years of desolation and scattering.
c. 570 BC - 530 BC
Period of Egyptian Subjection
Egypt experiences a period of reduced power and influence, potentially under Babylonian suzerainty or experiencing internal devastation, aligning with the 'forty years' of desolation.
525 BC
Persian Conquest of Egypt
Cambyses II of Persia conquers Egypt, ending native rule for a significant period. While after the forty years, this marks a continued loss of Egyptian autonomy.
This passage describes a similar scattering of people among the nations, specifically Judahites fleeing to Egypt, highlighting a recurring theme of dispersion and divine judgment in the region.
Ezekiel 20:35This verse speaks of God bringing His people into the wilderness to contend with them, paralleling the 'forty years' of desolation and scattering mentioned for Egypt as a period of divine discipline.
Isaiah 19:1-15This prophecy foretells a judgment upon Egypt, including confusion and a weakened state, echoing the desolation and scattering described in Ezekiel 29, though with a different temporal focus.
Leviticus 26:33This verse in the Law outlines the scattering of Israel among the nations as a consequence of disobedience, providing a theological framework for understanding why nations like Egypt would face such dispersion.
pooleEzekiel 29:12: "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."
This verse is a further repeated confirmation of what was said before, and needs no new explication, every thing in it being already spoken to in the former verses. Among the nations; some into captivity, othe…
ellicottEzekiel 29:12: "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."
(12) Scatter the Egyptians among the nations.— Megasthenes and Berosus state that Nebuchadnezzar on his conquest of Egypt, sent great numbers of the people captive to Babylon; others doubtless, as in similar c…
While the verse speaks of Egypt being scattered among nations, it's important to note that this scattering isn't just about physical exile. It also signifies a profound dispersal of their power, influence, and national identity for a specified time, even if some remained in their homeland.
Ezekiel is delivering a stark prophecy against Egypt, a nation often seen as powerful and self-reliant, portraying it as a proud but ultimately broken entity. This specific verse details the severe consequences of God's judgment: Egypt's land will become a wasteland, its cities ruined, and its people scattered among other nations for forty years. This judgment is set within the broader context of Nebuchadnezzar's conquests and a period of discipline, mirroring the experience of Israel itself.
Ezekiel is delivering a stark prophecy against Egypt, a nation often seen as powerful and self-reliant, portraying it as a proud but ultimately broken entity. This specific verse details the severe consequences of God's judgment: Egypt's land will become a wasteland, its cities ruined, and its people scattered among other nations for forty years. This judgment is set within the broader context of Nebuchadnezzar's conquests and a period of discipline, mirroring the experience of Israel itself.
"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 throug…" — While the verse speaks of Egypt being scattered among nations, it's important to note that this scattering isn't just about physical exile. It also signifies a profound dispersal of their power, infl…
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Last reviewed October 2026
