Ezekiel 29:12-13
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What's striking here is that the "scattering" isn't just about physical exile to other lands, but also a dissipation of Egypt's power and influence. Even if some remained in their homeland, their nation's strength would be so broken that they'd be dispersed in spirit and impact among the world's peoples. This judgment is a stark reminder that God can dismantle even the mightiest human kingdoms.
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. “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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy comes as God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and its role in opposing His people. Ezekiel has just spoken of Egypt's ultimate destruction and humiliation, and this verse elaborates on the specific duration and manner of its desolation and scattering. It emphasizes that this judgment will be a stark contrast to the flourishing land Egypt saw itself to be, serving as a warning to other nations that defy God.
Ezekiel paints a stark picture of Egypt's fate. It wasn't just going to be ruined, but ruined in a specific way that set it apart.
An Unrivaled Wasteland
The prophecy declares Egypt will become "a desolation in the midst of desolated countries." This means Egypt's ruin would be exceptionally profound, even when compared to other nations already suffering devastation. Imagine a land already ravaged by war, and then one part of it becomes so utterly destroyed that it stands out even amongst the ruins. This emphasizes the severity and completeness of God's judgment on Egypt. It wasn't just another conquest; it was a display of divine wrath that would leave an indelible scar.
The Forty-Year Silence
The text specifies a "forty years" period for this desolation. This wasn't a brief setback but a significant span of time, a generation. During this time, Egypt's cities would lie waste, and its influence would be diminished, making it a shadow of its former glory.
God's judgment on Egypt involved more than just making the land empty. It also meant scattering its people, fundamentally changing their place in the world.
The Great Dispersion
The prophecy states God "will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries." This wasn't just about a military defeat but a strategic dismantling of Egypt's population and influence. Some were likely taken captive to places like Babylon, as historical accounts suggest. Others may have fled to neighboring regions like Ethiopia or Libya, seeking refuge.
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Dissipation of Might
While some commentators note that not all Egyptians were physically removed from their land, the 'scattering' also points to a severe dissipation of Egypt's power and national identity. Their influence would be broken, their people spread thin and weakened, unable to coalesce into a formidable force for a significant period. This dispersal served to humble a nation known for its pride and self-sufficiency.
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.
Adonay Yhwh · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A Hebrew title for God, emphasizing His sovereignty, lordship, and authority; it combines the personal name of God (Yahweh) with the title for Master/Lord (Adonai).
This prophecy against Egypt, echoing the fate of Judah, was delivered during the Babylonian exile. The 'forty years of desolation' likely refers to the period of severe disruption and loss of sovereignty Egypt suffered, mirroring the discipline Israel underwent in the wilderness and during their exile.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation from Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar I, king of Babylon, besieges Jerusalem and takes Jehoiakim and many prominent Judeans captive to Babylon, along with temple treasures. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation from Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar II deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and Ezekiel the prophet, to Babylon after a brief rebellion. This intensifies the Judean exile.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This event profoundly shapes the identity and prophetic messages of the exiles.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Egypt
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar campaigns against Egypt. This military action leads to the devastation and scattering prophesied by Ezekiel.
c. 570 BC - 530 BC
Forty Years of Desolation
The period of Egypt's desolation and the scattering of its people, as prophesied by Ezekiel, is understood to last for forty years, impacting its political and social stability.
538 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
This passage describes a similar scattering and desolation for Judah as a consequence of their disobedience, highlighting the theme of divine judgment upon nations.
Ezekiel 12:15This verse directly parallels the scattering of people among nations as a consequence of their sin, reinforcing Ezekiel's prophetic pattern of judgment.
Leviticus 26:33This foundational Mosaic Law passage outlines scattering among nations and desolation as a consequence of breaking the covenant, which finds a specific fulfillment in Egypt here.
Isaiah 19:5-10This prophecy foretells a different kind of desolation and drying up of Egypt's power and resources, offering another perspective on God's judgment against this proud nation.
Ezekiel 30:7This verse speaks of Egypt being left desolate for forty years, directly aligning with the timeframe mentioned in Ezekiel 29:12 and reinforcing the prophecy of prolonged ruin.
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…
What's striking here is that the "scattering" isn't just about physical exile to other lands, but also a dissipation of Egypt's power and influence. Even if some remained in their homeland, their nation's strength would be so broken that they'd be dispersed in spirit and impact among the world's peoples. This judgment is a stark reminder that God can dismantle even the mightiest human kingdoms.
This prophecy comes as God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and its role in opposing His people. Ezekiel has just spoken of Egypt's ultimate destruction and humiliation, and this verse elaborates on the specific duration and manner of its desolation and scattering. It emphasizes that this judgment will be a stark contrast to the flourishing land Egypt saw itself to be, serving as a warning to other nations that defy God.
This prophecy comes as God declares judgment on Egypt for its pride and its role in opposing His people. Ezekiel has just spoken of Egypt's ultimate destruction and humiliation, and this verse elaborates on the specific duration and manner of its desolation and scattering. It emphasizes that this judgment will be a stark contrast to the flourishing land Egypt saw itself to be, serving as a warning to other nations that defy God.
"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…" — What's striking here is that the "scattering" isn't just about physical exile to other lands, but also a dissipation of Egypt's power and influence. Even if some remained in their homeland, their nat…
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Last reviewed October 2026
