Ezekiel 29:13
“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 page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's striking here is that after a prophesied period of desolation and scattering, God promises to "gather" the Egyptians back. This isn't just about their physical return home; it signifies a sovereign act of restoration, even for a nation often seen as an adversary. It reveals God's concern for His creation's welfare, extending even to those who have strayed.
This passage comes after God declares that Egypt will be utterly devastated and left desolate for forty years, signifying a complete downfall. Following this period of judgment, God promises a restoration, not to its former glory as a powerful empire, but to a humble kingdom where Egyptians would be gathered back from exile and scattering. This eventual regathering offers a glimmer of hope after a long era of divine discipline.
Ever feel like God is putting things on pause, stretching out a difficult season? Forty years is a long time! What does this specific number mean for Egypt, and for us?
This verse pinpoints a forty-year period for Egypt's scattering and eventual gathering. This isn't just an arbitrary timeline; it represents a divinely appointed season of judgment and humbling.
A Season of Discipline
For forty years, Egypt would be scattered among other nations, stripped of its former power and influence. This time served as a consequence for its arrogance and its opposition to God's people.
The Promise of Return
But God's judgment is not without hope. The "gathering" signifies a restoration, a return to their homeland. This return is framed not as a resurgence to former glory, but as a humble re-establishment under God's sovereign hand. It's a reminder that even in judgment, God's ultimate plan is often redemptive.
Nations were scattered, people were displaced. What does it mean when God orchestrates the movement of entire peoples?
The scattering of the Egyptians "among the peoples" speaks volumes about God's authority over all nations. He isn't just concerned with Israel; His gaze and His actions extend to every corner of the earth.
God's Global Reach
Nebuchadnezzar's conquests, which led to the scattering of Egyptians, were ultimately instruments in God's hands. Even when human actions seem driven by conquest and power, the passage assures us that God is directing the larger narrative.
Awaiting His Timing
This scattering wasn't permanent. It was a prelude to a "gathering" at a specific, divinely ordained time. This reminds us that God's plans unfold according to His schedule, and what seems like chaos or dispersal is often part of a larger, purposeful movement towards His intended outcome.
Understand the original words
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).
The prophecy in Ezekiel 29:13 points to a future restoration of Egypt after a period of subjugation, likely following Nebuchadnezzar's campaign. The 'forty years' likely culminates around the time of Cyrus' conquest of Babylon and his broader policy of allowing scattered peoples to return to their homelands, drawing a parallel with the restoration of Israel.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, conquers Jerusalem, destroys the Temple, and deports many Judeans. This event is a backdrop to many prophetic pronouncements about foreign nations.
c. 585-574 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Egyptian Campaign
Following the conquest of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar campaigns against Egypt, likely defeating Pharaoh Apries (Hophra). This campaign scattered Egyptians and weakened their kingdom.
c. 567 BC
Amasis II Becomes Pharaoh
Following internal revolt, Amasis II (Ahmose II) becomes Pharaoh of Egypt, ushering in a long and prosperous reign. Egypt begins to recover its strength.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Captures Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquers the Babylonian Empire, an event that reshapes the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
This passage, like Ezekiel's prophecy about Egypt, speaks of a future restoration for Moab after a period of scattering and judgment.
Jeremiah 49:6Similar to the promise for Egypt, the people of Ammon are also told that after a period of judgment, they will be gathered and restored to their land.
Isaiah 23:15This prophecy concerning Tyre also includes a set period of seventy years before the city would be restored, paralleling the idea of a defined timeframe for divine judgment and subsequent recovery.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage describes Cyrus the Great issuing a decree for the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem, an event that aligns with the timing and concept of a scattering followed by a divinely orchestrated gathering and restoration.
Ezekiel 29:14-15Immediately following this verse, Ezekiel elaborates that while Egypt will be restored and gathered, it will never again rise to its former prominence, serving as a powerful reminder that restoration does not always mean a return to past glory or power.
barnesEzekiel 29:13: "Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:"
A similar respite was promised to Moab Jeremiah 48:47 , to Ammon Jeremiah 49:6 , and to Tyre Isaiah 23:15 .
ellicottEzekiel 29:13: "Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:"
(13) At the end of forty years.— See Note on Ezekiel 29:11 .
What's striking here is that after a prophesied period of desolation and scattering, God promises to "gather" the Egyptians back. This isn't just about their physical return home; it signifies a sovereign act of restoration, even for a nation often seen as an adversary. It reveals God's concern for His creation's welfare, extending even to those who have strayed.
This passage comes after God declares that Egypt will be utterly devastated and left desolate for forty years, signifying a complete downfall. Following this period of judgment, God promises a restoration, not to its former glory as a powerful empire, but to a humble kingdom where Egyptians would be gathered back from exile and scattering. This eventual regathering offers a glimmer of hope after a long era of divine discipline.
This passage comes after God declares that Egypt will be utterly devastated and left desolate for forty years, signifying a complete downfall. Following this period of judgment, God promises a restoration, not to its former glory as a powerful empire, but to a humble kingdom where Egyptians would be gathered back from exile and scattering. This eventual regathering offers a glimmer of hope after a long era of divine discipline.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezekiel 29:13 is available in the Sola app.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus' Decree for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the end of the Babylonian exile.
"“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," — What's striking here is that after a prophesied period of desolation and scattering, God promises to "gather" the Egyptians back. This isn't just about their physical return home; it signifies a sove…
