Ezekiel 29:13-15
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Even amidst judgment, God’s promise of restoration for Egypt is clear, but it comes with a significant downgrade. After forty years of scattering and subjugation, they will be regathered, not to their former glory as a ruling power, but as a humbled nation, the "basest of the kingdoms."
“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, and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just declared Egypt's utter devastation and ruin through Nebuchadnezzar's conquest, prophesying its permanent humbling. Now, in contrast to its complete overthrow, God promises a future restoration after a forty-year period of desolation. Egypt will be gathered from its exiles, but it will never again regain its former power or influence over other nations.
Egypt was a mighty empire, a source of pride and power. But God had a different plan for them, one that extended far beyond their political influence.
This prophecy isn't just about Egypt's political state; it's about God's overarching plan for nations and His people. While Egypt would be humbled, reduced from a ruling power to 'the basest of the kingdoms,' God promised their restoration and gathering.
A Humbled Future
God declares that after a period of devastation (symbolized by 'forty years'), the Egyptians would be gathered from the nations where they had been scattered. This signifies a return to their homeland, a restoration of sorts. However, it's a restoration to a diminished status. They would no longer 'rule over the nations' or be a source of false confidence for Israel.
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Even in judgment, God's promise of restoration is evident. This promise points to a time when God would re-establish the Egyptians, not to their former glory, but as a nation under His sovereign hand. It’s a reminder that no empire or nation stands ultimately on its own might, but is subject to God’s purposes.
Forty years. It sounds like a specific number, but what does it truly represent in God's prophetic timeline?
The mention of 'forty years' in Ezekiel 29:13 is significant, though not always a literal, precise calendar count. It often symbolizes a generation, a period of trial, judgment, or testing.
A Symbol of Judgment and Testing
Ask a follow-up
Scholars suggest this 'forty years' likely refers to the period of Babylonian dominance and the scattering of Egyptians. Similar to how Israel spent forty years in the wilderness, this period for Egypt represented a time of God's discipline and their separation from their former influence.
The End of an Era
This period marks the end of Egypt's supremacy and its scattering among other peoples. When the 'forty years' concluded, it signaled a turning point, a time ordained by God for change, restoration, and a reordering of nations under His ultimate authority, paving the way for their return.
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).
shuwb · Hebrew Verb
To bring back, return, or cause to turn back; in a theological sense, it often refers to God restoring the prosperity, spiritual condition, or status of a person or nation following a period of judgment.
shaphal · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being humble, base, or reduced in status; biblically, it suggests a position of weakness or lack of arrogance, often contrasted with the pride that leads to judgment.
ga'ah · Hebrew Verb
To raise, lift up, or boast; in a negative sense, it refers to human pride, self-sufficiency, or a claim to authority that rebels against the sovereignty of God.
Ezekiel's prophecy points to a forty-year period of Egyptian subjugation and scattering, culminating around the time of Babylon's fall to Persia. This restoration, like that of Israel, is orchestrated by God through imperial shifts, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's final siege results in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, marking a major turning point in Jewish history and scattering many Israelites into exile. This event is part of the broader Babylonian ascendancy that Ezekiel is prophesying about.
c. 585 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Egypt
Following his conquest of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar campaigns into Egypt, defeating Pharaoh Apries (Hophra) and bringing many Egyptians into captivity. This invasion devastates Egypt and marks the beginning of the forty-year period of scattering mentioned in the prophecy.
c. 570 BC
Amasis II Becomes Pharaoh
Amasis II leads a successful revolt against Pharaoh Apries, establishing himself as ruler of Egypt. While Egypt remains under a degree of foreign influence or control following Nebuchadnezzar's invasion, Amasis works to restore its stability.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, conquers Babylon. This pivotal event signals the end of Babylonian dominance and initiates a new era for the region.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Edict of Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This event marks the end of the Babylonian exile and is often seen as the starting point for the restoration of other scattered peoples.
This passage also speaks of restoration for a scattered people after a period of judgment, similar to the promise for Egypt here.
Jeremiah 49:6Like the prophecy for Egypt, this verse promises a future restoration for the scattered people of Ammon after their judgment.
Isaiah 23:15This prophecy of Tyre's restoration after a set period of desolation mirrors the eventual regathering of the Egyptians mentioned in Ezekiel.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage describes Cyrus the Great allowing the exiled Israelites to return to their homeland, paralleling the scholars' suggestions that Cyrus might have permitted scattered Egyptians to return home.
Ezekiel 29:15This verse immediately follows the one in question and clarifies that Egypt's restoration would be to a humbled state, providing essential context to the meaning of the 'gathering'.
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 .
Even amidst judgment, God’s promise of restoration for Egypt is clear, but it comes with a significant downgrade. After forty years of scattering and subjugation, they will be regathered, not to their former glory as a ruling power, but as a humbled nation, the "basest of the kingdoms."
God has just declared Egypt's utter devastation and ruin through Nebuchadnezzar's conquest, prophesying its permanent humbling. Now, in contrast to its complete overthrow, God promises a future restoration after a forty-year period of desolation. Egypt will be gathered from its exiles, but it will never again regain its former power or influence over other nations.
God has just declared Egypt's utter devastation and ruin through Nebuchadnezzar's conquest, prophesying its permanent humbling. Now, in contrast to its complete overthrow, God promises a future restoration after a forty-year period of desolation. Egypt will be gathered from its exiles, but it will never again regain its former power or influence over other nations.
"“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, and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their orig…" — Even amidst judgment, God’s promise of restoration for Egypt is clear, but it comes with a significant downgrade. After forty years of scattering and subjugation, they will be regathered, not to thei…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
