Ezekiel 29:11

No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

No foot {H7272} of man {H120} shall pass through {H5674} it, nor foot {H7272} of beast {H929} shall pass through {H5674} it, neither shall it be inhabited {H3427} forty {H705} years {H8141}.

No human foot will pass through it, and no animal foot will pass through it; it will be uninhabited for forty years.

No foot of man or beast will pass through, and it will be uninhabited for forty years.

No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

Commentary

Ezekiel 29:11 delivers a stark prophecy concerning the utter desolation of the land of Egypt. This verse is part of a larger divine judgment against Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt, pronounced through the prophet Ezekiel.

Context

The prophecy in Ezekiel chapter 29 begins with a direct word from the Lord against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, likening him to a great crocodile (or dragon) in the Nile. This judgment is primarily due to Egypt's pride and its unreliable nature as an ally to Israel. Historically, Judah had often looked to Egypt for military support against encroaching powers like Babylon, only to find Egypt to be a "staff of reed" that would break and pierce the hand of those who leaned on it, as mentioned in Ezekiel 29:6-7 and also Isaiah 36:6. Verse 11 specifically details the severity and duration of the coming judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Desolation: The verse vividly describes a period of extreme desolation for Egypt. "No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it" signifies that the land would become uninhabitable and impassable, a wasteland devoid of life and traffic. This speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment against Egypt.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: This prophecy, like many others in Ezekiel, underscores God's absolute control and authority over all nations, not just Israel. He raises up and brings down kingdoms according to His will and righteous judgment.
  • Consequences of Pride and Unfaithfulness: Egypt's pride (as seen in Pharaoh's self-proclaimed power) and its failure to be a trustworthy ally to God's people brought about this severe punishment.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "forty years" holds significant biblical weight. In scripture, a period of forty years often symbolizes a generation, a time of testing, purification, or divine judgment. For instance, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years as a consequence of their disobedience. Here, it denotes a specific, prolonged period of Egypt's weakness and subjugation, a time of national humiliation and recovery from the devastating impact of Babylonian invasions. This specific duration emphasizes the certainty and measured nature of God's decree.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 29:11 serves as a powerful reminder that God holds all nations accountable for their actions, their pride, and their treatment of His people. For believers today, it highlights the danger of placing trust in worldly powers or human strength over divine providence. Just as ancient Egypt faced a period of desolation for its arrogance and unreliability, individuals and societies can face consequences when they turn away from God's ways. It encourages a reliance on God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty, rather than the fleeting strength of human alliances or achievements.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 32:13

    I will destroy also all the beasts thereof from beside the great waters; neither shall the foot of man trouble them any more, nor the hoofs of beasts trouble them.

  • Jeremiah 43:11

    And when he cometh, he shall smite the land of Egypt, [and deliver] such [as are] for death to death; and such [as are] for captivity to captivity; and such [as are] for the sword to the sword.

  • Jeremiah 43:12

    And I will kindle a fire in the houses of the gods of Egypt; and he shall burn them, and carry them away captives: and he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace.

  • Jeremiah 29:10

    For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:21

    To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: [for] as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.

  • Ezekiel 31:12

    And strangers, the terrible of the nations, have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.

  • Ezekiel 36:28

    And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
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