Ezekiel 29:12

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will make {H5414} the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} desolate {H8077} in the midst {H8432} of the countries {H776} that are desolate {H8074}, and her cities {H5892} among {H8432} the cities {H5892} that are laid waste {H2717} shall be desolate {H8077} forty {H705} years {H8141}: and I will scatter {H6327} the Egyptians {H4714} among the nations {H1471}, and will disperse {H2219} them through the countries {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, I will make the land of Egypt desolate, even when compared with other desolate countries, likewise her cities in comparison with other ruined cities; they will be desolate forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them through the countries.'

Berean Standard Bible

I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and her cities will lie desolate for forty years among the ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.

American Standard Version

And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be a desolation forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 29:12 pronounces a definitive divine judgment against the powerful nation of Egypt, foretelling a profound and widespread period of desolation for its land and cities, specifically lasting for forty years. This comprehensive judgment extends beyond the land to include the scattering and dispersion of the Egyptian people among various foreign nations, emphatically demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and His precise, unwavering execution of justice against those who embody pride, oppose His will, or mislead His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into a series of detailed prophetic oracles against Egypt, which span [Ezekiel chapters 29-32](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecies Against Egypt"). These prophecies are strategically placed immediately following divine judgments against other neighboring nations (Tyre, Sidon, Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia) in [Ezekiel 25-28](/ezekiel/25 "Ezekiel 25 - Prophecies Against Neighboring Nations"), thereby underscoring the universal scope of God's authority and His impartiality in judgment. More specifically, [Ezekiel 29:1-16](/ezekiel/29-1-16 "Ezekiel 29:1-16 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh and Egypt") targets Pharaoh and the entire Egyptian nation, condemning their pervasive pride, their idolatry, and their notorious unreliability as an ally to Judah. The vivid imagery of Egypt as a "broken reed" in [Ezekiel 29:6-7](/ezekiel/29-6-7 "Ezekiel 29:6-7 - Egypt as a Broken Reed") powerfully illustrates its deceptive weakness and the severe harm it inflicted upon those, particularly Israel, who dared to lean upon its false strength. The desolation and scattering described in verse 12 are presented as the direct, inevitable consequences of Egypt's arrogance and its persistent failure to acknowledge the Lord's supreme sovereignty. This period of severe judgment is then contrasted with a later, limited restoration mentioned in [Ezekiel 29:13-16](/ezekiel/29-13-16 "Ezekiel 29:13-16 - Limited Restoration of Egypt"), which would see Egypt reduced to a lowly, subservient kingdom, forever stripped of its former glory and its capacity to serve as a source of false hope for Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies against Egypt were delivered by Ezekiel during a highly tumultuous period in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a time marked by significant geopolitical shifts. Judah, already under the oppressive yoke of Babylonian subjugation, frequently and unwisely looked to Egypt for military and political support in their desperate attempts to resist the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire. This persistent reliance on Egypt was vehemently condemned by contemporary prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who rightly perceived it as a profound betrayal of trust in Yahweh, Israel's true deliverer. Egypt, with its ancient history, formidable military, and vast resources, had long been considered a dominant regional power and a viable counterweight to any rising empire. However, God, through Ezekiel, declared Egypt to be a "broken staff," utterly incapable of genuinely aiding Judah and, moreover, deserving of severe judgment for its deeply entrenched idolatry, its overweening pride, and its historical opposition to God's chosen people. The specific mention of "forty years" of desolation could refer to a precise historical period of Babylonian domination and subsequent decline, or, more broadly, a typological period of judgment and purification, as the number "forty" frequently signifies a generation, a period of intense testing, or a complete cycle of divine discipline in biblical narratives. The forced scattering of populations was a common and brutal punitive measure employed by ancient empires, including Babylon, designed to dismantle national identity, break resistance, and prevent future rebellions.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching and dominant theme in Ezekiel 29:12 is **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, which unequivocally demonstrates that God's authority extends universally over all nations, not merely over Israel. Egypt's profound pride and its detrimental role as a false security for Judah are central to its condemnation, powerfully highlighting the critical theme of **False Reliance vs. Trust in God**. The detailed and precise nature of the prophecy, including its specified duration and far-reaching effects, underscores the **Consequences of Defiance** against God's holy will and the absolute **Reliability of God's Word**, emphasizing the certainty of prophetic fulfillment. Furthermore, the concept of **Desolation and Restoration** is subtly yet significantly present; the severe judgment is balanced by a future promise of a limited, diminished restoration, illustrating God's ultimate and meticulous control over the rise and fall of kingdoms, and His long-term redemptive purposes that can even extend, albeit in a limited way, to gentile nations. The scattering of Egyptians also powerfully echoes the pervasive theme of **Exile and Dispersion**, a recurring motif of divine judgment applied to both disobedient Israel and other nations who defy the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Desolate (Hebrew, _shᵉmâmâh'_):** This feminine noun (H8077) signifies devastation, utter ruin, and emptiness, often carrying a profound connotation of astonishment, horror, or stupefaction. Its powerful repetition in the verse—"make...desolate," "countries that are desolate," "cities that are laid waste shall be desolate"—emphatically underscores the comprehensive, shocking, and irreversible nature of the destruction that would befall Egypt. It implies a state of being uninhabited, unproductive, and utterly laid waste, a stark and tragic contrast to Egypt's former fertility, grandeur, and prominence.
* **Scatter (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** This primitive root (H6327) means to dash in pieces, to break up, or to disperse with force. It implies a violent, forceful, and destructive act of breaking apart and spreading out, rather than a gentle or voluntary migration. When applied to people, as it is here with the Egyptians, it denotes a punitive and involuntary dispersion, designed to strip them of their national cohesion, identity, and power, strikingly similar to the judgment often pronounced against rebellious Israel.
* **Nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term (H1471) refers to a foreign nation, a Gentile people, or even a troop of animals. In this specific context, its use highlights that the Egyptians would be dispersed not merely within their own land, but forcibly scattered among other non-Israelite peoples. This signifies a profound loss of their distinct national presence within their homeland, reducing them to a scattered and fragmented people among the broader world, thereby underscoring the severity and extensive reach of God's judgment beyond their borders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries [that are] desolate":** This opening clause unequivocally declares God's active, sovereign role in orchestrating Egypt's ruin. The phrase "in the midst of the countries that are desolate" powerfully suggests that Egypt, once a preeminent, fertile, and mighty land, would be reduced to the same state as other already ruined and forgotten nations, losing its unique status and becoming just another wasteland among wastelands, stripped of all its former glory.
* **"and her cities among the cities [that are] laid waste shall be desolate forty years":** This specifies the precise scope of the desolation to include Egypt's once-thriving urban centers and, crucially, sets a divinely appointed duration of "forty years." This period signifies a complete, divinely ordained cycle of judgment and purification, during which Egypt's cities would remain uninhabited, ruined, and unproductive, reflecting a profound and sustained period of divine wrath and a complete disruption of its societal fabric.
* **"and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries":** This final, impactful clause details the grim fate of the Egyptian populace. It prophesies their forced displacement and widespread scattering across various foreign lands, emphasizing a catastrophic loss of national cohesion, identity, and homeland. The deliberate use of two strong verbs, "scatter" and "disperse," intensifies the image of a widespread, thorough, and inescapable scattering, ensuring that no unified Egyptian presence would remain in their homeland for the specified period of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 29:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of comprehensive divine judgment with overwhelming force. **Repetition** is profoundly prominent, with the word "desolate" (and its cognates "laid waste") appearing multiple times throughout the verse, powerfully hammering home the comprehensive and utter ruin awaiting Egypt. This repetition creates a pervasive sense of dread and emphatically underscores the severity and totality of the judgment. The phrases "in the midst of the countries that are desolate" and "among the cities that are laid waste" utilize **Hyperbole** and **Comparison** to amplify the unprecedented extent of Egypt's fall, suggesting it will not merely be desolate but will be exceptionally so, even among other already ruined lands, thereby intensifying the impact of the prophecy. The **Personification** of God as the active, direct agent ("I will make," "I will scatter," "I will disperse") powerfully underscores His absolute sovereignty and direct, intentional involvement in the unfolding historical events. Furthermore, the specific mention of "forty years" functions as a potent **Symbolism** for a complete and divinely appointed period of judgment or testing, drawing on well-established biblical precedents (e.g., Israel's wilderness wandering), lending a profound sense of divine intentionality, predetermined duration, and ultimate purpose to the punishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 29:12 powerfully articulates God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating with stark clarity that even formidable empires like Egypt are entirely subject to His divine will and ultimate judgment. It serves as a profound and timeless reminder that national pride, arrogant self-sufficiency, and the leading astray of God's people inevitably incur divine wrath. The remarkable precision of the prophecy, including the specific forty-year duration, underscores God's meticulous control over the grand tapestry of human history and the unwavering certainty of His spoken word. The desolation and dispersion of Egypt parallel similar judgments against disobedient Israel, highlighting God's impartial justice and His consistent moral standards for all humanity, whether they be covenant people or gentile nations. Ultimately, this passage profoundly reinforces the theological truth that reliance on human strength, geopolitical alliances, or any earthly power, rather than on God alone, inevitably leads to ruin and desolation.

* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")
* [Jeremiah 46:13-26](/jeremiah/46-13-26 "Jeremiah 46:13-26 - Prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's Invasion of Egypt")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons, Removes and Sets Up Kings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 29:12 calls us to a profound and sobering reflection on the majestic nature of God and our humble place within His sovereign, overarching plan for history. It serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly power, no matter how formidable, economically robust, or seemingly secure, stands outside the purview of God's righteous judgment. For nations and individuals alike, this verse functions as a potent warning against the insidious dangers of pride, the futility of self-reliance, and the perilous temptation to place our ultimate trust in anything or anyone other than the Almighty God. It challenges us to deeply examine where our ultimate security truly lies – is it in our financial stability, our political alliances, our military might, our personal achievements, or our accumulated wealth? The devastating desolation of Egypt, a once-mighty and seemingly invincible empire, should cultivate within us a posture of profound humility, unwavering dependence on God alone, and a healthy fear of His righteous judgment. Furthermore, the historical fulfillment of such precise prophecy strengthens our faith in the absolute reliability of God's inspired Word and His active, ongoing involvement in human history, encouraging us to live our lives daily in light of His ultimate authority, His coming kingdom, and the certainty of His justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my personal life, or in the life of my community or nation, might I be tempted to place trust in "Egypt" (human strength, resources, or alliances) instead of cultivating a deeper reliance on God?**
* **How does the concept of a "forty-year" period of desolation, a divinely appointed duration, inform my understanding of God's patience, His timing, and the ultimate purpose behind His judgments?**
* **What practical and tangible steps can I take today to cultivate a more profound and consistent reliance on God's sovereignty in my daily decisions, my long-term plans, and my response to global events?**

### FAQ
**Was the "forty years" of desolation for Egypt a literal historical period, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: While biblical scholars continue to debate the precise historical fulfillment, many interpret the "forty years" as a literal period of significant decline and foreign domination for Egypt, particularly under the oppressive rule of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which began shortly after Ezekiel delivered this prophecy. Historical records from the period indeed indicate a time of Egyptian weakness, subjugation, and loss of imperial influence following Nebuchadnezzar's extensive military campaigns. However, the number forty in biblical typology often signifies a complete period of testing, judgment, or preparation (e.g., [Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - Forty Years in the Wilderness"), [Jesus' forty days of fasting and temptation](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Forty Days of Fasting and Temptation")), suggesting a divinely appointed and complete duration for this judgment, whether precisely forty calendar years or a significant, defined era of subjugation and decline. The subsequent prophecy in [Ezekiel 29:13-16](/ezekiel/29-13-16 "Ezekiel 29:13-16 - Egypt's Limited Restoration") does speak of a partial restoration for Egypt thereafter, but explicitly states it would be as a "lowly kingdom," never regaining its former prominence as a world power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 29:12 directly concerns God's temporal judgment on ancient Egypt, its profound theological underpinnings find their ultimate and most comprehensive Christ-centered fulfillment. The verse powerfully highlights God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all nations, a truth fully and gloriously revealed in Christ, who is eternally declared to be the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). The desolation and scattering of Egypt, a direct consequence of its pervasive pride and its opposition to God's divine purposes, serves as a potent foreshadowing of the ultimate and inescapable judgment that will inevitably fall upon all who persistently reject God's gracious rule and His Son, culminating in the final, righteous judgment described in [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment"). Conversely, Christ's redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection establish a new, eternal kingdom, one that is emphatically [not of this world](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World"), where all who place their trust in Him are gathered, not scattered, into one unified body, transcending all earthly divisions ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Fellow Citizens with the Saints and Members of God's Household")). The "forty years" of judgment, a period of divine discipline and testing, powerfully points to the perfect, complete, and once-for-all judgment borne by Christ on the cross, where He, the sinless Lamb of God, took upon Himself the very desolation and curse of sin for all humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, while ancient Egypt faced a temporal scattering and a diminished future, in Christ, believers from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation are eternally gathered and reconciled to God, finding everlasting peace, belonging, and an inheritance, rather than dispersion or ruin ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Male or Female in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 46:19

O thou daughter dwelling in Egypt, furnish thyself to go into captivity: for Noph shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant.

Ezekiel 30:7

And they shall be desolate in the midst of the countries [that are] desolate, and her cities shall be in the midst of the cities [that are] wasted.

Ezekiel 30:23

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

Jeremiah 25:15

¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

Jeremiah 25:19

Pharaoh king of Egypt, and his servants, and his princes, and all his people;

Ezekiel 30:26

And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 27:6

And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.