Ezekiel 29:13

KJV

Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; At the end {H7093} of forty {H705} years {H8141} will I gather {H6908} the Egyptians {H4714} from the people {H5971} whither they were scattered {H6327}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"For this is what Adonai ELOHIM says: 'At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered -

Berean Standard Bible

For this is what the Lord GOD says: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the nations to which they were scattered.

American Standard Version

For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the peoples whither they were scattered;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 29:13 presents a divine declaration concerning the future of Egypt, specifically detailing a period of forty years of desolation and scattering, after which the Lord God Himself promises to gather the Egyptians from the various nations where they had been dispersed. This verse, embedded within a larger prophetic oracle against Egypt, highlights God's absolute sovereignty over the destinies of all nations, demonstrating His power to both judge and orchestrate a limited, purposeful restoration according to His divine timeline and overarching plan for humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 29:13 is situated within a series of prophecies against Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Egypt") through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt"). This particular oracle begins in [Ezekiel 29:1](/ezekiel/29-1 "Ezekiel 29:1 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh") and focuses on Pharaoh as a great "dragon" or "crocodile" of the Nile, symbolizing his immense pride and perceived self-sufficiency ([Ezekiel 29:3](/ezekiel/29-3 "Ezekiel 29:3 - Pharaoh as the Great Dragon")). The preceding verses detail God's judgment, promising to put hooks in Pharaoh's jaws and drag him and his land into desolation. [Ezekiel 29:10-12](/ezekiel/29-10 "Ezekiel 29:10-12 - Egypt's Desolation") specifically prophesy a forty-year period of desolation for Egypt, during which its inhabitants would be scattered among the nations, and the land itself would be uninhabited by humans or animals. Verse 13 then introduces the surprising element of a future gathering after this period of judgment, setting the stage for Egypt's subsequent status as a "base kingdom" ([Ezekiel 29:15](/ezekiel/29-15 "Ezekiel 29:15 - Egypt, a Base Kingdom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Egypt was a significant regional power, though its influence was waning. It often served as an unreliable ally for Judah against the rising Babylonian Empire. The historical backdrop is the period leading up to and following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Egypt's pride and its tendency to be a "staff of reed" for Israel, offering false hope and then breaking ([Ezekiel 29:6-7](/ezekiel/29-6 "Ezekiel 29:6-7 - Egypt, a Broken Reed")), formed a crucial part of the divine indictment. The scattering of populations was a common practice of conquering empires, particularly the Assyrians and Babylonians, designed to break national identity and resistance. The prophecy of Egypt's scattering and subsequent gathering thus speaks directly to the geopolitical realities and imperial practices of the ancient Near East, but frames them within God's sovereign control.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel and broader biblical prophecy. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**, demonstrating that Yahweh's authority extends beyond Israel to encompass the rise, fall, and even limited restoration of all earthly kingdoms. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Judgment and Limited Restoration**, presenting a pattern where divine judgment, though severe, is not always absolute destruction but can be a measured, purposeful discipline with a defined duration, leading to a modified future state. The "forty years" is a recurring biblical motif often signifying a period of testing, purification, or transition, as seen in the [forty years of Israel's wilderness wandering](/numbers/14-34 "Numbers 14:34 - Forty Years in the Wilderness"). Finally, the prophecy emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Word**, as He precisely declares both the judgment and the subsequent, albeit limited, restoration, ensuring that His purposes for even Gentile nations will be accomplished.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This compound title, appearing as H136 and H3069 in the Strong's concordance, is highly significant. `ʼĂdônây` (H136) is an emphatic form of "lord" or "master," often used as a proper name for God, emphasizing His absolute authority and ownership. `Yᵉhôvih` (H3069) is a variation of the divine name YHWH (Yahweh), used specifically after `ʼĂdônây` to avoid repeating the same sound (as Jews typically pronounce YHWH as `ʼĂdônây`). Together, "Lord GOD" underscores God's supreme, sovereign, and self-existent nature, the ultimate Master and covenant-keeping God who declares and executes His will over all creation, including nations like Egypt.
* **gather (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** The verb `qâbats` (H6908) means "to grasp" or "to collect," and is commonly used for the re-gathering of scattered peoples, most notably Israel from exile. Its application here to Egypt is striking, indicating that even the return of a Gentile nation from dispersion is not a random event but a direct, intentional act of divine will. This gathering is not for their former glory but for a specific purpose within God's larger global plan, highlighting His meticulous control over the destinies of all nations.
* **scattered (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** The verb `pûwts` (H6327) means "to dash in pieces" or "to disperse." It vividly describes the violent and complete dispersion of the Egyptians among other peoples. This scattering is a direct consequence of God's judgment, a breaking apart of their national unity and power. The use of this word emphasizes the severity of the divine punishment, making the subsequent "gathering" even more remarkable as an act of sovereign intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase is a powerful prophetic formula, asserting the divine origin and absolute authority of the message that follows. It emphasizes that the pronouncement is not merely human speculation but a direct revelation from the sovereign God, the Master and Self-Existent One, whose word is truth and power.
* **"At the end of forty years":** This specifies a precise duration for the period of Egypt's desolation and scattering, previously mentioned in [Ezekiel 29:11-12](/ezekiel/29-11 "Ezekiel 29:11-12 - Egypt's Desolation and Scattering"). The "forty years" is a biblically significant period often associated with testing, judgment, or a transitional phase, indicating that God's judgment on Egypt is not eternal but has a defined purpose and conclusion.
* **"will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:":** This clause declares God's active role in reversing the scattering. Despite having been dispersed among various nations, God Himself promises to re-collect them. This gathering is not a restoration to their former power or pride but a return to their land, albeit as a "base kingdom" ([Ezekiel 29:15](/ezekiel/29-15 "Ezekiel 29:15 - Egypt, a Lowly Kingdom")), demonstrating God's meticulous control over the destinies of nations and His ability to orchestrate even their partial restoration for His own purposes.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 29:13 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Pronouncement**, signaled by the authoritative phrase "Thus saith the Lord GOD," which imbues the prophecy with undeniable divine authority and certainty. This declaration functions as a **Prophetic Decree**, a formal statement of God's unchangeable will concerning Egypt's future. The mention of "forty years" serves as **Symbolism**, where the number forty often represents a period of trial, purification, or a significant transition in biblical narratives, lending a deeper theological weight to the duration of Egypt's judgment. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the preceding scattering (a result of judgment) and the promised gathering (an act of divine intervention), highlighting God's power to both dismantle and reassemble, albeit for a new, humbled purpose.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 29:13 profoundly illustrates God's comprehensive sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel. It reveals that divine judgment, while severe, is often meted out with a specific purpose and duration, demonstrating God's justice intertwined with His ultimate redemptive plan. The "forty years" signifies a period of humbling and purification, after which a limited restoration occurs, not to former glory, but to a state where Egypt will no longer be a source of pride or a deceptive reliance for Israel. This pattern underscores that God's control extends to the very timing and nature of national destinies, ensuring that His global purposes are fulfilled.

* [Isaiah 19:23-25](/isaiah/19-23 "Isaiah 19:23-25 - Egypt and Assyria Blessed by God"): Prophesies a future time when Egypt, along with Assyria, will be blessed by God and called "My people," indicating a broader, ultimate redemption that transcends specific judgments.
* [Jeremiah 46:26](/jeremiah/46-26 "Jeremiah 46:26 - Egypt Delivered to Nebuchadnezzar, but Later Inhabited"): Foretells Egypt's deliverance into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, but also promises that it will "afterward be inhabited, as in the days of old," echoing the theme of a future, albeit altered, restoration.
* [Zephaniah 3:9-10](/zephaniah/3-9 "Zephaniah 3:9-10 - God Purifies the Peoples"): Speaks of a future time when God will "restore to the peoples a pure language, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord," implying a universal scope to God's redemptive work that includes Gentile nations.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 29:13 offers profound reassurance for believers today, reminding us that God is actively involved in the affairs of all nations and that His plans are precise, purposeful, and ultimately unthwartable. In a world often characterized by political upheaval, national pride, and shifting alliances, this verse anchors our hope in the unchanging sovereignty of God. It teaches us that even periods of severe judgment or widespread scattering have a defined end and serve a divine purpose—often to humble, purify, or reorient. For us, this means trusting God's timing, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust. It encourages us to pray for our nations, recognizing that God holds their destinies in His hands, and that He can bring about restoration and re-gathering even after periods of desolation. Our ultimate allegiance must be to the Lord GOD, who orchestrates all things for His glory and the good of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "forty years" of Egypt's desolation and scattering resonate with other biblical instances of "forty," and what spiritual lessons can we draw from this recurring motif regarding periods of testing or transition in our own lives?**
* **In what ways might God be "scattering" or "gathering" aspects of our lives or communities today, and how can we discern His purposes in these movements?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations, as seen in this verse, shape our prayers and perspectives on current global events?**

### FAQ
**Was the "forty years" of desolation for Egypt a literal period, and when did it occur?**

Answer: The "forty years" mentioned in [Ezekiel 29:11-13](/ezekiel/29-11 "Ezekiel 29:11-13 - Egypt's Forty-Year Desolation") is understood by many scholars as a literal period of desolation and scattering for Egypt. While the precise historical fulfillment is debated, many connect it to the period following Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Egypt around 568/567 BCE. Historical records suggest a significant decline in Egyptian power and influence during this time, with many Egyptians potentially fleeing or being exiled. The prophecy indicates that after this period, the Egyptians would be gathered back to their land, but as a "base kingdom" ([Ezekiel 29:15](/ezekiel/29-15 "Ezekiel 29:15 - Egypt, a Humbled Kingdom")), never again to exalt themselves among the nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 29:13 specifically addresses the temporal judgment and limited restoration of ancient Egypt, it points to a broader pattern of divine sovereignty and ultimate redemption that finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ. The Lord GOD's power to scatter and gather, to judge and restore, foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. Just as God promised to gather the scattered Egyptians, so too does Christ promise to gather all His elect from every nation, tribe, and tongue ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - The Gathering of the Elect"); [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")). The "forty years" of Egypt's humbling can be seen as a microcosm of the longer periods of trial and preparation that God's people endure, ultimately leading to a more profound and spiritual restoration found in Christ. He is the true Shepherd who gathers His sheep ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - One Flock, One Shepherd")), bringing them out of the scattering of sin and into the unity of His body. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only brings about the ultimate gathering of a new humanity but also establishes a kingdom that will never be a "base kingdom" but an eternal, glorious reign, fulfilling all of God's promises of restoration in a way far surpassing any earthly nation's return ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man"); [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom")).

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

Isaiah 19:22

And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal [it]: and they shall return [even] to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

Jeremiah 46:26

And I will deliver them into the hand of those that seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants: and afterward it shall be inhabited, as in the days of old, saith the LORD.