Ezekiel 30:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will scatter {H6327} the Egyptians {H4714} among the nations {H1471}, and will disperse {H2219} them through the countries {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.

Berean Standard Bible

I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 30:23 delivers a stark divine pronouncement against Egypt, declaring that God Himself will scatter its people among the nations and disperse them throughout various countries. This verse is part of a larger prophetic oracle detailing Egypt's impending desolation and serves as a powerful testament to Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, demonstrating that even a mighty empire like Egypt is subject to His righteous judgment and will face the consequences of its pride and opposition to His divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a sustained series of prophecies against Egypt, spanning [Ezekiel 29](/ezekiel/29 "Ezekiel 29 - Prophecy Against Pharaoh") through [Ezekiel 32](/ezekiel/32 "Ezekiel 32 - Lament Over Pharaoh and Egypt"). These oracles immediately follow prophecies against Tyre and precede a message of hope for Israel, creating a literary sandwich where God's judgment on surrounding nations highlights His ultimate faithfulness to His covenant people. Specifically, [Ezekiel 30](/ezekiel/30 "Ezekiel 30 - Further Prophecies Against Egypt") focuses on the "day of the Lord" for Egypt, describing its utter desolation and the breaking of Pharaoh's arm, signifying the complete shattering of its military and political power. Verse 23, therefore, details a key consequence of this divine judgment: the forced diaspora of the Egyptian populace, mirroring the scattering often prophesied for disobedient Israel, thereby emphasizing the universality of God's justice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Ezekiel's prophecy (early 6th century BCE), Egypt was a formidable power, though its influence was waning. Judah had historically looked to Egypt as a potential ally against the rising Babylonian Empire, a reliance that God repeatedly condemned as a misplaced trust (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). Pharaoh Hophra (Apries) was the reigning monarch, and Egypt's pride in its military strength, its idolatry, and its unreliability as an ally to God's people were central to God's condemnation. The scattering of a conquered people was a common punitive measure by ancient Near Eastern empires, designed to break national identity and prevent rebellion. God's declaration to "scatter the Egyptians" thus employs a culturally recognizable form of judgment, but asserts divine agency over the process, demonstrating that even the actions of conquering empires are ultimately instruments of His sovereign will.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 30:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**, asserting that Yahweh is not merely the God of Israel but the supreme ruler over all peoples and empires. The repeated phrase "I will scatter" emphasizes God's direct, active role in shaping the destinies of nations, contrasting sharply with the limited power of human rulers like Pharaoh, whose "arm" God promises to break ([Ezekiel 30:21](/ezekiel/30-21 "Ezekiel 30:21 - Breaking Pharaoh's Arm")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Universality of God's Justice**, demonstrating that His righteous judgment extends beyond His covenant people, Israel, to encompass all nations that defy Him through pride, idolatry, or oppression. Egypt's scattering serves as a vivid example of God's impartial justice, reminding all that no nation, however mighty, is exempt from accountability before Him. This theme resonates with other prophecies against foreign nations found throughout the Old Testament, such as those in [Amos 1-2](/amos/1 "Amos 1-2 - Oracles Against the Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scatter (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** This word (H6327) is a primitive root meaning "to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)." It conveys a sense of violent, forceful breaking apart and spreading out. In this context, it emphasizes the complete disintegration of Egypt's national unity and power, not merely a gentle relocation but a shattering of its collective identity.
* **Egyptians (Hebrew, _Mitsrayim'_):** This term (H4714) refers to both the land of Egypt and its people, specifically Upper and Lower Egypt. Its use here highlights that the judgment is directed at the entire nation, encompassing all its inhabitants, signifying a comprehensive and inescapable divine decree against the entirety of Egyptian society.
* **disperse (Hebrew, _zârâh'_):** This word (H2219) is a primitive root meaning "to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow." It often carries the connotation of winnowing grain, where the valuable grain is separated from the worthless chaff by being thrown into the wind. Here, it reinforces the idea of a thorough and widespread scattering, suggesting that the Egyptian people will be spread far and wide, losing their cohesion and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations":** This clause declares God's direct, active agency in the judgment. The use of "I will" underscores divine sovereignty. The "Egyptians" are the specific target, and their scattering "among the nations" signifies a loss of their national homeland, identity, and concentrated power. They will become a dispersed people, losing their distinctiveness and influence as a unified empire.
* **"and will disperse them through the countries":** This second clause functions as a synonymous parallel, reinforcing and intensifying the first. "Disperse" reiterates the idea of scattering, while "through the countries" emphasizes the vast geographical extent of this dispersion. It implies a thorough and inescapable judgment, ensuring that the Egyptians will not be able to regroup or re-establish their former might within their own land.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 30:23 primarily employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, a common feature of Hebrew poetry and prophetic discourse. The two clauses, "And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations" and "and will disperse them through the countries," express essentially the same idea using different but related verbs ("scatter" and "disperse") and nouns ("nations" and "countries"). This parallelism serves to intensify the message, emphasizing the certainty and thoroughness of God's judgment against Egypt. It is not merely a partial scattering, but a complete and widespread dispersion. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Divine Fiat/Pronouncement**, where God directly declares His intentions using the first-person pronoun "I will." This highlights His absolute authority and power, making it clear that this judgment is not a mere prediction of human events but a sovereign decree from the Almighty. The judgment is also an example of **Poetic Justice**, as Egypt, which had often oppressed and enslaved, would now itself experience a form of national subjugation and loss of freedom, albeit through dispersion rather than direct enslavement by a single power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 30:23 stands as a profound declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the impartiality of His justice. It reveals that no nation, however powerful or self-assured, is beyond the reach of His divine judgment. The scattering of Egypt serves as a stark reminder that pride, idolatry, and a refusal to acknowledge God's ultimate authority will inevitably lead to downfall. This truth encourages humility and a recognition that all earthly powers are transient and ultimately accountable to the Creator of the heavens and the earth. God's judgment on Egypt, a nation that often stood as a symbol of worldly strength and a false hope for Israel, underscores the futility of trusting in human might rather than in the living God.

* [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")
* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of the Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 30:23 offers enduring lessons for believers today, reminding us that God remains sovereign over all earthly powers and political landscapes. In a world often characterized by geopolitical shifts, the rise and fall of empires, and the allure of human strength, this verse calls us to place our ultimate trust not in fleeting worldly alliances or the might of nations, but in the unchanging, omnipotent God. It encourages a posture of humility, recognizing that our security and hope are found solely in His unfailing power and provision, rather than in any human institution or resource. Moreover, the historical fulfillment of this prophecy serves as a powerful affirmation of the reliability and truthfulness of God's Word. What He declares, He will indeed bring to pass, giving us profound confidence in His promises for our future and His ultimate plan for redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the scattering of Egypt challenge our contemporary tendency to place ultimate trust in political leaders, national strength, or economic stability?**
* **In what ways might our own lives or communities exhibit pride or self-reliance that needs to be broken by God's sovereign hand?**
* **What confidence does the historical fulfillment of prophecies like Ezekiel 30:23 give us regarding God's promises for the future, both for individuals and for the world?**

### FAQ
**Why was God so harsh with Egypt?**

Answer: God's judgment on Egypt, as seen in Ezekiel 30:23 and the surrounding chapters, was not arbitrary but a righteous response to Egypt's long history of pride, idolatry, and its role as a deceptive and unreliable ally to God's people, Israel. Egypt's Pharaohs often boasted of their own power and divinity, challenging the supremacy of Yahweh. Furthermore, Egypt's influence often led Israel astray into idolatry and a false sense of security, rather than trusting in God alone (see [Isaiah 30:1-7](/isaiah/30-1 "Isaiah 30:1-7 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). God's judgment demonstrates His universal justice, proving that He is sovereign over all nations and holds even the mightiest empires accountable for their sin and arrogance. The severity of the judgment underscores the seriousness of defying the one true God.

**Did this prophecy of scattering truly come to pass?**

Answer: Yes, historical evidence suggests that the prophecy of Egypt's scattering and diminished status was fulfilled. While Egypt was not completely wiped off the map, it never regained its former glory as a dominant world power after the Babylonian conquest. Nebuchadnezzar did indeed conquer Egypt, as prophesied in [Ezekiel 29:19-20](/ezekiel/29-19 "Ezekiel 29:19-20 - Nebuchadnezzar's Reward for Tyre"), and elements of its population were dispersed or subjugated. Subsequent foreign powers, including the Persians, Greeks (Ptolemies), and Romans, ruled Egypt, ensuring it remained under foreign dominion for centuries. This continuous subjugation and the presence of foreign rulers and populations within Egypt effectively fulfilled the spirit of the prophecy, preventing it from ever again being a unified, independent, and dominant force among the nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 30:23 speaks of the scattering of a nation under divine judgment, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound reversal and transformation brought about by the person and work of Jesus Christ. The judgment on Egypt, a symbol of worldly power and rebellion against God, foreshadows the ultimate judgment that falls upon sin and all who reject God's rule. Yet, in Christ, we see not a scattering unto desolation, but a gathering unto salvation. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's judgment on the cross, taking upon Himself the scattering and brokenness that sin deserved, so that those who believe in Him might be gathered into His eternal kingdom. His death and resurrection represent the ultimate triumph over all earthly powers and spiritual principalities, fulfilling the theme of God's sovereignty over nations in a redemptive way (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through Christ, the scattered "nations" and "countries" are now invited to be reconciled to God, forming a new spiritual nation, the Church, gathered from every tribe and tongue (as seen in [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Great Multitude from Every Nation")). Thus, the judgment on Egypt points forward to the comprehensive and redemptive work of Christ, who gathers those who were once scattered by sin and brings them into His everlasting peace and unity.

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

Ezekiel 30:17

The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth shall fall by the sword: and these [cities] shall go into captivity.

Ezekiel 30:18

At Tehaphnehes also the day shall be darkened, when I shall break there the yokes of Egypt: and the pomp of her strength shall cease in her: as for her, a cloud shall cover her, and her daughters shall go into captivity.

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.

Ezekiel 29:12

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.

Ezekiel 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: