Ezekiel 29:12

Ezekiel 29:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version 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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I will make the land of Egypt a waste among the countries which are made waste, and her towns will be unpeopled among the towns which have been made waste, for forty years: and I will send the Egyptians in flight among the nations and wandering through the countries.

Free Bible Version FBV

I will make Egypt more of a wasteland than any other country, and its towns will lie in ruins for forty years among all the other ruined towns. I will scatter the Egyptians among the different nations and countries.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I wil make the land of Egypt desolate in the middes of the countries, that are desolate, and her cities shall be desolate among the cities that are desolate, for fourtie yeeres: and I wil scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and wil disperse them through the countreis.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I have made the land of Egypt a desolation, In the midst of desolate lands, And its cities, in the midst of waste cities, Are a desolation forty years, And I have scattered the Egyptians among nations, And I have dispersed them through lands.

World English Bible WEB

I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the lands that are desolate, and the cities thereof in the midst of the cities that are destroyed, and they shall be desolate for forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

Translation for Translators T4T

Egypt will be barren/empty, and it will be surrounded by other desolate nations. The cities in Egypt will be empty and deserted for 40 years, surrounded by ruined cities in nearby nations. I will cause the people of Egypt to be scattered to countries far away.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 29:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Ezekiel 29:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/נָתַתִּ֣י אֶת אֶרֶץ֩ מִצְרַ֨יִם שְׁמָמָ֜ה בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ אֲרָצ֣וֹת נְשַׁמּ֗וֹת וְ/עָרֶ֨י/הָ֙ בְּ/ת֨וֹךְ עָרִ֤ים מָֽחֳרָבוֹת֙ תִּֽהְיֶ֣יןָ שְׁמָמָ֔ה אַרְבָּעִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַ/הֲפִצֹתִ֤י אֶת מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ בַּ/גּוֹיִ֔ם וְֽ/זֵרִיתִ֖י/ם בָּ/אֲרָצֽוֹת

וְ/נָתַתִּ֣י nâthan H5414 to give Conj | V-Qal-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

אֶרֶץ֩ ʼerets H776 land N-cs

מִצְרַ֨יִם Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt N-proper

שְׁמָמָ֜ה shᵉmâmâh H8077 Desolate N-fs

בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

אֲרָצ֣וֹת ʼerets H776 land N-cp

נְשַׁמּ֗וֹת shâmêm H8074 be desolate V-Niphal

וְ/עָרֶ֨י/הָ֙ ʻîyr H5892 excitement Conj | N-fp | Suff

בְּ/ת֨וֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

עָרִ֤ים ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fp

מָֽחֳרָבוֹת֙ chârab H2717 to dry V-Hophal-Inf-c

תִּֽהְיֶ֣יןָ hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3fp

שְׁמָמָ֔ה shᵉmâmâh H8077 Desolate N-fs

אַרְבָּעִ֖ים ʼarbâʻîym H705 forty Adj

שָׁנָ֑ה shâneh H8141 year N-fs

וַ/הֲפִצֹתִ֤י pûwts H6327 to scatter Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ Mitsrayim H4714 Egypt N-proper

בַּ/גּוֹיִ֔ם gôwy H1471 Gentile Prep | N-mp

וְֽ/זֵרִיתִ֖י/ם zârâh H2219 to scatter Conj | V-Piel-1cs | Suff

בָּ/אֲרָצֽוֹת ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cp

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 29:12

וְ/נָתַתִּ֣י nâthan H5414 "to give" Conj | V-Qal-1cs

This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.

Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon

Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

אֶרֶץ֩ ʼerets H776 "land" N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

מִצְרַ֨יִם Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" N-proper

This word means Egypt, a country in northeastern Africa, and is used in the Bible to describe the land and its people. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often referring to the Nile River and the Egyptians. Egypt is an important setting for many biblical events.

Definition: § Egypt = "land of the Copts" a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows Egyptians = "double straits" adj 2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

שְׁמָמָ֜ה shᵉmâmâh H8077 "Desolate" N-fs

This word refers to the state of being devastated or wasted, often used to describe the results of war or God's judgment. In Ezekiel 33:28, it describes the desolation of Israel. It's about a place being left empty and destroyed.

Definition: devastation, waste, desolation Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste. See also: Exodus 23:29; Ezekiel 14:16; Isaiah 1:7.

בְּ/ת֣וֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

אֲרָצ֣וֹת ʼerets H776 "land" N-cp

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

נְשַׁמּ֗וֹת shâmêm H8074 "be desolate" V-Niphal

The word 'shamem' means to be desolate or devastated, like a place left empty and destroyed, often used to describe the aftermath of war or disaster.

Definition: : destroyed/deserted 1) to be desolate, be appalled, stun, stupefy 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be desolated, be deflowered, be deserted, be appalled 1a2) to be appalled, be awestruck 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be desolated, be made desolate 1b2) to be appalled 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to be stunned 1c2) appalling, causing horror (participle) 1c2a) horror-causer, appaller (subst) 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to devastate, ravage, make desolated 1d2) to appal, show horror 1e) (Hophal) to lay desolate, be desolated 1f) (Hithpolel) 1f1) to cause to be desolate 1f2) to be appalled, be astounded 1f3) to cause oneself desolation, cause oneself ruin

Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be, bring into, unto, lay, lie, make) desolate(-ion, places), be destitute, destroy (self), (lay, lie, make) waste, wonder. See also: Leviticus 26:22; Jeremiah 50:13; Psalms 40:16.

וְ/עָרֶ֨י/הָ֙ ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Conj | N-fp | Suff

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

בְּ/ת֨וֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

עָרִ֤ים ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fp

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

מָֽחֳרָבוֹת֙ chârab H2717 "to dry" V-Hophal-Inf-c

To slay or destroy is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to dry up or desolate something. It is used to describe fighting, attacking, or laying waste.

Definition: 1) to be dry, be dried up 1a) (Qal) to be dried, be dried up 1b) (Pual) to be dried 1c) (Hiphil) to dry up 1d) (Hophal) to be dried up

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: decay, (be) desolate, destroy(-er), (be) dry (up), slay, [idiom] surely, (lay, lie, make) waste. See also: Genesis 8:13; Isaiah 50:2; Psalms 106:9.

תִּֽהְיֶ֣יןָ hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3fp

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

שְׁמָמָ֔ה shᵉmâmâh H8077 "Desolate" N-fs

Definition: devastation, waste, desolation Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: (laid, [idiom] most) desolate(-ion), waste. See also: Exodus 23:29; Ezekiel 14:16; Isaiah 1:7.

אַרְבָּעִ֖ים ʼarbâʻîym H705 "forty" Adj

The number forty is what this Hebrew word represents, often used in the Bible to mark significant periods of time, like the 40 days of rain in Genesis or the 40 years of Israel's wilderness journey.

Definition: forty

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: -forty. See also: Genesis 5:13; Judges 13:1; Psalms 95:10.

שָׁנָ֑ה shâneh H8141 "year" N-fs

This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.

Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)

Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.

וַ/הֲפִצֹתִ֤י pûwts H6327 "to scatter" Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs

To shatter means to break something into pieces, either physically or figuratively. It can also mean to disperse or scatter people or things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) to scatter, be dispersed, be scattered 1a) (Qal) to be dispersed, be scattered 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be scattered 1b2) to be spread abroad 1c) (Hiphil) to scatter 1d) Hithpael) scatter

Usage: Occurs in 66 OT verses. KJV: break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad. See also: Genesis 10:18; Jeremiah 10:21; Psalms 18:15.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ Mitsrayim H4714 "Egypt" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 569 OT verses. KJV: Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim. See also: Genesis 10:6; Exodus 6:13; Exodus 34:18.

בַּ/גּוֹיִ֔ם gôwy H1471 "Gentile" Prep | N-mp

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

וְֽ/זֵרִיתִ֖י/ם zârâh H2219 "to scatter" Conj | V-Piel-1cs | Suff

This Hebrew verb means to scatter or toss something about, and can also imply diffusing or winnowing. It is used in various forms throughout the Bible, including the books of Psalms and Isaiah. The word has different meanings based on context, such as casting away or spreading out.

Definition: 1) to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow, disperse, compass, spread, be scattered, be dispersed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to scatter 1a2) to fan, winnow 1b) (Niphal) to be scattered, be dispersed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to scatter, disperse (intensive of Qal) 1c2) to winnow, sift 1d) (Pual) to be scattered, be spread out

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow. See also: Exodus 32:20; Jeremiah 49:32; Psalms 44:12.

בָּ/אֲרָצֽוֹת ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | N-cp

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 29:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Ezekiel 29:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 29:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:12
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12
Sermons on Ezekiel 29:12

Context — The Desolation of Egypt

10therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush. 11No foot of man or beast will pass through, and it will be uninhabited for forty years.

12I 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.

13For 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. 14I will restore Egypt from captivity and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin. There they will be a lowly kingdom.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 46:19	Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited.
2	Ezekiel 30:7	They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities.
3	Ezekiel 30:23	I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.
4	Ezekiel 30:26	I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
5	Jeremiah 25:15–19	This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.” So I took the cup from the LORD’s hand and made all the nations drink from it, each one to whom the LORD had sent me, to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials; Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his leaders, and all his people;
6	Jeremiah 27:6–11	So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him. As for the nation or kingdom that does not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and does not place its neck under his yoke, I will punish that nation by sword and famine and plague, declares the LORD, until I have destroyed it by his hand. But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’ For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish. But the nation that will put its neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon and serve him, I will leave in its own land, to cultivate it and reside in it, declares the LORD.”

Ezekiel 29:12 Summary

[Ezekiel 29:12 tells us that God will make the land of Egypt a desolation, with its cities lying empty for 40 years, as a judgment for their sins. This is similar to the judgment on other nations in the Bible, such as Babylon in Isaiah 13:19-22. God will also scatter the Egyptians among other nations, but He promises to restore them later, as seen in Ezekiel 29:14. This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and kingdoms, and that He will judge sin and rebellion, but also offer restoration and mercy to those who repent, as seen in (Isaiah 55:7) and (1 John 1:9).]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God promise to make the land of Egypt a desolation in Ezekiel 29:12?

God promises to make the land of Egypt a desolation as a judgment for their sins, as seen in Ezekiel 29:10, where He says He is against Egypt and will turn it into a ruin, similar to the judgment on Babylon in Isaiah 13:19-22.

What is the significance of the 40-year period of desolation in Ezekiel 29:12?

The 40-year period of desolation is a time of judgment and purification for Egypt, similar to the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness in Numbers 14:33-34, and it will end with God gathering the Egyptians from the nations to which they were scattered, as promised in Ezekiel 29:13.

Will Egypt ever be restored after this period of desolation?

Yes, according to Ezekiel 29:14, God will restore Egypt from captivity and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, where they will be a lowly kingdom, similar to the restoration of Israel in Ezekiel 37:21-22.

What does it mean for the Egyptians to be dispersed among the nations and scattered throughout the countries in Ezekiel 29:12?

This means that the Egyptians will be forced to leave their homeland and live among other nations, similar to the dispersion of the Israelites in Deuteronomy 28:64, and it will be a time of hardship and struggle for them, but also an opportunity for them to hear the gospel and turn to God, as seen in Acts 2:10.

Reflection Questions

What can we learn from Egypt's judgment about God's character and His response to sin?
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's sovereignty over nations and kingdoms?
What does this verse teach us about the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of disobedience?
How can we apply the principles of this verse to our own lives and nations, recognizing the importance of humility and repentance?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:12

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate,.... As Judea and others, made desolate by the king of Babylon: and her cities among the cities that are

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

This verse is a further repeated confirmation of what was said before, and needs no new explication, every thing in it being already spoken to in the former verses. Among the nations; some into captivity, others by a timely retirement dispersed themselves, and got among their neighbours, who escaped, and where they kept, till the forty years expired.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

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.Ver. 12. In the midst of the countries.] Palestine, Moab, Edom, Judea, &c. See Jeremiah 46:18-20 And her cities.] Which are said to have been twenty thousand in the reign of Amasis, the chief whereof were Alexandria, Thebes, Babylon, Memphis, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

(12) Scatter the Egyptians among the nations.—Megasthenes and Berosus state that Nebuchadnezzar on his conquest of Egypt, sent great numbers of the people captive to Babylon; others doubtless, as in similar cases, took refuge in Ethiopia, Libya, and other neighbouring lands. The kind of desolation foretold for Egypt is the same as that for “desolate” cities and countries that fell under the power of the conqueror: they were to be plundered and reduced to subjection.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Verse 12. Shall be desolate forty years] The country from Migdol or Magdolan, which was on the isthmus between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, was so completely ruined, that it might well be called desert; and it is probable that this desolation continued during the whole of the reign of Amasis, which was just forty years. See Herod. lib. iii. c. 10; and see Calmet.

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:12

12. Cf. Ezekiel 12:15, Ezekiel 26:19, Ezekiel 30:7.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

12. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations — Every oriental conqueror took back with him strings of captives and gave them as slaves to his soldiers and allies; but certainly there was no

Sermons on Ezekiel 29:12

	Sermon	Description
	The Conviction We Need by Robert Wurtz II	In this sermon, the preacher, Brother Finney, speaks for two hours on the subject of God's love. The congregation becomes intensely interested, with many people rising to their fee
	The Conviction We Need! by Robert Wurtz II	Robert Wurtz II preaches on 'The Necessity of Holy Ghost Conviction,' emphasizing the crucial role of genuine conviction of sin by the Spirit of God for true conversion. He highlig
	Jeremiah 49:12 by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of Jesus drinking the cup of God's wrath, a metaphor for divine judgment, as prophesied for Edom. He explains that while Edom will face judg
	The Nations the Enemies of Israel-Their Final Opposition to Jerusalem Followed by Judgment Upon Them by Arno Clemens Gaebelein	Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the distinction between the nation of Israel and the nations, highlighting God's chosen people and the disobedience of Israel leading to the d

← Ezekiel 29:11 Ezekiel 29:13 →

Ezekiel 29:12

Ezekiel 29:12 in Multiple Translations

Cite / Share This Page

Study Highlights

Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 29:12

Ezekiel 29:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 29:12

Study Notes — Ezekiel 29:12

Context — The Desolation of Egypt

Cross References

Ezekiel 29:12 Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Reflection Questions

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 29:12

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 29:12

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 29:12

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 29:12

Sermons on Ezekiel 29:12