Ezekiel 29:12 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.

◄ Ezekiel 29:12 ►

New International Version
I will make the land of Egypt desolate among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries.

New Living Translation
I will make Egypt desolate, and it will be surrounded by other desolate nations. Its cities will be empty and desolate for forty years, surrounded by other ruined cities. I will scatter the Egyptians to distant lands.

English Standard Version
And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and among the cities that are laid waste, her cities shall be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.”

New American Standard Bible
So I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of deserted lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate for forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.”

NASB 1995
“So I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.”

NASB 1977
“So I shall make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years; and I shall scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated lands. And her cities, in the midst of cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them among the lands.”

Amplified Bible
So I will make the land of Egypt a desolation [plundered and ruined] among desolated lands; and her cities, among cities that are laid waste, will be desolate forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and [I will] disperse them through the lands.”

Christian Standard Bible
I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and its cities will be a desolation among ruined cities for forty years. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolate lands, and its cities will be a desolation among ruined cities for 40 years. I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them across 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.

Contemporary English Version
It will be the most barren place on earth. Every city in Egypt will lie in ruins during those 40 years, and I will scatter your people throughout the nations of the world.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will make Egypt the most desolate country in the world. For 40 years Egypt's cities will lie in ruins. They will be ruined more than any other city. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and force them into other countries.

Good News Translation
I will make Egypt the most desolate country in the world. For forty years the cities of Egypt will lie in ruins, ruins worse than those of any other city. I will make the Egyptians refugees. They will flee to every country and live among other peoples."

International Standard Version
I'll see to it that Egypt becomes a devastated land in the midst of devastated lands. Her cities deep inside her territories will be laid waste and desolate for 40 years. I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them throughout the land.'"

Majority 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.

NET Bible
I will turn the land of Egypt into a desolation in the midst of desolate lands; for forty years her cities will lie desolate in the midst of ruined cities. I will scatter Egypt among the nations and disperse them among foreign countries.

New Heart English Bible
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."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I have made the land of Egypt a desolation, "" In the midst of desolate lands, "" And its cities, in the midst of cities [that are] laid waste, "" Are a desolation [for] forty years, "" And I have scattered the Egyptians among nations, "" And I have dispersed them through lands.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I gave the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of the lands being desolate, and her, cities in the midst of the cities laid waste shall be a desolation forty years: and I scattered Egypt among the nations and I dispersed them in the lands.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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 gears: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will set the land of Egypt in desolation, in the midst of desolate lands, and its cities in the midst of overturned cites. And they will be desolate for forty years. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and I will disperse them among the lands.

New American Bible
I will make the land of Egypt the most desolate among desolate lands; Its cities, the most deserted among deserted cities for forty years; I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout other lands.

New Revised Standard Version
I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among desolated countries; and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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 I will disperse them through the countries.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall give the land of Egypt to destruction among the cities that are deserted, and her cities shall be for destruction forty years among the cities that are desolate, and I shall scatter Egypt among the nations, and I shall scatter them among the countries

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will cause her land to be utterly destroyed in the midst of a land that is desolate, and her cities shall be desolate forty years in the midst of cities that are desolate: and I will disperse Egypt among the nations, and will utterly scatter them into the countries.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Desolation of Egypt
…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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 46:19
Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited.

Isaiah 19:1-15
This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. / “So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. / Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. ...

Jeremiah 25:19
Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his leaders, and all his people;

Isaiah 11:11
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Jeremiah 43:11-13
He will come and strike down the land of Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword. / I will kindle a fire in the temples of the gods of Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar will burn those temples and take their gods as captives. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself in his garment, and he will depart from there unscathed. / He will demolish the sacred pillars of the temple of the sun in the land of Egypt, and he will burn down the temples of the gods of Egypt.’”

Isaiah 19:23-25
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. / In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. / The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.”

Jeremiah 44:30
This is what the LORD says: Behold, I will deliver Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hands of his enemies who seek his life, just as I delivered Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the enemy who was seeking his life.”

Isaiah 20:3-5
Then the LORD said, “Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and omen against Egypt and Cush, / so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. / Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.

Jeremiah 46:25-26
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh. / I will deliver them into the hands of those who seek their lives—of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. But after this, Egypt will be inhabited as in days of old, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 30:2-3
They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

Revelation 11:8
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.

Isaiah 45:14
This is what the LORD says: “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, along with the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you; they will come over in chains and bow down to you. They will confess to you: ‘God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.’”

Revelation 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.

Isaiah 19:16-17
In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will tremble with fear beneath the uplifted hand of the LORD of Hosts, when He brandishes it against them. / The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; whenever Judah is mentioned, Egypt will tremble over what the LORD of Hosts has planned against it.

Matthew 2:15
where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Treasury of Scripture

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the middle 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.

desolate in

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.

Jeremiah 25:15-19
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 27:6-11
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…

Ezekiel 30:23
And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.

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.

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Ezekiel 29

1. The judgment of Pharaoh for his treachery to Israel
8. The desolation of Egypt
13. The restoration thereof after forty years
17. Egypt the reward of Nebuchadnezzar
21. Israel shall be restored

Berean Study Bible

I will make the land of Egypt a desolation
This phrase speaks to the divine judgment pronounced by God through the prophet Ezekiel. The Hebrew word for "desolation" is "שְׁמָמָה" (shemamah), which conveys a sense of utter ruin and devastation. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and influential nation, often seen as a symbol of human pride and reliance on worldly power. God's declaration of making Egypt a desolation serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over nations and His ability to humble the proud. It underscores the biblical theme that reliance on anything other than God leads to destruction.

among devastated lands
The phrase "among devastated lands" places Egypt's impending desolation in the context of other nations that have faced similar judgments. The Hebrew root "שָׁמַם" (shamem) is used here, emphasizing the completeness of the devastation. This context serves as a warning to all nations that defy God's authority. It also reflects the historical reality of the ancient Near East, where empires rose and fell, often as a result of divine judgment. The phrase reminds believers of the transient nature of earthly power and the enduring nature of God's kingdom.

Her cities will lie desolate
The desolation of Egypt's cities signifies the collapse of its societal and economic structures. The Hebrew word for "cities" is "עִיר" (ir), which in ancient times were centers of culture, commerce, and governance. The desolation of these cities indicates a complete breakdown of the nation's infrastructure. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual desolation that occurs when a society turns away from God. It is a call for repentance and a return to divine principles, highlighting the importance of building communities on a foundation of faith.

for forty years
The specific period of "forty years" is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing a period of testing, trial, or judgment. The number forty appears frequently in Scripture, such as the forty years of Israel's wandering in the desert. This period of desolation for Egypt is a time of divine discipline, intended to bring about repentance and restoration. It serves as a reminder of God's patience and His desire for nations to turn back to Him. The forty years also reflect a complete generation, indicating a thorough purging and renewal process.

scattered among the nations
The scattering "among the nations" indicates a dispersion of the Egyptian people, similar to the exile experienced by Israel. The Hebrew root "זָרָה" (zarah) conveys the idea of being spread out or dispersed. This scattering serves as both a punishment and a means of purification, as it forces the people to confront their reliance on false gods and worldly power. It is a call to return to the one true God, who is the source of all strength and security. This scattering also foreshadows the gathering of God's people from all nations, a theme fulfilled in the New Testament through the spread of the Gospel.

and dispersed throughout the lands
The phrase "dispersed throughout the lands" emphasizes the extent of Egypt's judgment. The Hebrew word "פָּרַשׂ" (paras) suggests a thorough spreading out, indicating that no part of the nation will be untouched by this divine decree. This dispersion serves as a humbling experience, stripping away the pride and self-reliance that characterized Egypt. It is a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the hope of restoration through repentance. The dispersion also points to the universal reach of God's sovereignty, as He works through all nations to accomplish His purposes.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations. As before, records are silent as to any such dispersion. All that we can say is that such a deportation was uniformly the sequel of the conquests of an Oriental king, as in the case of the captivities of Samaria (2 Kings 17:6) and Jerusalem, and of the nations that were settled in Samaria (2 Kings 17:6), and of the Persians by Darius; that if we find reason to believe that Egypt was invaded by Nebuchadnezzar after the destruction of Jerusalem, we may assume, with little risk of doubt, that it was followed by what Ezekiel describes.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will make
וְנָתַתִּ֣י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the land
אֶרֶץ֩ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt
מִצְרַ֨יִם (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

a desolation
שְׁמָמָ֜ה (šə·mā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8077: Devastation, astonishment

among
בְּת֣וֹךְ ׀ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

desolate
נְשַׁמּ֗וֹת (nə·šam·mō·wṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy

lands,
אֲרָצ֣וֹת (’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and her cities
וְעָרֶ֙יהָ֙ (wə·‘ā·re·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

will lie
תִּֽהְיֶ֣יןָ (tih·ye·nā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

desolate
שְׁמָמָ֔ה (šə·mā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8077: Devastation, astonishment

forty
אַרְבָּעִ֖ים (’ar·bā·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 705: Forty

years
שָׁנָ֑ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

among
בְּת֨וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

the ruined
מָֽחֳרָבוֹת֙ (mā·ḥo·rā·ḇō·wṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill

cities.
עָרִ֤ים (‘ā·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

And I will disperse
וַהֲפִצֹתִ֤י (wa·hă·p̄i·ṣō·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered

the Egyptians
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ (miṣ·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

among the nations
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם (bag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

and scatter them
וְֽזֵרִיתִ֖ים (wə·zê·rî·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2219: To toss about, to diffuse, winnow

throughout the countries.?
בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃ (bā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 29:12 I will make the land of Egypt (Ezek. Eze Ezk)