Ezekiel 29:9
New International Version
Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “’Because you said, “The Nile is mine; I made it,”

New Living Translation
The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD. “Because you said, ‘The Nile River is mine; I made it,’

English Standard Version
and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’

Berean Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’

King James Bible
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

New King James Version
And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the LORD, because he said, ‘The River is mine, and I have made it.

New American Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will become a desolation and place of ruins. Then they will know that I am the LORD. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I have made it,

NASB 1995
“The land of Egypt will become a desolation and waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I have made it,’

NASB 1977
“And the land of Egypt will become a desolation and waste. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I have made it,

Legacy Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will become a desolation and waste. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I have made it,’

Amplified Bible
and the land of Egypt will be a desolation and a wasteland. And they will know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine and I have made it,’

Christian Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will be a desolate ruin. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, “The Nile is my own; I made it,”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will be a desolate ruin. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. Because you said, ‘The Nile is my own; I made it,’

American Standard Version
And the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste; and they shall know that I am Jehovah. Because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it;

Contemporary English Version
until your land is a barren desert. Then you will know that I have done these things. You claimed that you made the Nile River and control it.

English Revised Version
And the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Egypt will become a wasteland and a pile of rubble. Then you will know that I am the LORD. You said, "The Nile River is mine. I made it."

Good News Translation
Egypt will become an empty wasteland. Then you will know that I am the LORD. "Because you said that the Nile is yours and you made it,

International Standard Version
and the land of Egypt will be turned into a desolate ruin. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Because Egypt said, "The Nile is mine. I made it!"

Majority Standard Bible
The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’

NET Bible
The land of Egypt will become a desolate ruin. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because he said, "The Nile is mine and I made it,"

New Heart English Bible
The land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD. Because he has said, 'The river is mine, and I have made it;'

Webster's Bible Translation
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he hath said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

World English Bible
The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am Yahweh. “‘“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it,’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the land of Egypt has been for a desolation and a ruin, "" And they have known that I [am] YHWH, "" Because he said: The flood [is] mine, and I made [it].

Young's Literal Translation
And the land of Egypt hath been for a desolation and a waste, And they have known that I am Jehovah. Because he said: The flood is mine, and I made it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the land of Egypt was for desolation and waste; and they shall know that I am Jehovah, because he said, The river is to me; I made.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the land of Egypt shall become a desert, and a wilderness: and they shall know that I am the Lord: because thou hast said: The river is mine, and I made

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the land of Egypt will be a desert and a wilderness. And they shall know that I am the Lord. For you have said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it.’

New American Bible
The land of Egypt shall become a desolate waste; then they shall know that I am the LORD. Because you said, “The Nile belongs to me; I made it!”

New Revised Standard Version
and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they shall know that I am the LORD. Because you said, “The Nile is mine, and I made it,”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD, because you have said, The river is mine; I have made it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the land of Egypt shall be for destruction and for the sword, and they shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH, because you said, "The river is mine, and I made it"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste, and they shall know that I am the LORD; because he hath said: The river is mine, and I have made it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the land of Egypt shall be ruined and desert; and they shall know that I am the Lord; because thou sayest, The rivers are mine, and I made them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Desolation of Egypt
8Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will bring a sword against you and cut off from you man and beast. 9The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’ 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.…

Cross References
Isaiah 19:5-10
The waters of the Nile will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty. / The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither. / The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and all the fields sown along the Nile, will wither, blow away, and be no more. ...

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.

Psalm 74:13-14
You divided the sea by Your strength; You smashed the heads of the dragons of the sea; / You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.

Isaiah 19:1-4
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 30:7
Egypt’s help is futile and empty; therefore I have called her Rahab Who Sits Still.

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

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 11:15
The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.

Isaiah 51:9-10
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? / Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?

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.

Revelation 17:1
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.

Revelation 18:2-3
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. / All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 1:51-52
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.


Treasury of Scripture

And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the LORD: because he has said, The river is mine, and I have made it.

the land

Ezekiel 29:10-12
Behold, therefore I am against thee, and against thy rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from the tower of Syene even unto the border of Ethiopia…

Ezekiel 30:7,13-17
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 43:10-13
And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them…

because

Ezekiel 29:3
Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

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Desolate Desolation Egypt Flood Nile River Unpeopled Waste Wasteland
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Desolate Desolation Egypt Flood Nile River Unpeopled Waste Wasteland
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














The land of Egypt
This phrase refers to the geographical and political entity known as Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history. In Hebrew, "Egypt" is "Mitzrayim," which is often associated with bondage and idolatry in the biblical narrative. Egypt was a powerful and influential civilization, known for its advanced culture and military might. Historically, Egypt was both a refuge and a place of oppression for the Israelites, symbolizing worldly power and opposition to God's people. In the context of Ezekiel, Egypt represents a nation that has set itself against God's purposes, and thus, it faces divine judgment.

will become a desolate wasteland
The Hebrew word for "desolate" is "shamem," which conveys a sense of utter devastation and ruin. This prophecy indicates a complete reversal of Egypt's fortunes, from a thriving civilization to a barren land. The imagery of a "wasteland" underscores the severity of God's judgment. Historically, Egypt was known for its fertile land, particularly the Nile Delta, which was the breadbasket of the ancient world. The transformation into a wasteland signifies the removal of God's blessing and protection, highlighting the consequences of pride and rebellion against God.

Then they will know that I am the LORD
This phrase is a recurring theme in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the recognition of God's sovereignty and authority. The Hebrew word for "know" is "yada," which implies an intimate understanding and acknowledgment. The judgment upon Egypt serves a dual purpose: it is both punitive and revelatory. Through these events, both Egypt and the surrounding nations are meant to recognize the LORD's power and supremacy. This acknowledgment is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, transformative realization of God's rightful place as the sovereign ruler of all nations.

Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’
This statement reflects the arrogance and self-sufficiency of Egypt, personified in its rulers. The Nile River was the lifeblood of Egypt, essential for its agriculture, economy, and overall prosperity. Claiming ownership and creation of the Nile is an expression of hubris, attributing to human power what is ultimately a gift from God. In the Hebrew context, such a declaration is blasphemous, as it denies God's role as the Creator and Sustainer. This prideful assertion is a direct challenge to God's authority, and it is this attitude that brings about divine judgment. The verse serves as a reminder of the dangers of pride and the importance of recognizing God's hand in all aspects of life.

(9) Because he hath said.--Again, as in Ezekiel 29:6, the division of the verses is very unfortunate. The expression "shall know that I am the Lord," so common in Ezekiel, always closes a train of thought. The new sentence begins with the reason for the judgment upon Egypt--because of its pride.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The land
אֶֽרֶץ־ (’e·reṣ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Egypt
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

will become
וְהָיְתָ֤ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a desolate
לִשְׁמָמָ֣ה (liš·mā·māh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8077: Devastation, astonishment

wasteland.
וְחָרְבָּ֔ה (wə·ḥā·rə·bāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin

Then they will know
וְיָדְע֖וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Because
יַ֧עַן (ya·‘an)
Adverb
Strong's 3282: Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause

you said,
אָמַ֛ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The Nile [is]
יְאֹ֥ר (yə·’ōr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2975: Nile -- a channel, a fosse, canal, shaft, the Nile, the Tigris

mine;
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

I
וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

made it,”
עָשִֽׂיתִי׃ (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 29:9 The land of Egypt shall be (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 29:8
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