King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 29:12 Mean?

Ezekiel 29:12 in the King James Version says “And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate, and her cities among the cit...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 29:12 · KJV

Context

10

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. utterly: Heb. wastes of waste from: or, from Migdol to Syene Syene: Heb. Seveneh

11

No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years.

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.

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:

14

And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom. habitation: or, birth base: Heb. low

Read Ezekiel 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate compares Egypt's fate to other judged nations. And her cities among the cities that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years reiterates the time period. And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries predicts diaspora—population scattered in exile. This mirrors Israel's earlier judgment (Assyrian and Babylonian exiles). God applies the same justice to all peoples. Nations that judge Israel find themselves judged identically. The oppressor experiences what they inflicted—poetic justice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Egyptian prisoners of war and exiles were deported by Babylon, just as Judeans had been. The reversal is striking: Egypt, which enslaved Israel in Exodus, is itself enslaved and exiled. Egypt, which mocked Jerusalem's fall, experiences identical judgment. What goes around comes around—divine justice is precisely measured.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God apply identical justice to all peoples regardless of status?
  2. What does experiencing what we inflicted teach about divine justice?
  3. How are current oppressors heading toward experiencing their own oppression?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְנָתַתִּ֣י1 of 22

“And I will make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃3 of 22

“of the countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙4 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שְׁמָמָ֔ה5 of 22

“desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

בְּת֨וֹךְ6 of 22

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃7 of 22

“of the countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

נְשַׁמּ֗וֹת8 of 22

“that are desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

עָרִ֤ים9 of 22

“and her cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּת֨וֹךְ10 of 22

“among”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

עָרִ֤ים11 of 22

“and her cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

מָֽחֳרָבוֹת֙12 of 22

“that are laid waste”

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

תִּֽהְיֶ֣יןָ13 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שְׁמָמָ֔ה14 of 22

“desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

אַרְבָּעִ֖ים15 of 22

“forty”

H705

forty

שָׁנָ֑ה16 of 22

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וַהֲפִצֹתִ֤י17 of 22

“and I will scatter”

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

אֶת18 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙19 of 22

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם20 of 22

“among the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וְֽזֵרִיתִ֖ים21 of 22

“and will disperse”

H2219

to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow

בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃22 of 22

“of the countries”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 29:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 29:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 30:23Ezekiel 30:7Jeremiah 46:19Jeremiah 25:15-19Ezekiel 30:26Jeremiah 27:6-11

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 29 →

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