What does Ezekiel 29:13 mean?
"¶ Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:" - Ezekiel 29:13

Ezekiel 29:13 (KJV) states: "Yet thus saith the Lord God; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered."
This verse is part of a prophecy given by the prophet Ezekiel to Pharaoh of Egypt. In this particular prophecy, God is speaking through Ezekiel, declaring that at the end of forty years, He will gather the Egyptians from the places where they have been scattered.
The book of Ezekiel was written during a time when the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel himself was among the exiles and he received numerous prophecies from God during this time. The specific prophecy in Ezekiel 29:13 was directed towards Egypt, which was a powerful and influential nation at that time.
The first theme that can be extracted from this verse is the sovereignty of God. God is the one who is speaking through Ezekiel, and He is declaring His ultimate control and authority over the nations. Despite the power and influence of Egypt, God states that it is He who will gather the Egyptians from the places where they have been scattered. This theme of God's sovereignty is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the fact that God is in control of all things, including the rise and fall of nations.
Another theme that can be found in this verse is the faithfulness of God. The gathering of the Egyptians from their scattered places is a promise that God is making, and it is a demonstration of His faithfulness to His people. Despite the fact that Egypt had a history of pride and arrogance, God is still showing His grace and mercy towards them by promising to gather them together. This theme of God's faithfulness is also seen throughout the Bible, as God continuously keeps His promises to His people, even when they are unfaithful to Him.
In terms of context, it is important to understand the historical backdrop of the prophecy. Egypt had a long history of being a powerful and influential nation in the ancient world. However, in the time of Ezekiel, Egypt was beginning to decline in power and influence. The prophecy in Ezekiel 29:13 was given during a time when Egypt was facing the threat of being conquered and scattered by other nations. This context is important in understanding the significance of the prophecy, as it reassured the Egyptians that God had not forgotten them and that He would gather them back together after a period of scattering.
In terms of symbolism, the gathering of the Egyptians from their scattered places can be seen as a symbol of restoration and renewal. It symbolizes the idea that God has the power to bring order out of chaos and to bring unity out of dispersion. This symbolism is not only relevant to the ancient Egyptians, but it is also a powerful reminder to all believers that God has the power to bring restoration and renewal to their lives, no matter how scattered or broken they may feel.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 29:13 is a significant verse that speaks of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the promise of restoration. It is a reminder that God is in control of all things, and that He is faithful to His promises. The historical context of the verse adds depth to its meaning, and the symbolism of gathering the scattered Egyptians speaks to the universal truth of God's power to bring restoration and renewal to His people.
Have questions about Ezekiel 29:13?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Ezekiel 29:13 Artwork
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:"
"¶ Yet thus saith the Lord GOD; At the end of forty years will I gather the Egyptians from the people whither they were scattered:" - Ezekiel 29:13
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Ezekiel 28:13
Exodus 13:17-14:29
Ezekiel 29:1 - "In the tenth year, in the tenth month, in the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Leviticus 13:29 - "¶ If a man or woman have a plague upon the head or the beard;"
Ezekiel 1:6-13
Ezekiel 44:29 - "They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be their's."
Ezekiel 48:29 - "This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 29:14 - "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."
Ezekiel 29:6 - "And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel."
Ezekiel 16:29 - "Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith."
Ezekiel 29:2 - "Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:"
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
Proverbs 29:13 - "The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes."
Ezekiel 20:29 - "Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day."
Ezekiel 29:17 - "¶ And it came to pass in the seven and twentieth year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 29:11 - "No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years."
Ezekiel 36:29 - "I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you."
Ezekiel 13:1 - "And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Ezekiel 18:29 - "Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?"
Ezekiel 27:29 - "And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon the land;"
Ezekiel 22:29 - "The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully."
Ezekiel 34:29 - "And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more."
Ezekiel 13:4 - "O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts."
Ezekiel 19:13 - "And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground."