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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲבָר
shall pass through
H5674
תַעֲבָר
shall pass through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
2 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְרֶ֥גֶל
No foot
H7272
וְרֶ֥גֶל
No foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
4 of 14
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
אָדָ֔ם
of man
H120
אָדָ֔ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 14
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
וְרֶ֥גֶל
No foot
H7272
וְרֶ֥גֶל
No foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 14
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
of beast
H929
בְּהֵמָ֖ה
of beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲבָר
shall pass through
H5674
תַעֲבָר
shall pass through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
9 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
Following Nebuchadnezzar's invasion and subsequent turmoil, Egypt experienced severe depopulation. Though exact chronology is debated, historical records indicate significant Egyptian exile to Babylon and internal displacement. The forty-year desolation represents the period when Egypt lost sovereignty and population, not regaining stability until Persian period.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does forty frequently appear as a period of judgment or testing?
- What does complete abandonment (no human or beast) symbolize about divine displeasure?
- How do specific time periods in prophecy differ from symbolic imagery?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years predicts extreme desolation lasting forty years. The number forty appears frequently in Scripture as a period of testing, judgment, or transition (flood, wilderness wandering, Nineveh's warning, Christ's temptation). Neither human nor animal will traverse Egypt for this period—indicating complete abandonment. The specificity (forty years) demonstrates this isn't poetic exaggeration but literal prophecy. Uninhabited means population removed through deportation and destruction.