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.
I will make the land of Egypt desolate ... forty years: and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations - as Israel passed through a term of wilderness-discipline (cf. Ezekiel 20:35, etc.), which was in its essential features to be repeated again, so it was to be with Egypt (Fairbairn). Some Egyptians were to be carried to Babylon, also many "scattered" in Arabia and Ethiopia through fear; but mainly the 'scattering' was to be the dissipation of their power, even though the people still remained in their own land.