And she shall be desolated in the midst of desolated countries means Egypt will be “deserted” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version) and “empty” (New International Reader’s Version) because of its total destruction. Instead of the pronoun she, the Hebrew text has “they.” The plural pronoun in Hebrew refers to the Egyptians, but their land is in focus here, so Revised Standard Version‘s rendering is appropriate. For desolated in the midst of desolated countries, see 29.12.

And her cities shall be in the midst of cities that are laid waste: See the comments on 29.12.

Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .