King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 11:15 Mean?

Ezekiel 11:15 in the King James Version says “Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto w...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession.”

Ezekiel 11:15 · KJV

Context

13

And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?

14

Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

15

Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession.

16

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

17

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God continues His message to the exiles: 'Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.' This promise revolutionizes temple theology. Though physically distant from Jerusalem's temple, God promises to be 'a little sanctuary' (miqdash me'at, מִקְדָּשׁ מְעַט) to the exiles.

The phrase 'little sanctuary' indicates God's presence isn't confined to the Jerusalem temple. He goes with His people in exile, making Himself accessible even in pagan Babylon. This foreshadows the New Testament truth that God's presence isn't limited to buildings but dwells among His people (Matthew 18:20, John 4:21-24, 1 Corinthians 3:16). The exiles, though distant from the physical temple, remained near to God Himself—a profound theological development.

From a Reformed perspective, this passage teaches that God's covenant faithfulness transcends circumstances. Exile doesn't mean abandonment. God's presence becomes portable, accompanying His people wherever His sovereignty places them. This anticipates the church age where believers themselves become God's temple, individually and corporately. True worship isn't location-dependent but Spirit-enabled, wherever believers gather in faith.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This promise had revolutionary implications for Jewish theology. The temple represented God's dwelling place (1 Kings 8:10-13, Psalm 132:13-14). How could God be present in unclean Babylon? Yet Ezekiel receives visions and prophetic word in Babylon (Ezekiel 1:1-3), Daniel experiences God's revelation there (Daniel 2, 7-12), and exiled Jews gather for prayer and instruction (Psalm 137, Ezekiel 8:1, 14:1).

This portable sanctuary concept enabled Judaism to survive without temple and land. After 70 AD when Rome destroyed the second temple, Jewish faith continued through synagogue worship and Torah study, building on principles established during Babylonian exile. For Christians, this points to Christ as ultimate temple (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's dwelling place (Ephesians 2:19-22), making God's presence universally accessible rather than geographically limited.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to be a 'little sanctuary' wherever you are transform understanding of His presence?
  2. What does portable sanctuary teach about worship's essence being relational rather than locational?
  3. In what ways does this passage comfort believers facing displacement, persecution, or distance from faith communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בֶּן1 of 23

“Son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָ֗ם2 of 23

“of man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

אַחֶ֙יךָ֙3 of 23

“even thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אַחֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 23

“even thy brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אַנְשֵׁ֣י5 of 23

“the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

גְאֻלָּתֶ֔ךָ6 of 23

“of thy kindred”

H1353

redemption (including the right and the object); by implication, relationship

וְכָל7 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בֵּ֥ית8 of 23

“and all the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל9 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כֻּלֹּ֑ה10 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר֩11 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָמְר֨וּ12 of 23

“have said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֜ם13 of 23
H0
יֹשְׁבֵ֣י14 of 23

“wholly are they unto whom the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם15 of 23

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

רַֽחֲקוּ֙16 of 23

“Get you far”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מֵעַ֣ל17 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 23

“from the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לָ֥נוּ19 of 23
H0
הִ֛יא20 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נִתְּנָ֥ה21 of 23

“given”

H5414

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ22 of 23

“unto us is this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְמוֹרָשָֽׁה׃23 of 23

“in possession”

H4181

a possession

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 11:15 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 11:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 33:24John 16:2Jeremiah 24:1-5Isaiah 65:5Isaiah 66:5

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezekiel 11 →

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