King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:34 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:34 in the King James Version says “And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a migh... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

Ezekiel 20:34 · KJV


Context

32

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

33

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

34

And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

35

And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.

36

Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.' Despite judgment, God promises restoration. The same divine power ('mighty hand...stretched out arm') that brought exodus from Egypt and exile to Babylon will bring restoration. God's fury accomplishes both judgment and deliverance. This anticipates the return from exile under Cyrus (538 BC) and ultimate restoration through Messiah.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian exile lasted 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). Cyrus's decree (538 BC) allowed return (Ezra 1). While physically restored, full spiritual restoration awaited the New Covenant. Verse 34 looks beyond historical return to eschatological restoration when God gathers His people from all nations through the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we see both historical and eschatological fulfillment in restoration prophecies?
  2. What hope does God's promise to gather scattered people offer to the church today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהוֹצֵאתִ֤י1 of 17

And I will bring you out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶתְכֶם֙2 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִן3 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים4 of 17

from the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְקִבַּצְתִּ֣י5 of 17

and will gather

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶתְכֶ֔ם6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִן7 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת8 of 17

you out of the countries

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 17
H834

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

נְפוֹצֹתֶ֖ם10 of 17

wherein ye are scattered

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

בָּ֑ם11 of 17
H0
בְּיָ֤ד12 of 17

hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

חֲזָקָה֙13 of 17

with a mighty

H2389

strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)

וּבִזְר֣וֹעַ14 of 17

arm

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

נְטוּיָ֔ה15 of 17

and with a stretched out

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

וּבְחֵמָ֖ה16 of 17

and with fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

שְׁפוּכָֽה׃17 of 17

poured out

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc


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 20:34 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 20:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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