King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:41 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:41 in the King James Version says “I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wher... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. sweet: Heb. savour of rest

Ezekiel 20:41 · KJV


Context

39

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

40

For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. firstfruits: or, chief

41

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. sweet: Heb. savour of rest

42

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

43

And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.' God promises acceptance when He restores them. 'Sweet savour' recalls Noah's sacrifice (Genesis 8:21) and Levitical offerings—pleasing to God. 'I will be sanctified in you before the heathen' means God's holiness will be vindicated through their restoration. As His name was profaned among nations by exile (Ezekiel 36:20-21), it will be sanctified through restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's exile made surrounding nations question Yahweh's power ('their God couldn't protect them'). Restoration demonstrated God's sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. Ultimately, Christ's redemption of people from all nations sanctifies God's name globally, demonstrating His power to save.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does our transformation and restoration sanctify God's name before unbelievers?
  2. What does God's concern for His reputation among nations teach about the missionary nature of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
בְּרֵ֣יחַ1 of 19

savour

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיחֹחַ֮2 of 19

you with your sweet

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

אֶרְצֶ֣ה3 of 19

I will accept

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

אֶתְכֶם֒4 of 19
H853

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

בְּהוֹצִיאִ֤י5 of 19

when I bring you out

H3318

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

אֶתְכֶם֙6 of 19
H853

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

מִן7 of 19
H4480

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

הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים8 of 19

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

וְקִבַּצְתִּ֣י9 of 19

and gather

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶתְכֶ֔ם10 of 19
H853

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

מִן11 of 19
H4480

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

הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת12 of 19

you out of the countries

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 19
H834

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

נְפֹצֹתֶ֖ם14 of 19

wherein ye have been scattered

H6327

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

בָּ֑ם15 of 19
H0
וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֥י16 of 19

and I will be sanctified

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

בָכֶ֖ם17 of 19
H0
לְעֵינֵ֥י18 of 19

in you before

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַגּוֹיִֽם׃19 of 19

the heathen

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts


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 20:41 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 20:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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