King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:6 in the King James Version says “In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:”

Ezekiel 20:6 · KJV

Context

4

Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers: Wilt: or, Wilt thou plead for them

5

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; lifted: or, sware

6

In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

8

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Read Ezekiel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.' God's promise: deliverance from Egypt to the promised land. 'Land that I had espied' (tur) means 'scouted' or 'selected'—God's sovereign choice. 'Flowing with milk and honey' describes agricultural abundance. 'Glory of all lands' indicates supreme blessing. God's initiative, God's provision, God's gift.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21) was renewed to Moses (Exodus 3:8, 17). Canaan's fertility is confirmed by archaeological and historical records. The phrase 'milk and honey' became proverbial for God's abundant provision.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise of abundant provision affect our view of His goodness?
  2. What is the relationship between promised blessings and covenant obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 20

“In the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא2 of 20
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

נָשָׂ֤אתִי3 of 20

“that I lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

יָדִי֙4 of 20

“mine 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

לָהֶ֔ם5 of 20
H0
לְהֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם6 of 20

“unto them to bring them forth”

H3318

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

הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃7 of 20

“into a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם8 of 20

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אֶל9 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃10 of 20

“into a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 20
H834

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

תַּ֣רְתִּי12 of 20

“that I had espied”

H8446

to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring

לָהֶ֗ם13 of 20
H0
זָבַ֤ת14 of 20

“for them flowing”

H2100

to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow

חָלָב֙15 of 20

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וּדְבַ֔שׁ16 of 20

“and honey”

H1706

honey (from its stickiness); by analogy, syrup

צְבִ֥י17 of 20

“which is the glory”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

הִ֖יא18 of 20
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

לְכָל19 of 20
H3605

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

הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃20 of 20

“into a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 20:6 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 20:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:22Exodus 3:8Ezekiel 20:15Psalms 48:2Zechariah 7:14Daniel 8:9

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 20 →

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