King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:25 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:25 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, a...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.”

Ezekiel 28:25 · KJV

Context

23

For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

24

And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

25

Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.

26

And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God. safely: or, with confidence despise: or, spoil

Read Ezekiel 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards—The restoration includes בֶּטַח (beṭaḥ, 'security/safety'), construction (וּבָנוּ בָתִּים, ûbānû bāttîm, 'and build houses'), and agriculture (וְנָטְעוּ כְרָמִים, wĕnāṭĕʿû khĕrāmîm, 'and plant vineyards'). These images depict covenant blessing reversal: Deuteronomy 28:30 cursed disobedience with building but not dwelling, planting but not eating; here, obedience brings fulfillment.

Yea, they shall dwell with confidence—Repetition of בֶּטַח (beṭaḥ) emphasizes security. When I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them—Israel's safety depends on God judging hostile neighbors, which He promises to do. This verse connects chapters 25-28 (oracles against nations) with Israel's restoration: their enemies' judgment enables Israel's peace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After the return from exile (538 BC), Jews did rebuild houses and plant vineyards, though under Persian, Greek, and Roman rule. True 'dwelling safely' remained elusive until the Messianic age. The prophetic vision points beyond immediate return to ultimate restoration when Messiah reigns and Israel dwells securely (Ezekiel 34:25-28, 37:26-28).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of 'building houses and planting vineyards' represent covenant restoration?
  2. What is the connection between judging Israel's enemies and her security?
  3. How do Old Testament restoration promises point to ultimate fulfillment in Christ's kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כֹּֽה1 of 24
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַר֮2 of 24

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 24

“the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִה֒4 of 24
H3068

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

בְּקַבְּצִ֣י׀5 of 24

“When I shall have gathered”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶת6 of 24
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית7 of 24

“the house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל8 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

מִן9 of 24
H4480

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

הָֽעַמִּים֙10 of 24

“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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 24
H834

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

נָפֹ֣צוּ12 of 24

“among whom they are scattered”

H6327

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

בָ֔ם13 of 24
H0
וְנִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי14 of 24

“and shall be sanctified”

H6942

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

בָ֖ם15 of 24
H0
לְעֵינֵ֣י16 of 24

“in them in the sight”

H5869

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

הַגּוֹיִ֑ם17 of 24

“of the heathen”

H1471

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

וְיָֽשְׁבוּ֙18 of 24

“then shall they dwell”

H3427

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

עַל19 of 24
H5921

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

אַדְמָתָ֔ם20 of 24

“in their land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֖תִּי22 of 24

“that I have given”

H5414

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

לְעַבְדִּ֥י23 of 24

“to my servant”

H5650

a servant

לְיַעֲקֹֽב׃24 of 24

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

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 28:25 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 28:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:37Ezekiel 20:41Ezekiel 11:17Ezekiel 36:28Ezekiel 37:25Psalms 106:47

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