King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 28:26 Mean?

Ezekiel 28:26 in the King James Version says “And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence,... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 28:26 · KJV


Context

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them—The recognition formula with possessive pronoun: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (YHWH ĕlōhêhem, 'the LORD their God'). Not just acknowledging God exists, but recognizing their covenant relationship restored.

Israel's suffering through exile and oppression by hostile neighbors created spiritual crisis: had God abandoned them? Restoration and judgment on enemies would prove God's covenant remained intact. And they shall know—experiential knowledge (יָדַע, yādaʿ) through historical fulfillment. God's faithfulness is demonstrated through both discipline (exile) and deliverance (restoration/enemies' judgment). This concluding verse of the oracles against nations (chapters 25-28) transitions to Egypt's judgment (chapters 29-32), after which Israel's full restoration is detailed (chapters 33-48).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exile raised profound theological questions addressed in Lamentations, Psalms 74, 79, 137, and prophetic books. Had God divorced Israel? Were the gods of Babylon stronger? Restoration and the fall of Israel's oppressors answered decisively: YHWH remained faithful, proving His unique deity. This shaped post-exilic Judaism's fierce monotheism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use both discipline and deliverance to reveal His character?
  2. What does recognizing God as 'the LORD their God' (possessive) imply about covenant relationship?
  3. How should believers respond to seasons when God seems absent or unfaithful?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ1 of 20

And they shall dwell

H3427

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

עָלֶיהָ֮2 of 20
H5921

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

לָבֶ֑טַח3 of 20

safely

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

וּבָנ֤וּ4 of 20

therein and shall build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בָתִּים֙5 of 20

houses

H1004

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

וְנָטְע֣וּ6 of 20

and plant

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

כְרָמִ֔ים7 of 20

vineyards

H3754

a garden or vineyard

וְיָשְׁב֖וּ8 of 20

And they shall dwell

H3427

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

לָבֶ֑טַח9 of 20

safely

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֣י10 of 20

when I have executed

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שְׁפָטִ֗ים11 of 20

judgments

H8201

a sentence, i.e., infliction

בְּכֹ֨ל12 of 20
H3605

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

הַשָּׁאטִ֤ים13 of 20

upon all those that despise

H7590

one contemning

אֹתָם֙14 of 20
H853

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

מִסְּבִ֣יבוֹתָ֔ם15 of 20

them round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ16 of 20

them and they shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֛י17 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י18 of 20
H589

i

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 20

that I am the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 28:26 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 28:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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