King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 36:26 Mean?

Ezekiel 36:26 in the King James Version says “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of yo...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

24

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

25

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

28

And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Read Ezekiel 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
One of the Old Testament's clearest promises of new covenant regeneration: 'A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.' The 'new heart' (leb chadash, לֵב חָדָשׁ) represents transformed affections, desires, and will. The 'new spirit' (ruach chadashah, רוּחַ חֲדָשָׁה) connects to verse 27's gift of God's Spirit, enabling obedience. The contrast between 'stony heart' (leb ha-eben, לֵב הָאֶבֶן) and 'heart of flesh' (leb basar, לֵב בָּשָׂר) depicts transformation from dead, unresponsive hardness to living, responsive sensitivity. God performs this heart transplant—it's not human self-improvement but divine re-creation. This promise finds New Testament fulfillment in regeneration (John 3:3-8, Titus 3:5), the Spirit's indwelling (Romans 8:9-11), and new covenant realities (2 Corinthians 3:3-6, Hebrews 8:10-12).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This promise addressed Israel's fundamental problem: not merely external captivity but internal corruption—hearts unwilling and unable to obey God's law. The law had shown what God required but couldn't produce obedience (Romans 8:3). Ezekiel's earlier prophecy (11:19) introduced this theme; here it's fully developed. The promise comes after cataloging Israel's persistent rebellion (36:16-21), showing grace triumphs where law failed. God promises to do what commands could not accomplish—transform hearts from within. This anticipated Jeremiah's new covenant prophecy (31:31-34) of God's law written on hearts. Historical return from exile in 538 BC partially fulfilled this, but complete fulfillment awaited Pentecost (Acts 2) and Christian conversion through the Spirit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you experienced God's transforming work replacing your stony, resistant heart with a responsive, living heart?
  2. What does it mean that regeneration is God's work ('I will give') rather than human achievement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְנָתַתִּ֥י1 of 17

“also will I give”

H5414

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

לָכֶם֙2 of 17
H0
לֵ֥ב3 of 17

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

חֲדָשָׁ֖ה4 of 17

“A new”

H2319

new

וְר֥וּחַ5 of 17

“spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

חֲדָשָׁ֖ה6 of 17

“A new”

H2319

new

וְנָתַתִּ֥י7 of 17

“also will I give”

H5414

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

בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֑ם8 of 17

“within”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וַהֲסִ֨רֹתִ֜י9 of 17

“you and I will take away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 17
H853

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

לֵ֥ב11 of 17

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

הָאֶ֙בֶן֙12 of 17

“the stony”

H68

a stone

בָּשָֽׂר׃13 of 17

“of flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

וְנָתַתִּ֥י14 of 17

“also will I give”

H5414

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

לָכֶ֖ם15 of 17
H0
לֵ֥ב16 of 17

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

בָּשָֽׂר׃17 of 17

“of flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

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 36:26 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 36:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 11:19-20Psalms 51:102 Corinthians 5:17John 3:3-5Deuteronomy 30:62 Corinthians 3:3

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Ezekiel 36 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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