King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 36:4 Mean?

Ezekiel 36:4 in the King James Version says “Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the h...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about; rivers: or, bottoms, or, dales”

Ezekiel 36:4 · KJV

Context

2

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:

3

Therefore prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people: Because: Heb. Because for because are: or, ye are made to come up on the lip of the tongue

4

Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about; rivers: or, bottoms, or, dales

5

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.

6

Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:

Read Ezekiel 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse points toward God's gracious purposes of restoration despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. The Reformed emphasis on sovereign grace shines through—restoration doesn't depend on Israel's merit or ability but on God's covenant faithfulness and irrevocable purposes (Romans 11:29). This anticipates new covenant promises where God gives a new heart and His Spirit to enable obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27). The pattern of judgment followed by grace-based restoration prefigures the gospel: humanity deserves condemnation but receives mercy through Christ's atoning work. God's restoration demonstrates His glory by showing grace triumphs over judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 586-571 BCE) after Jerusalem's destruction. The exiled community grappled with theological and practical questions: Why had judgment come? Would restoration occur? How should they live in exile? The historical context of ancient Near Eastern covenant patterns, conquest and exile practices, and prophetic literature provides essential background. Archaeological discoveries from this period illuminate the exile's realities and the return's historical fulfillment. Yet Ezekiel's prophecies extend beyond immediate historical context to find fuller realization in Christ and the church, with ultimate consummation in the new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen your understanding of God's character, purposes, or ways of working in history?
  2. What specific application does this passage call you to make in your current circumstances or spiritual life?
  3. How does this Old Testament passage illuminate New Testament teaching about Christ, salvation, or the church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
לָכֵן֙1 of 27
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

לֶהָרִ֨ים2 of 27

“Therefore ye mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל3 of 27

“of Israel”

H3478

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

שִׁמְע֖וּ4 of 27

“hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דְּבַר5 of 27

“the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲדֹנָ֣י6 of 27

“of the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֑ה7 of 27
H3068

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

כֹּֽה8 of 27
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר9 of 27

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י10 of 27

“of the Lord”

H136

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

יְ֠הוִה11 of 27
H3068

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

לֶהָרִ֨ים12 of 27

“Therefore ye mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְלַגְּבָע֜וֹת13 of 27

“and to the hills”

H1389

a hillock

לָאֲפִיקִ֣ים14 of 27

“to the rivers”

H650

properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero

וְלַגֵּאָי֗וֹת15 of 27

“and to the valleys”

H1516

a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent)

וְלֶחֳרָב֤וֹת16 of 27

“wastes”

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

הַשֹּֽׁמְמוֹת֙17 of 27

“to the desolate”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

וְלֶעָרִ֣ים18 of 27

“and to the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַנֶּעֱזָב֔וֹת19 of 27

“that are forsaken”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֲשֶׁ֨ר20 of 27
H834

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

הָי֤וּ21 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְבַז֙22 of 27

“which became a prey”

H957

plunder

וּלְלַ֔עַג23 of 27

“and derision”

H3933

derision, scoffing

לִשְׁאֵרִ֥ית24 of 27

“to the residue”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם25 of 27

“of the heathen”

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר26 of 27
H834

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

מִסָּבִֽיב׃27 of 27

“that are round about”

H5439

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

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 36:4 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 36:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11:11Ezekiel 34:28Ezekiel 36:6Psalms 79:4Ezekiel 36:1Ezekiel 6:14

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