King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 36:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 36:5 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, a... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 36:5 · KJV


Context

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:

7

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I have lifted up mine hand, Surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame.


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 · 30 words
לָכֵ֗ן1 of 30
H3651

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

כֹּֽה2 of 30
H3541

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

אָמַר֮3 of 30

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 30

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִה֒5 of 30
H3068

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

אִם6 of 30
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֠א7 of 30
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בְּאֵ֨שׁ8 of 30

Surely in the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

קִנְאָתִ֥י9 of 30

of my jealousy

H7068

jealousy or envy

דִבַּ֛רְתִּי10 of 30

have I spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עַל11 of 30
H5921

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

שְׁאֵרִ֥ית12 of 30

against the residue

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם13 of 30

of the heathen

H1471

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

וְעַל14 of 30
H5921

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

אֱד֣וֹם15 of 30

and against all Idumea

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

כֻּלָּ֑א16 of 30
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 30
H834

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

נָתְנֽוּ18 of 30

which have appointed

H5414

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

אֶת19 of 30
H853

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

אַרְצִ֣י׀20 of 30

my land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לָ֠הֶם21 of 30
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לְמ֨וֹרָשָׁ֜ה22 of 30

into their possession

H4181

a possession

בְּשִׂמְחַ֤ת23 of 30

with the joy

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

כָּל24 of 30
H3605

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

לֵבָב֙25 of 30

of all their heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

בִּשְׁאָ֣ט26 of 30

with despiteful

H7589

contempt

נֶ֔פֶשׁ27 of 30

minds

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְמַ֥עַן28 of 30
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

מִגְרָשָׁ֖הּ29 of 30

to cast it out

H4054

a suburb (i.e., open country whither flocks are driven from pasture); hence, the area around a building, or the margin of the sea

לָבַֽז׃30 of 30

for a prey

H957

plunder


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 36:5 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 36:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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