King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 37:21 Mean?

Ezekiel 37:21 in the King James Version says “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:”

Ezekiel 37:21 · KJV

Context

19

Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.

20

And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.

21

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

22

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

23

Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.

Read Ezekiel 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land." God promises comprehensive regathering from worldwide dispersion. The threefold action—take, gather, bring—emphasizes divine initiative and thoroughness. This prophecy has partial historical fulfillment (return from Babylon), ongoing fulfillment (conversion of Jews to Christ), and future fulfillment (debated between millennial and spiritual interpretations). The key is God's sovereignty: He gathers whom He wills, when He wills, accomplishing His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exile scattered Judah throughout Mesopotamia and beyond (587 BC). God promises reversal: comprehensive regathering surpassing the Babylonian return. The phrase "on every side" indicates universal scope. The modern return to Israel (1948) raises eschatological questions, though Reformed theology typically emphasizes spiritual fulfillment in Christ's gathering elect from all nations. The New Testament expands "Israel" to include believing Gentiles (Galatians 6:16), suggesting the promise finds ultimate expression in the church—God's people gathered from every nation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's promise to gather from all nations comfort believers in hostile environments?
  2. What is the relationship between ethnic Israel's restoration and the church as spiritual Israel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְדַבֵּ֣ר1 of 24

“And say”

H1696

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

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּֽה3 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

אָמַר֮4 of 24

“unto them Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י5 of 24

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִה֒6 of 24

“GOD”

H3069

god

הִנֵּ֨ה7 of 24
H2009

lo!

אֲנִ֤י8 of 24
H589

i

לֹקֵ֙חַ֙9 of 24

“Behold I will take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת10 of 24
H853

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

בְּנֵ֣י11 of 24

“the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל12 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

מִבֵּ֥ין13 of 24

“from among”

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם14 of 24

“the heathen”

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 24
H834

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

הָֽלְכוּ16 of 24

“whither they be gone”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֑ם17 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְקִבַּצְתִּ֤י18 of 24

“and will gather”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֹתָם֙19 of 24
H853

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

מִסָּבִ֔יב20 of 24

“them on every side”

H5439

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

וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י21 of 24

“and bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אוֹתָ֖ם22 of 24
H853

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

אֶל23 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַדְמָתָֽם׃24 of 24

“them into their own land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

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 37:21 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 37:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 36:24Jeremiah 23:8Jeremiah 32:37Amos 9:14-15Jeremiah 29:14Jeremiah 16:15

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 37 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 37 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes