King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 6:9 Mean?

Ezekiel 6:9 in the King James Version says “And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am bro... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Ezekiel 6:9 · KJV


Context

7

And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

8

Yet will I leave a remnant, that ye may have some that shall escape the sword among the nations, when ye shall be scattered through the countries.

9

And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

10

And they shall know that I am the LORD, and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.

11

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises concerning the remnant: 'And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.' The phrase 'I am broken' (nishbarti, נִשְׁבַּרְתִּי) remarkably attributes grief to God—His people's idolatry breaks His heart. The 'whorish heart' (leb zonam, לֵב זוֹנָם) depicts spiritual adultery against covenant relationship. Yet this judgment produces repentance: 'they shall lothe themselves' (niqotu, נָקֹטּוּ), indicating genuine remorse. True repentance involves both remembering God and recognizing one's own sinfulness. This shows judgment's redemptive purpose—to bring people to repentance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The exile would scatter Israelites 'among the nations,' forcing them to face the consequences of choosing foreign gods. Ironically, deportation to pagan lands would reveal those gods' emptiness, producing renewed hunger for the true God. Historical evidence shows that exile did indeed produce spiritual renewal—the post-exilic community largely abandoned idolatry. The experience of losing land, temple, and national independence under God's judgment produced the self-loathing and repentance God predicted. This demonstrates that even severe discipline serves redemptive purposes when received rightly.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that your sin grieves and breaks God's heart affect your view of repentance?
  2. In what ways has God used painful consequences to produce genuine self-awareness and repentance in your life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְזָכְר֨וּ1 of 28

of you shall remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

פְלִֽיטֵיכֶ֜ם2 of 28

And they that escape

H6412

a refugee

אוֹתִ֗י3 of 28
H853

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

בַּגּוֹיִם֮4 of 28

me among the nations

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 28
H834

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

נִשְׁבּוּ6 of 28

whither they shall be carried captives

H7617

to transport into captivity

שָׁם֒7 of 28
H8033

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 28
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֜רְתִּי9 of 28

because I am broken

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

אֶת10 of 28
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

לִבָּ֣ם11 of 28

heart

H3820

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

הַזֹּנ֕וֹת12 of 28

which go a whoring

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אֲשֶׁר13 of 28
H834

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

סָר֙14 of 28

which hath departed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽעָלַ֔י15 of 28
H5921

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

וְאֵת֙16 of 28
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֵֽינֵיהֶ֔ם17 of 28

from me and with their eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַזֹּנ֕וֹת18 of 28

which go a whoring

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אַחֲרֵ֖י19 of 28

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

גִּלּֽוּלֵיהֶ֑ם20 of 28

their idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

וְנָקֹ֙טּוּ֙21 of 28

and they shall lothe

H6962

properly, to cut off, i.e., (figuratively) detest

בִּפְנֵיהֶ֔ם22 of 28

themselves

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶל23 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽרָעוֹת֙24 of 28

for the evils

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר25 of 28
H834

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

עָשׂ֔וּ26 of 28

which they have committed

H6213

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

לְכֹ֖ל27 of 28
H3605

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

תּוֹעֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃28 of 28

in all their abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol


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 6:9 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 6:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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