Punishment for Profane Worship and Promise of Restoration
Ezekiel 20:30-44
Eze.20.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הבדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נטמאים: VERB,nip,ptc,3,m,pl
- ואחרי: CONJ
- שקוציהם: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3mp
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- זנים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:16 (verbal): Within the same speech the prophet earlier condemns following the 'manner of your fathers' and 'playing the harlot' with idols—very close verbal and thematic echo.
- Ezekiel 16:15-16 (thematic): Israel is depicted as a harlot who prostituted herself to foreign nations and idols; shares the prostitute/abomination imagery and accusation of unfaithfulness.
- Ezekiel 23:30 (verbal): Uses the same harlotry language to describe Israel and Judah’s pursuit of foreign lovers and idolatrous practices—parallel vocabulary and imagery.
- Deuteronomy 12:29-31 (allusion): Warns Israel not to be enticed to adopt the abominations of the nations around them—background legal/ethical source for the prophetic rebuke against copying ancestral/foreign practices.
- Leviticus 18:3 (thematic): Forbids doing as the Egyptians and Canaanites did; provides the covenantal/legal rationale underlying prophetic condemnations of imitating the defiling ways of forebears.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Lord GOD: In the ways of your fathers you are defiled, and after their abominations you prostitute yourselves.
- Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the LORD: In the way of your fathers you have defiled yourselves, and after their abominations you have prostituted yourselves.
Eze.20.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובשאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מתנתיכם: NOUN,f,sg,cons,2,mp
- בהעביר: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- בניכם: NOUN,m,pl,const+2mp
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נטמאים: VERB,nip,ptc,3,m,pl
- לכל: PREP
- גלוליכם: NOUN,m,pl,cons,2mp
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אדרש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- אדרש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:21 (verbal): Explicit prohibition against 'sending' children through the fire to Molech (not to let your children pass through the fire), using the same idea and language condemned in Ezekiel 20:31.
- Leviticus 20:2-5 (verbal): Law prescribing judgment on those who make their children pass through fire; parallels Ezekiel's charge that such rites defile the people and invoke divine retribution.
- Jeremiah 32:35 (allusion): Denounces the practice of passing children through fire in high places and states God did not command it—closely parallels Ezekiel's condemnation and God's promise to require an account.
- 2 Kings 21:6 (thematic): Reports King Manasseh's practice of 'passing his son through the fire' as part of idolatrous rites; provides a historical example of the behavior Ezekiel rebukes.
- Psalm 106:37-38 (thematic): Speaks of sacrificing sons and daughters to demons and shedding innocent blood—thematically linked to child sacrifice, idolatrous defilement, and resulting divine judgment in Ezekiel 20:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- When you offer your gifts and pass your children through the fire, you defile yourselves by all your idols to this day. And I will bring you to account, O house of Israel—As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will surely bring you to account.
- When you offer your gifts and pass your children through the fire, you have defiled yourselves with all your idols to this day; yet I will bring you to account, house of Israel. As I live—declares the LORD—I will surely bring you to account.
Eze.20.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעלה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- רוחכם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+suffix,2,m,pl
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נהיה: VERB,niphal,impf,1,pl
- כגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כמשפחות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- לשרת: VERB,qal,inf
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 4:19 (verbal): Warning against being ensnared by heavenly/created objects and bowing down to them — language parallels Ezekiel’s rebuke about becoming like the nations and serving wood and stone.
- Isaiah 44:9-20 (thematic): Satiric critique of idol-makers and idol-worshippers who fashion gods from wood and then serve them, closely echoing the image of serving wood and stone.
- Jeremiah 2:11-13 (thematic): Condemns Israel for exchanging the true God for worthless idols and broken substitutes (forsaking the 'fountain of living waters'), thematically matching the charge of becoming like the nations to serve idols.
- Ezekiel 20:7-8 (structural): Immediate chapter parallel where God recounts Israel’s repeated defilement by idols and explicit commands not to profane themselves — the same episode and reproach continued in v.32.
- Romans 1:22-23 (allusion): Paul’s indictment that people exchanged God’s glory for images made like corruptible creatures echoes the New Testament reflection on the same phenomenon of idolatrous exchange described in Ezekiel 20:32.
Alternative generated candidates
- Has it not come into your mind—are you not saying, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the clans of the countries, to serve wood and stone’?
- Have you taken it into your mind—what you are saying, ‘We will be like the nations, like the families of the lands, to serve wood and stone’?
Eze.20.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חזקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובזרוע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובחמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שפוכה: ADJ,f,sg
- אמלוך: VERB,qal,impr,1,sg
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
Parallels
- Exodus 6:6 (verbal): Uses the same formula of 'with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm'—the hand/arm motif of divine power, here applied to God's decisive action toward Israel (deliverance/judgment).
- Deuteronomy 4:34 (verbal): Lists 'signs and wonders... by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm'—the same traditional language for Yahweh's powerful intervention on behalf of Israel.
- Ezekiel 20:37 (structural): Immediate context within Ezekiel 20:33–38; 20:37 continues the theme of God's disciplining/purifying action ('make you pass under the rod'), linking the proclamation of sovereign rule to purification.
- Ezekiel 36:22–23 (thematic): Both passages portray God acting decisively to vindicate his name and to restore/purify Israel—emphasizing authoritative divine intervention and sanctification of God's reputation.
- Isaiah 63:12 (allusion): Echoes the 'arm' imagery ('his glorious arm' that led Israel) — the motif of God's outstretched arm as the instrument of salvation/judgment parallels Ezekiel's use of arm/hand language.
Alternative generated candidates
- As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will act with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm and with poured-out wrath to rule over you.
- As I live—declares the LORD—surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will be king over you.
Eze.20.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוצאתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,NA,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וקבצתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נפוצתם: VERB,nif,perf,2,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חזקה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובזרוע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נטויה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ובחמה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שפוכה: ADJ,ptcp,pass,f,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 6:6 (verbal): God promises deliverance 'I will bring you out... with an outstretched arm'—language closely echoes Ezekiel's 'hand... outstretched arm' motif.
- Deuteronomy 30:3 (thematic): The LORD will restore and 'gather you from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you'—theme of regathering the scattered exiles.
- Ezekiel 36:24 (verbal): ‘I will take you from the nations and gather you from all countries’—near-identical Ezekiel promise of gathering Israel from dispersion.
- Ezekiel 37:21 (thematic): God declares He will 'take the children of Israel from among the nations... and bring them into their own land'—same restoration/gathering theme within Ezekiel.
- Isaiah 11:12 (thematic): The Messianic figure 'will gather the dispersed of Judah'—parallel motif of gathering the scattered people from the ends of the earth.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will bring you out from among the peoples and gather you from the lands where you have been scattered—by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by poured-out wrath.
- I will bring you out from among the peoples and gather you from the lands where you have been scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out.
Eze.20.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והבאתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ונשפטתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,-,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Hosea 2:14-15 (thematic): God says he will bring Israel into the wilderness to 'allure' or address her there—bringing the people into a desert setting for direct confrontation, discipline, and renewed relationship, echoing Ezekiel's motif of a wilderness encounter.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (thematic): Moses describes Yahweh leading Israel into the wilderness to humble and test them and to know what was in their heart—paralleling the idea of being brought into the desert for judgment and examination.
- Numbers 14:33 (structural): As punishment for Israel's unbelief the LORD decrees that they and their children shall wander in the wilderness for forty years—a punitive wilderness experience that corresponds to Ezekiel's use of the desert as the setting of divine judgment.
- Ezekiel 20:33 (verbal): Immediately preceding verses develop the same theme and language: God declares he will act with a mighty hand to bring the people out and deal with them—this verse is part of the same narrative unit and repeats the wilderness/judgment motif.
- Exodus 33:11 (verbal): The phrase 'face to face' is used of divine-human encounter in Exodus (Moses speaking with the LORD 'face to face'); while context differs (intimacy vs. judgment), the shared idiom highlights direct, personal confrontation with God in Ezekiel 20:35.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
- And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
Eze.20.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כאשר: CONJ
- נשפטתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,-,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כן: ADV
- אשפט: VERB,qal,impf,1,na,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 14:33-35 (allusion): Describes the divine judgment on the wilderness generation—forty years of wandering and death in the desert—which Ezekiel echoes when he says he judged the fathers in the wilderness.
- Deuteronomy 1:34-37 (allusion): Recounts God's anger with the Israelites in the wilderness and his refusal to let that generation enter the land, a narrative background for Ezekiel's claim that he judged their fathers.
- Deuteronomy 9:7-8 (thematic): Moses reminds Israel how they provoked the LORD in the wilderness and incurred his wrath—the same theme of ancestral sin and divine punishment appealed to by Ezekiel.
- Psalm 95:10-11 (thematic): Speaks of God’s displeasure with the rebellious generation and the oath that they would not enter his rest—paralleling Ezekiel’s warning that God judged their fathers and will judge the present generation.
- Ezekiel 20:5-6 (structural): Immediate context recounting God’s past dealings with the elders brought out of Egypt; these verses set up the contrast and continuity announced in 20:36 that the same judgment will be applied now.
Alternative generated candidates
- As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Lord GOD.
- As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you—declares the LORD.
Eze.20.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעברתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- השבט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והבאתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- במסרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 29:12-13 (verbal): Speaks of entering/being brought into the covenant with YHWH so that Israel might be his people—language parallels Ezekiel’s 'bring you into the bond of the covenant.'
- Exodus 24:8 (allusion): Moses declares 'behold the blood of the covenant' after ratifying the covenant—an apparent ritual/covenantal background to Ezekiel’s reference to bringing Israel into the covenant bond.
- Ezekiel 36:25-28 (thematic): Promises of cleansing, a new heart, and God’s dwelling among Israel describe restoration of the covenant relationship, echoing Ezekiel 20:37’s aim to bring Israel back 'into the bond of the covenant.'
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (thematic): The prophesied 'new covenant' with the house of Israel emphasizes God’s renewed, binding relationship with the people, paralleling Ezekiel’s theme of covenant restoration and re‑entry into covenantal obligations.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will pass you under the rod and bring you into the bond of the covenant.
- I will bring you under the rod and put you into the bond of the covenant.
Eze.20.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וברותי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- מכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- המרדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והפושעים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מגוריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- אוציא: VERB,hiph,impf,1,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- אדמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 14:22-23 (thematic): God declares that the rebellious generation will not enter the Promised Land—those who 'tested' or 'rebelled' against Yahweh are excluded from entry into the land, closely paralleling the refusal to allow rebels to enter Israel.
- Leviticus 26:33-35 (thematic): Warning that Yahweh will scatter Israel among the nations and make the land desolate because of disobedience—the motif of removal from the land as punishment echoes Ezek. 20:38's expulsion of transgressors.
- Deuteronomy 28:63-64 (thematic): As part of covenant curses, the LORD will bring ruin and 'scatter' Israel among the nations so they will serve foreign gods—parallels the punitive removal and the recognition of Yahweh's sovereignty in Ezekiel's threat.
- Ezekiel 20:37 (structural): Immediate context: God says he will 'bring you under the rod' and 'gather you,' introducing the purging and removal language that culminates in v.38—connects directly to the same action and intention.
- Ezekiel 20:39 (verbal): Close verbal/terminological parallel: v.39 continues the promise that the people 'shall know that I am the LORD,' repeating the concluding formula found in v.38 and underscoring its theological purpose.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against me; I will bring them out of the land of their sojournings, and they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.
- I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who transgress against me; I will bring them out of the land of their dwellings, yet they shall not enter the land of Israel; then you shall know that I am the LORD.
Eze.20.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גלוליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,ms
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ואחר: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- אינכם: VERB,qal,pres,2,m,pl
- שמעים: VERB,qal,part,?,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- שם: ADV
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחללו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- במתנותיכם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- ובגלוליכם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:25-26 (verbal): Commands destruction of carved images and warns not to bring an abominable thing into your house — language and concern parallel Ezekiel’s call to put away idols and not profane God’s name.
- Exodus 20:4-5 (quotation): The Decalogue’s prohibition of making/serving idols and God’s jealous response underlies Ezekiel’s demand that Israel cease idolatrous gifts that profane the LORD’s name.
- Ezekiel 36:20-23 (verbal): Earlier/later Ezekiel passages explicitly state that Israel’s idolatry profaned God’s holy name among the nations and promise cleansing — the same motif and terminology (profaning/sanctifying the name).
- Jeremiah 7:9-11 (allusion): Jeremiah confronts people who commit abominations yet bring offerings to God, calling the temple a den of robbers — parallels Ezekiel’s rebuke of profaning the holy name with gifts and idols.
- Deuteronomy 12:29-31 (thematic): Warning not to adopt the abominable practices of the nations or set up their gods (which would profane worship of YHWH) echoes Ezekiel’s injunction to remove detestable things and cease profaning God’s name.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you, O house of Israel—thus says the Lord GOD—each of you, put away your idols and turn from your abominations. If you will not listen to me and will not cease profaning my holy name with your gifts and your idols,
- As for you, house of Israel—thus says the LORD—each one put away his idols; do not profane my holy name any more with your gifts and with your idols.
Eze.20.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מרום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- יעבדני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,obj1s
- כל: DET
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כלה: ADV
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- שם: ADV
- ארצם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדרוש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- תרומתיכם: NOUN,f,sg,suff2mp
- ואת: CONJ
- ראשית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- משאותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,suff2mp
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשיכם: NOUN,m,pl,suff2mp
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:11 (verbal): Speaks of bringing offerings to 'the place that the LORD will choose' — parallels Ezek. 20:40's requirement that Israel present offerings on God's holy mountain.
- Deuteronomy 26:1-11 (thematic): Gives the law for bringing firstfruits to the chosen place and presenting them before the LORD — directly parallels 'ראשית משאותיכם' (your firstfruits) and the cultic practice promised in Ezekiel 20:40.
- Isaiah 66:20-23 (thematic): Foretells peoples/Israel coming to the LORD and bringing offerings to God's house/holy mountain and universal worship from month to month — thematically parallels Israel serving God on his holy mountain and bringing offerings.
- Zechariah 14:16 (thematic): Declares that survivors of the nations will go up year by year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts — echoes the motif of coming to God's mountain to serve and offer worship.
- Ezekiel 20:41 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same prophecy: God says he will accept Israel with sweet savor and require their offerings — a direct continuation/reiteration of the promise in 20:40.
Alternative generated candidates
- then on my holy mountain, on the high mountain of Israel, says the Lord GOD, there all the house of Israel shall serve me. There their land shall be their inheritance, and there I will accept your offerings and the firstfruits of your choicest things in all your sacred dues.
- For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel—declares the LORD—there all the house of Israel shall serve me; there, in the land, shall be their land, and there I will accept your offerings and the firstfruits of your gifts in every consecrated thing.
Eze.20.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בריח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ניחח: ADJ,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- בהוציאי: VERB,hiph,ptcp,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וקבצתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נפצתם: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ונקדשתי: VERB,niphal,impf,1,m,sg
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:34 (verbal): Close verbal and structural parallel within the same unit: both verses promise to bring Israel out from the nations and gather them from the countries where they were scattered, forming part of the chapter’s restoration motif.
- Ezekiel 36:23-24 (thematic): Echoes the dual promise to gather Israel from the nations (v.24) and to sanctify God’s name among the nations (v.23); both passages link return from exile with God’s being sanctified in the sight of the nations.
- Ezekiel 37:21-22 (thematic): Reiterates the promise to take Israel from among the nations and bring them into their land, uniting them as one people—same gathering/restoration theme as Ezek 20:41.
- Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (verbal): Uses similar language of God restoring and gathering the people from all the nations to their ancestral land, showing continuity with earlier covenantal promises of return from dispersion.
- Ezekiel 39:27-28 (allusion): Promises God will bring Israel back from the peoples and that they will know God is the LORD—connecting the return from the nations with recognition of God and his presence (parallels the sanctification-in-sight-of-the-nations motif).
Alternative generated candidates
- I will bring you into the land and present you there as a pleasing aroma, when I bring you out from among the peoples and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the nations.
- I will accept you as a pleasing aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you have been scattered, and I will be sanctified in your midst before the nations.
Eze.20.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בהביאי: PREP+VERB,hif,impf,1,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- אדמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- לאבותיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss,2,m
Parallels
- Exodus 6:8 (verbal): God promises to bring Israel into the promised land and links that promise to the oath sworn to the patriarchs—language and covenantal oath mirror Ezek. 20:42.
- Deuteronomy 1:8 (verbal): Command to enter and possess 'the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers' echoes Ezekiel's emphasis on bringing the people into the land promised to their ancestors.
- Jeremiah 30:3 (thematic): A prophetic promise to restore Israel and 'bring them again to the land that I gave to their fathers,' paralleling Ezekiel's theme of return and fulfillment of the ancestral grant.
- Leviticus 26:42 (allusion): God's declaration that He will remember His covenant with the patriarchs and the land resonates with Ezekiel's assurance that the land will be given as pledged to the fathers.
- Psalm 105:8–11 (thematic): The psalm recounts God's oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give the land to their descendants, reflecting the same covenantal promise invoked in Ezek. 20:42.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the land that I lifted up my hand to give to your fathers.
- And you shall know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the land which I lifted up my hand to give to your fathers.
Eze.20.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזכרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- דרכיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+suff2mp
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- עלילותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2mp
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נטמאתם: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ונקטתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- בפניכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons,2,m,pl
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רעותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,def,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:31 (verbal): Almost identical language about remembering one’s evil ways and loathing oneself for the iniquities and abominations committed.
- Ezekiel 16:63 (verbal): Speaks of remembering, being ashamed, and not opening one’s mouth—closely parallels the motif of recollection and shame for past sins.
- Leviticus 26:40 (structural): Frames confession/acknowledgment of iniquity and the ensuing divine response—similar covenantal pattern of sin, remembrance, and consequence.
- Psalm 51:3–4 (thematic): David’s explicit admission and remembrance of his transgressions and the recognition of guilt mirrors the theme of remembering and lamenting one’s sins.
- Isaiah 6:5 (thematic): The prophet’s reaction—awareness of impurity and an anguished self-declaration—parallels the motif of recognizing moral defilement and experiencing shame.
Alternative generated candidates
- There you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you were defiled, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil that you have done.
- There you shall remember your ways and all your deeds by which you were defiled, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evil that you have committed.
Eze.20.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעשותי: PREP+INF,qal,infc,1,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- למען: PREP
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- לא: PART_NEG
- כדרכיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- הרעים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- וכעלילותיכם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+2,m,pl
- הנשחתות: ADJ,f,pl,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:12 (verbal): Same chapter’s recurring formula: God acts to sanctify his name and uses the phrase that they might/you might know that I am the LORD (linking divine purpose to Israel’s recognition).
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (thematic): God declares he will act ‘for my holy name’s sake’ to vindicate his reputation and that the nations will know that he is the LORD—same motive and goal as 20:44.
- Ezekiel 39:27-28 (verbal): After restoration God says he will no longer hide his face and the people will know that I am the LORD their God—parallels the promised recognition of God’s identity and purpose in 20:44.
- Isaiah 48:11 (thematic): God insists he acts ‘for my own sake’ (or name’s sake) to avoid profaning his name; parallels the emphasis on divine action motivated by honor of God’s name rather than Israel’s ways.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall know that I am the LORD when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.
- Then you shall know that I am the LORD when I act for my name’s sake—not according to your evil ways nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel—declares the LORD.
Therefore say to the house of Israel: Thus says the Sovereign LORD—On the way of your fathers you have been defiled, and you go whoring after their abominations. And when you offered your gifts and passed your children through the fire, you became defiled with all your idols to this day. And I will require a reckoning of you, house of Israel—As I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will require it.
As for what is in your minds—‘We will be like the nations, like the families of the lands, to serve wood and stone’—it shall not be as you say.
As I live—declares the Sovereign LORD—by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by poured-out wrath I will reign over you.
I will bring you out from among the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with poured-out wrath.
I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will judge you face to face.
As I judged your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you—declares the Sovereign LORD.
I will pass you under the rod and bring you into the bond of the covenant.
I will purge from among you the rebels and those who transgress against me; I will bring them out of the land of their dwellings. They shall not enter the land of Israel, and you will know that I am the LORD.
As for you, house of Israel—thus says the Sovereign LORD—each of you put away your idols; turn from all your abominations and go serve them no more. Do not profane my holy name any longer with your gifts and your idols.
For on my holy mountain, on the high mountain of Israel—declares the Sovereign LORD—there all the house of Israel shall serve me; there their land shall be their possession, and there I will accept your offerings and the firstfruits of your contributions in all your holy things.
I will accept you as a pleasing aroma when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the countries where you were scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the nations.
You will know that I am the LORD when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I lifted up my hand to give to your fathers.
There you will remember your ways and all your deeds by which you were defiled, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. And you will know that I am the LORD when I act for my name’s sake—not according to your evil ways nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel—declares the Sovereign LORD.