The Two Sticks: Unity of Israel and the Davidic Covenant
Ezekiel 37:15-28
Eze.37.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:4 (verbal): Uses the same prophetic formula 'Now the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,' introducing a divine utterance to the prophet.
- 1 Kings 17:2 (verbal): Another narrative instance of 'And the word of the LORD came unto...' where God issues direct instruction to a prophet (Elijah).
- Micah 1:1 (structural): Begins with the standard prophetic heading 'The word of the LORD that came to Micah...'—a structural parallel in how prophetic messages are introduced.
- Zechariah 1:1 (structural): Introduces Zechariah's oracles with a dating formula plus 'the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah,' paralleling Ezekiel's prophetic-introduction formula.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Eze.37.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- וכתב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ליהודה: PREP+PN,masc,sg
- ולבני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חבריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ולקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- וכתוב: CONJ+ADJ,ptcp,pass,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ליוסף: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חבריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 37:15-28 (structural): The full prophetic allegory of the two sticks (Judah and Joseph/Ephraim) that are joined to symbolize the reunification and future restoration of Israel under one king and covenant.
- Ezekiel 37:17 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same action—God commands Ezekiel to join the two sticks 'one to another'—making explicit the symbolic reunion introduced in v.16.
- Ezekiel 37:22 (thematic): Summarizes the outcome of the two-stick vision: 'one nation' with 'one king'—the restored unity of Israel and Judah foreseen in v.16.
- Genesis 48:5-20 (allusion): Background for the reference to Joseph and Ephraim: Jacob's blessing and the prominence of Ephraim (Joseph's son) in the northern tribes, from which Ezekiel draws the label 'stick of Joseph, the stick of Ephraim.'
- 1 Kings 12:16-20 (thematic): The historical event of the kingdom's division into Judah and (northern) Israel provides the real-world background for the two-stick symbolism of separate polities that Ezekiel envisions being reunited.
Alternative generated candidates
- Son of man, take one stick and write on it, ‘For Judah and the members of the house of Israel associated with him’; then take another stick and write on it, ‘For Joseph— the stick of Ephraim— and for all the house of Israel associated with him.’
- Son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, 'For Judah and for the sons of Israel his companions'; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph — the stick of Ephraim — and for all the house of Israel his companions.'
Eze.37.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וקרב: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לעץ: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאחדים: PREP+ADJ,m,pl
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 37:15-16 (structural): Immediate context: the two sticks (for Judah and Joseph/Ephraim) are introduced—setting up the symbolic joining enacted in v.17.
- Ezekiel 37:19 (verbal): Repeats and expands the image of joining the sticks into one, explicitly identifying them as 'one stick' and linking the action to divine speech.
- Ezekiel 37:22 (thematic): States the prophetic outcome of the joining: God will make Israel and Judah one nation—interpreting the symbolism of the single stick.
- Jeremiah 3:18 (allusion): Speaks of a future time when Judah and Israel 'shall be joined together' and serve the Lord under one king—a similar promise of national reunification.
- Hosea 1:11 (thematic): Foretells the gathering and joining of the houses of Israel and Judah into one 'great nation,' paralleling Ezekiel's motif of reunification.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bring them near one to another— make them one stick in your hand.
- Join them one to another into one stick, so that they become one in your hand.
Eze.37.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכאשר: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- הלוא: PART
- תגיד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezek.37.19 (structural): Immediate continuation — God instructs Ezekiel how to answer when the people ask the meaning of the two sticks (direct explanatory reply).
- Ezek.24.24 (verbal): Very similar wording elsewhere in Ezekiel: the people ask the prophet, 'Will you not tell us what these mean to you?' (same formula of inquiry about a prophetic sign).
- Ezek.17.2-3 (thematic): God commands Ezekiel to set forth a riddle/parable to Israel — parallels the use of enacted/parabolic signs that prompt questions about their meaning.
- Acts 2:12 (thematic): Onlookers at Pentecost ask, 'What does this mean?' — a comparable reaction of the crowd confronted with an extraordinary sign and seeking explanation.
- Dan.5:12 (thematic): Officials seek an interpreter for the mysterious writing on the wall and summon Daniel to explain — analogous situation of requesting a prophet's interpretation of a sign.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what these things mean to you?’
- When the children of your people ask you, 'Will you not tell us what these mean to you?'
Eze.37.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושבטי: NOUN,m,pl,constr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חבריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לעץ: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בידי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff1s
Parallels
- Ezekiel 37:15-17 (structural): Immediate context: the prophetic sign of the two sticks (Joseph/Ephraim and Judah) being joined into one, explaining and expanding the same image of reunification.
- Hosea 1:11 (verbal): Predicts that 'the children of Israel and the children of Judah' will be gathered and 'appoint themselves one head,' a closely related promise of unity between Ephraim (Joseph) and Judah.
- Isaiah 11:13 (thematic): Speaks of the end of rivalry between Ephraim and Judah—'Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim'—echoing Ezekiel's theme of restored unity.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (thematic): Promises a future restoration and inward renewal of Israel (a 'new covenant') that underlies Ezekiel’s vision of political and spiritual reunification of the divided tribes.
- Psalm 133:1 (thematic): Celebrates the blessedness of brothers dwelling together in unity—a general theological motif that illuminates the value and goal of the reunification image in Ezekiel 37:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- Say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions; and I will join them to it with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand.
- Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph that is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions; I will put it with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand.'
Eze.37.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- העצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- א: PRT
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תכתב: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 8:1-3 (structural): God commands Isaiah to take a large tablet and write a message as a visible prophetic sign — same ritual action of writing a prophetic text to be shown publicly.
- Isaiah 30:8 (verbal): Isaiah told to 'write it' on a tablet and record it — shares the explicit verb of writing as a prophetic mandate to produce a written sign for the people.
- Jeremiah 36:2 (structural): Jeremiah ordered to take a roll and write all the words God spoke, then read them publicly — parallels the use of written material as a prophetic demonstration before the people.
- Ezekiel 4:1-3 (thematic): Ezekiel commanded to inscribe the name of a city on a clay tile/brick as part of a symbolic acted prophecy — closely parallels Ezekiel's own practice of writing on objects to enact God's message.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sticks on which you write shall be before their eyes.
- The sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.
Eze.37.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ודבר: VERB,qal,fut,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- וקבצתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מסביב: ADV,loc
- והבאתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אל: NEG
- אדמתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:24 (verbal): Near-identical promise: God will take Israel from the nations and gather them, then bring them into their own land—same Ezekiel reclaiming/gathering motif and phrasing.
- Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (verbal): Early covenant promise that the LORD will restore Israel from exile, gather them from all nations, and bring them back to the land—language and theme echoed in Ezekiel 37:21.
- Jeremiah 30:3 (thematic): Prophetic assurance that God will 'bring back the captivity' of Israel and gather the remnant—shares the same eschatological restoration theme found in Ezekiel 37:21.
- Isaiah 11:12 (allusion): Isaiah's vision that God will raise a banner and gather the dispersed of Israel from the four corners of the earth parallels Ezekiel's gathering of the people from the nations.
- Amos 9:14-15 (thematic): Promise that God will restore Israel, bring them back to their land, and plant them—echoes Ezekiel's promise to gather the exiles and bring them into their own land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations where they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them into their own land.
- And say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them into their own land.
Eze.37.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- לגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בהרי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכלם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- לשני: PREP+NUM,card,dual,m
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- יחצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- עוד: ADV
- לשתי: PREP+NUM,card,f,du
- ממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- עוד: ADV
Parallels
- Ezekiel 37:21 (structural): Immediate context: God speaks of regathering Israel from the nations and bringing them into their land—setting up the unity described in v.22.
- Ezekiel 37:24 (verbal): Continues the same promise: 'My servant David shall be king over them'—explicitly identifies a single king/shepherd for the reunited people.
- Hosea 1:11 (verbal): Foretells that 'the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head,' directly paralleling the idea of one united people under one leader.
- Jeremiah 3:18 (thematic): Speaks of the house of Judah joining the house of Israel and coming to the land given to their fathers—a thematically similar promise of reunification in the land.
- Amos 9:14-15 (thematic): Promises restoration of Israel to their land with permanent dwelling and flourishing—echoes the covenantal restoration and unity envisioned in Ezek. 37:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all. They shall no longer be two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more.
- And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all. They shall no longer be two nations, and they shall no longer be divided into two kingdoms.'
Eze.37.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- יטמאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
- עוד: ADV
- בגלוליהם: PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ובשקוציהם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- פשעיהם: NOUN,m,pl,poss
- והושעתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מכל: PREP
- מושבתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חטאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- וטהרתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לעם: PREP
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- אהיה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:25-28 (verbal): Directly parallels the promise of cleansing ('I will sprinkle clean water... I will cleanse you'), the gift of a new heart and Spirit, and the declaration that Israel will be God's people—part of the same prophetic program.
- Jeremiah 31:33-34 (verbal): Promises internal renewal (law written on the heart), forgiveness of sins, and the covenantal formula 'I will be their God, and they shall be my people,' echoing Ezekiel's restoration theme.
- Leviticus 26:11-12 (verbal): Earlier covenant promise that God will dwell among Israel and be their God ('I will walk among you... I will be your God and you shall be my people'), which Ezekiel reasserts in the context of national purification.
- Hosea 2:19-20 (thematic): Uses covenant/betrothal language and a pledge of exclusive relationship culminating in 'you shall know the LORD' and implicit 'you shall be my people,' thematically connected to restoration and re‑established fellowship with God.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (quotation): New Testament citation of the covenantal formula ('I will be their God and they shall be my people') applied to the community of believers, reflecting continuity with Ezekiel's promise of God's indwelling presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall not defile themselves again with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. I will deliver them from all the places where they sinned, and will cleanse them; they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
- They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, their abominations, or with all their transgressions; and I will save them from all their dwelling places where they have sinned, and cleanse them. They shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze.37.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועבדי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,prsfx,1s
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ורועה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכלם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ובמשפטי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1,sg
- ילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וחקתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- ישמרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
Parallels
- Ezekiel 34:23-24 (verbal): Immediate parallel in Ezekiel: the promise to set up 'one shepherd' over the flock and 'my servant David' as ruler — same language and promise within the book.
- Jeremiah 30:9 (verbal): Speaks of the people serving the LORD and 'David their king' raised up for them — echoes the formula 'David ... king' and the restoration theme.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): God’s covenant with David promising an enduring house and kingly line — background theological basis for the prophecy of a Davidic ruler over Israel.
- Isaiah 11:1-5 (thematic): Messianic portrait of a righteous scion of David who will judge and shepherd the people — shares Davidic/kingly and shepherd imagery and rule in righteousness.
- John 10:16 (allusion): Jesus’ claim 'I have other sheep...and there shall be one flock, one shepherd' echoes the 'one shepherd' motif and is read in the NT as fulfillment of Israel’s shepherd/king expectations.
Alternative generated candidates
- My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances, and do them.
- David my servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and do them.
Eze.37.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לעבדי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ליעקב: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ובניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- עד: PREP
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודוד: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- נשיא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 17:8 (thematic): God's promise of the land to Abraham and his descendants 'as an everlasting possession' parallels Ezekiel's promise that the people will dwell forever on the land given to Jacob.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (verbal): The Davidic covenant—God's promise to establish David's house and throne forever—echoes Ezekiel's statement that 'David my servant shall be prince to them forever.'
- Jeremiah 23:5-6 (allusion): The prophecy of a 'righteous Branch' from David who will reign wisely and bring security parallels Ezekiel's vision of a Davidic ruler in the restored land.
- Amos 9:15 (thematic): God's pledge to restore and permanently plant Israel in their land—'they shall never again be uprooted'—mirrors Ezekiel's assurance of permanent settlement in the promised land.
- Psalm 89:3-4 (allusion): The psalm's affirmation of a covenant with David and the enduring nature of his line ('I have made a covenant with my chosen one...his offspring shall endure for ever') resonates with Ezekiel's depiction of an everlasting Davidic leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived; they and their children and their children's children shall dwell there for ever, and David my servant shall be prince of them for ever.
- They shall dwell on the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived; they and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be prince among them forever.
Eze.37.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ונתתים: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- והרביתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ונתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מקדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 54:10 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'covenant of peace' and emphasizes an enduring/unshakable divine promise of peace, closely echoing Ezekiel's 'I will make a covenant of peace... an everlasting covenant.'
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (allusion): Promises a renewed/everlasting covenant with Israel—God's intimate, transforming relationship (law in their hearts)—parallel to Ezekiel's promise of a perpetual covenant and restored people.
- Leviticus 26:11-12 (verbal): God's pledge 'I will set my tabernacle/dwelling among you' parallels Ezekiel's promise to put his sanctuary among them, linking covenantal blessing with God's dwelling presence.
- Exodus 29:45-46 (verbal): Declares 'I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God,' connecting divine presence, covenant relationship, and holiness language that Ezekiel reprises in promising his sanctuary among them forever.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The Davidic covenant's promise to establish a lasting dynasty and an enduring divine commitment echoes Ezekiel's 'everlasting covenant' theme—God's long-term, faithful commitment to Israel's welfare and status.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will make with them a covenant of peace— an everlasting covenant— and will set them in safety and multiply them; and I will set my sanctuary in their midst for evermore.
- I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them. I will set them and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forevermore.
Eze.37.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משכני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- והייתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- יהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לעם: PREP
Parallels
- Exodus 6:7 (verbal): Uses the same covenant formula — 'I will be your God, and you shall be my people' (Hebrew phrasing closely parallels Ezekiel's promise of God–people relationship).
- Leviticus 26:12 (verbal): Promises God's presence among Israel: 'I will walk among you, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people,' echoing Ezekiel's vow that God will dwell with them.
- Jeremiah 31:33-34 (thematic): The new-covenant promise 'I will be their God, and they shall be my people' echoes Ezekiel's restoration theme and the intimate God–people relationship.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 (quotation): Paul explicitly cites the OT promise ('I will live with them and walk among you... I will be their God, and you will be my people') to apply the dwelling-of-God motif to the Christian community.
- Revelation 21:3 (thematic): Eschatological fulfillment: 'Behold, the dwelling of God is with men... he will be their God, and they will be his people,' reflecting Ezekiel's vision of God dwelling among his restored people.
Alternative generated candidates
- My dwelling place shall be among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
- My dwelling place shall be among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Eze.37.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מקדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בהיות: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,sg
- מקדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:23 (verbal): Both verses say the nations will know God's action when He sanctifies His name/Israel — Ezekiel 36:23 announces God will make His holiness known among the nations by sanctifying His name through Israel.
- Ezekiel 39:27-28 (verbal): Echoes the result language: after restoration God says the people/nations will know that He is the LORD and that He has sanctified Israel and dwells among them.
- Leviticus 26:11-12 (thematic): Promises God's abiding presence — 'I will make my dwelling among you / I will walk among you and be your God' — providing the cultic/relational background for 'my sanctuary in their midst.'
- Zechariah 2:11 (thematic): Foresees many nations recognizing and attaching themselves to the LORD and becoming His people, paralleling Ezekiel's claim that the nations will know God's sanctifying work among Israel.
- Revelation 21:3, 24 (allusion): In the eschatological vision God dwells with humanity ('dwelling place of God is with men') and the nations walk by the city's light — a New Testament fulfillment motif of God's sanctuary among his people and international recognition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the nations shall know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst for evermore.
- And the nations shall know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forever.'
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying: And you, son of man, take one stick and write upon it, 'For Judah and the children of Israel his companions'; then take another stick and write upon it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel his companions.'
Bring them near one to another, that they may become one stick in your hand. And when the children of your people say to you, 'Will you not tell us what these mean to you?'
say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his companions; and I will join them to it, to the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand. And the sticks upon which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes.
Say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; and they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more.
They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; I will save them from all their transgressions by which they sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall have one shepherd; they shall walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and do them.
They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, in which your fathers lived; they and their children and their children's children shall dwell there forever; and David my servant shall be prince among them forever.
I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the nations shall know that I the LORD sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them forevermore.