Ezekiel 36 foretells the restoration of the land of Israel and its people. God declares His intent to act not for Israel's merit, but for the sanctification of His holy name, which was profaned among the heathen. He promises to gather Israel, cleanse them spiritually, give them a new heart and spirit, and bring them back to a prosperous land, where they will dwell as His people.
therefore prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Because they have made you desolate and have trampled you on every side, so that you became a possession of the rest of the nations and were taken up in slander by the lips of their talkers,
therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become a spoil and a mockery to the rest of the nations around you.
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder.
Therefore, prophesy concerning the land of Israel and tell the mountains and hills, the ravines and valleys, that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I have spoken in My burning zeal because you have endured the reproach of the nations.
I will fill you with people and animals, and they will multiply and be fruitful. I will make you as inhabited as you once were, and I will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Yes, I will cause My people Israel to walk upon you; they will possess you, and you will be their inheritance, and you will no longer deprive them of their children.
I will no longer allow the taunts of the nations to be heard against you, and you will no longer endure the reproach of the peoples or cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord GOD.”
“Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their behavior before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity.
And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’
Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went.
I will show the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations—the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when I show My holiness in you before their eyes.
I will also make the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer bear reproach among the nations on account of famine.
This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be resettled and the ruins to be rebuilt.
Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’
Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt what was destroyed, and I have replanted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it.
This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock.
Like the numerous flocks for sacrifices at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so the ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
Study Notes for Ezekiel 36
Verse 1
Ezekiel is commanded to address the physical land of Israel directly. This personification emphasizes that the land itself suffered shame and desolation alongside its inhabitants.
Verse 2
The 'ancient high places' refer to the prominent hills and territories of Israel. The enemy (primarily Edom, see v. 5) claimed these as their possession after Jerusalem’s fall, viewing the defeat as proof of Israel’s God’s weakness.
Verse 5
God's 'jealousy' is his protective zeal for his holy territory. 'Idumea' (Edom) is singled out as having maliciously seized the land, demonstrating extreme hostile intent against YHWH’s domain.
Verse 7
God promises a reversal of fortune. The surrounding nations who mocked Israel will themselves experience the shame and humiliation they inflicted.
Verse 8
The focus shifts from judging the enemies to restoring the physical land, promising immediate agricultural fertility in anticipation of the exiles' imminent return.
Verse 11
The restoration will not merely return Israel to its previous status, but will surpass it. God promises a future state that is 'better' than their initial settlement, pointing toward an ultimate, ideal restoration.
Verse 13
The slander that the land 'devourest up men' references the frequent wars, famines, and judgments that decimated Israel's population, suggesting the land itself was hostile to its inhabitants due to their sin (cf. Num. 13:32).
Verse 17
The phrase 'uncleanness of a removed woman' refers to ritual impurity associated with menstruation (Lev. 15:19). This metaphor emphasizes the profound and pervasive defilement caused by Israel’s idolatry and bloodshed.
Verse 20
When the exiles were scattered, the surrounding nations misinterpreted the event, concluding that YHWH was unable to protect his people. Thus, Israel's defeat led directly to the profaning of God's reputation among the heathen.
Verse 22
This is a pivotal theological statement: God’s actions are motivated entirely by his own holiness and honor, not by any merit or righteousness found in Israel. Restoration is an act of sovereign grace.
Verse 24
The physical gathering of the people (v. 24) precedes the spiritual transformation (v. 25ff.), establishing the order of God’s redemptive work.
Verse 25
'Sprinkle clean water' refers to ritual purification, symbolizing the inward cleansing from sin and idolatry necessary to re-establish the relationship with God.
Verse 26
This verse contains the central promise of the New Covenant (cf. Jer. 31:33). The 'stony heart' represents human rebellion and inability to obey; the 'heart of flesh' represents a renewed, responsive disposition capable of fellowship.
Verse 27
The indwelling of God's Spirit is the divine mechanism that makes the new heart effective. The Spirit provides the internal motivation and power necessary for the people to actually walk in obedience, reversing the failure of the Old Covenant.
Verse 28
The ultimate goal of the covenant relationship is realized: the people dwell securely in the promised land, and the foundational identity statement is fulfilled: 'ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.'
Verse 31
True repentance is generated by grace. Having experienced God's unmerited cleansing, the people will look back on their former sins with 'loathing' (self-disgust), highlighting the depth of their gratitude.
Verse 32
God reiterates the source of the restoration (his own name) and calls for the people to remain humble, emphasizing that shame is the only appropriate response to their past ways.
Verse 35
The land’s transformation will be so complete that it will resemble the 'garden of Eden,' symbolizing a return to paradisiacal fertility, peace, and order, reversing the curses of the exile.
Verse 36
The ultimate purpose of the restoration is the vindication of YHWH. The surrounding nations, having witnessed Israel's desolation, will now recognize God’s sovereignty and power in rebuilding them.
Verse 37
While God promises the restoration unilaterally, he still requires his people to engage in prayer and petition ('be enquired of'), establishing the necessary role of human dependence in receiving divine blessings.
Verse 38
'Holy flock' refers to the immense number of animals offered during the feasts. This metaphor illustrates the vast increase in population (flocks of men) that will fill the restored cities.
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