Ezekiel 11:16

Translation
King James Version
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Therefore say H559, Thus saith H559 the Lord H136 GOD H3069; Although I have cast them far off H7368 among the heathen H1471, and although I have scattered H6327 them among the countries H776, yet will I be to them as a little H4592 sanctuary H4720 in the countries H776 where they shall come H935.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore, say that Adonai ELOHIM says this: 'True, I removed them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries; nevertheless, I have been a little sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.'
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’
Ask
American Standard Version
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they are come.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore say, Thus says the Lord GOD: Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have come.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God, Although I haue cast them farre off among the heathen, and although I haue scattered them among the countreis, yet wil I be to them as a litle Sanctuarie in ye countreis where they shall come.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
it is ours, the land hath been given for an inheritance; therefore say: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because I put them afar off among nations, And because I scattered them through lands, I also am to them for a little sanctuary, In lands whither they have gone in.
Ask
See also
Isaiah 8:14Psalms 90:1Leviticus 26:44Jeremiah 31:10Psalms 31:20Psalms 44:11Proverbs 18:10
In the KJVVerse 20,672 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Ezekiel 11:16 delivers a profound message of divine faithfulness and unwavering presence amidst severe judgment and impending exile for the people of Israel. Despite God's pronouncements of their scattering among foreign nations due to their idolatry and disobedience, this verse reveals a surprising promise: that the Lord Himself would become a spiritual "little sanctuary" to them in the lands of their captivity. It underscores that God's presence is not confined to a physical temple but is intimately accessible to His covenant people, offering solace, spiritual refuge, and a means of continued communion even in their darkest hour of displacement and despair.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Ezekiel 11:16 stands as a pivotal moment of grace within a broader prophetic narrative dominated by pronouncements of judgment against Jerusalem and its corrupt leaders. Prior to this verse, the prophet Ezekiel details the spiritual defilement of the city, exposing the abominations committed within the Temple precincts (e.g., Ezekiel 8). Chapters 9-10 vividly describe the execution of judgment upon the city and, most significantly, the symbolic departure of the glory of the Lord from the Temple and the city itself (e.g., Ezekiel 10:18-19), culminating in its final ascent from the Mount of Olives in Ezekiel 11:23). This departure signals the end of the old covenant order and the imminent Babylonian conquest. It is against this backdrop of divine abandonment of the physical temple and the impending physical displacement of the people that God's unexpected promise of an enduring spiritual presence emerges, offering a glimmer of hope for the exiled remnant.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for Ezekiel 11:16 is the early stages of the Babylonian exile. Many prominent Judeans, including Ezekiel himself, had already been deported to Babylon in 597 BC (as detailed in 2 Kings 24:10-16). Jerusalem, though besieged, had not yet been utterly destroyed. The people who remained in Jerusalem, along with many exiles, held onto the false hope that the Temple would protect them and that their exile would be short-lived. Culturally, the Temple was the epicenter of Israelite life, representing God's dwelling place, the locus of atonement, and the very symbol of their national and religious identity. To be cast out of the land and away from the Temple was not merely a physical displacement but a profound spiritual and existential crisis, akin to being cut off from God Himself. The promise of a "little sanctuary" directly addresses this crisis, reorienting their understanding of God's presence away from a fixed geographical location to a dynamic, personal relationship that transcends physical boundaries.
  • Key Themes: Ezekiel 11:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezekiel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Judgment, demonstrating God's absolute authority to judge His people for their sin, even to the point of scattering them from their homeland as a consequence of their persistent idolatry and rebellion. Secondly, it introduces the profound theme of God's Enduring Faithfulness and Presence, revealing that even in judgment, God does not utterly abandon His covenant people. His presence is not contingent on their obedience or a physical structure, but on His unchanging character and covenant promises. Thirdly, the concept of a "little sanctuary" foreshadows the Transformation of Worship and the Nature of God's Dwelling. With the Temple destroyed, God indicates that true worship and communion can occur anywhere, laying groundwork for the synagogue system that flourished during the exile and ultimately pointing to a more spiritual, less localized form of worship, a theme further developed by Jesus in passages like John 4:21-24. This verse serves as a crucial bridge between the old covenant's emphasis on a physical temple and the new covenant's emphasis on God's indwelling Spirit.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Lord GOD (Hebrew, ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih', H136): This compound title (H136, H3069) emphasizes the absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness of God. ʼĂdônây (H136) is an emphatic form of "Lord," often used as a proper name for God, denoting His mastery and authority. Yᵉhôvih (H3069) is a variation of YHWH, the personal covenant name of God, indicating His self-existence and unchanging nature. Together, they underscore that the message comes from the supreme, covenant-keeping God, lending immense weight and certainty to His promise, even amidst judgment.
  • Scattered (Hebrew, pûwts', H6327): This primitive root (H6327) means "to dash in pieces" or "to disperse." It vividly describes the violent and widespread dispersion of the Israelites among foreign nations, portraying the act as a forceful shattering. This scattering was a direct consequence of their disobedience and God's judgment, fulfilling covenant curses. The use of this strong verb highlights the devastating reality of exile, but the verse immediately counteracts the despair of this scattering with the promise of His enduring presence.
  • Little Sanctuary (Hebrew, mᵉʻaṭ miqdâsh', H4592): This powerful phrase combines mᵉʻaṭ (H4592), meaning "a little" or "small," with miqdâsh (H4720), referring to a consecrated thing or place, most commonly the Temple or a holy place dedicated to God. When paired, it conveys a sense of a diminished or temporary form, not in the quality or power of God's presence, but in comparison to the grand, physical Temple they had lost. It suggests a portable, accessible, and perhaps less formal manifestation of holiness, suitable for their scattered condition, yet entirely sufficient for their spiritual needs. God Himself becomes the locus of holiness, accessible wherever His people are.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD;": This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and absolute certainty of the message. Ezekiel is presented as a direct mouthpiece for God, ensuring that the words are not human conjecture but divine revelation. The title "Lord GOD" (ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih) emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even as He delivers a message of both judgment and surprising grace.
  • "Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries,": This clause acknowledges the harsh reality of the exiles' situation and God's active, sovereign role in it. The verbs "cast them far off" (râchaq - H7368, to remove far away) and "scattered" (pûwts - H6327, to disperse) vividly describe the forced dispersion of the Israelites from their homeland into foreign, pagan lands (gôwy - H1471, nations/Gentiles). This was a direct consequence of their sin and a fulfillment of covenant curses, highlighting the severity of divine judgment and the complete disruption of their national life.
  • "yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.": This is the pivotal promise of the verse, offering profound hope and a radical redefinition of God's dwelling. Despite their displacement and the loss of the physical Temple, God promises to be their "little sanctuary" (miqdâsh mᵉʻaṭ). This means He Himself will serve as their holy dwelling place, a source of spiritual refuge, communion, and atonement, accessible to them wherever they are. It signifies that true worship and God's presence are not bound by geography or physical structures, but by His direct, personal, and faithful relationship with His people.

Literary Devices

Ezekiel 11:16 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message of divine faithfulness amidst judgment. The most prominent is Paradox, as God declares He will be a "little sanctuary" at the very moment the grand, physical Temple, the traditional locus of His presence, is about to be destroyed. This creates a powerful tension, highlighting that God's presence is not confined to human constructs but transcends them. The phrase "a little sanctuary" itself functions as a potent Metaphor, where God is directly equated with a sacred space, providing refuge and holiness. This is further emphasized by the stark Contrast between the act of scattering and the promise of intimate presence; the vastness of their dispersion is met by the concentrated, personal presence of God. The entire verse is framed as a Divine Oracle ("Thus saith the Lord GOD"), lending it absolute authority, certainty, and an undeniable prophetic weight. Finally, the repetition of "although I have cast them far off... and although I have scattered them" employs Anaphora, underscoring the severity and certainty of the judgment while powerfully setting the stage for the dramatic and unexpected shift to God's merciful promise.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Ezekiel 11:16 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that His presence is not contingent upon human circumstances, physical structures, or even the people's obedience. It reveals a profound theological truth: while God may use judgment to discipline His people, He never utterly abandons them. This verse foreshadows a more spiritual understanding of God's dwelling, moving beyond the confines of a physical temple to an intimate, personal presence with His scattered people. This concept was vital for the development of the synagogue system during the exile, where communities gathered for worship and study without a central temple, and it ultimately points to the New Covenant reality of God dwelling within believers through His Spirit, making every believer a temple of the Holy Spirit. It affirms that God is sovereign over all circumstances, transforming even punishment into an opportunity for deeper reliance on Him.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Ezekiel 11:16 offers enduring comfort and profound spiritual insight for believers today. It assures us that God's presence is not limited by our circumstances, our geographical location, or even our past failures. Whether we experience personal "exile" through hardship, loneliness, professional displacement, or a sense of being far from what we perceive as "holy ground," God promises to be our ever-present sanctuary. This verse challenges us to re-evaluate where we seek our security and spiritual solace, reminding us that true worship and communion with God are not dependent on physical buildings, perfect conditions, or ideal circumstances, but on a personal, spiritual relationship with Him. In a world of constant change, uncertainty, and often-unforeseen trials, knowing that the Lord Himself is our accessible, intimate sanctuary provides an anchor for the soul, transforming moments of vulnerability into opportunities for deeper reliance on His faithful and indwelling presence. It calls us to recognize His holiness in the mundane and His nearness in our most scattered moments.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life do you currently feel "scattered" or "far off" from a sense of God's presence or security? How might this verse encourage you in those moments?
  • What does it practically mean for God to be "a little sanctuary" in your everyday life, and how can you cultivate a deeper awareness of His indwelling presence regardless of your physical location or circumstances?
  • How does this verse challenge any tendency you might have to limit God's presence or activity to specific places, religious rituals, or ideal conditions?

FAQ

What does "a little sanctuary" mean in Ezekiel 11:16?

Answer: The phrase "a little sanctuary" (Hebrew: miqdâsh mᵉʻaṭ) signifies that even though the grand Temple in Jerusalem, the physical dwelling place of God's glory, was destined for destruction and the people were exiled, God Himself would become a spiritual, portable, and accessible holy place for them wherever they were scattered. It implies that God's presence and the means of communion with Him are not confined to a physical building or a specific geographical location. He would serve as their source of holiness, refuge, comfort, and a place for atonement and worship, enabling them to maintain their faith and relationship with Him even in foreign lands. This concept was crucial for the survival of Israelite faith during the Babylonian exile, leading to the development of synagogues as centers of worship and study. It emphasizes God's personal accessibility over a fixed, physical structure.

How does this verse relate to God's judgment on Israel?

Answer: Ezekiel 11:16 is deeply intertwined with God's judgment on Israel. Prior to this verse, God pronounces severe judgment on Jerusalem's wicked leaders and promises the city's destruction and the people's dispersion due to their idolatry and disobedience (e.g., Ezekiel 9). The "casting far off" and "scattering among the countries" are direct consequences of this judgment, fulfilling covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:64). However, the verse also reveals God's profound mercy and faithfulness within judgment. It shows that even in discipline, God does not utterly abandon His covenant people. The promise of being "a little sanctuary" ensures that while they face the consequences of their sin, they are not utterly cut off from His presence and provision, offering a glimmer of hope and a means of spiritual survival amidst the severity of their punishment.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Ezekiel 11:16 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The promise of God being a "little sanctuary" for His scattered people foreshadows the profound truth that in Christ, God's dwelling place is no longer a physical temple, but a living, breathing person, and through Him, a spiritual reality within believers. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body. He is the ultimate "sanctuary," the very embodiment of God's presence among humanity, the Word made flesh who "dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ gathers those who were "scattered" by sin and brings them near to God (Ephesians 2:13). Furthermore, the New Testament reveals that through the Holy Spirit, believers themselves become the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19), fulfilling the promise of God's intimate, indwelling presence regardless of physical location or external circumstances. In Christ, the "little sanctuary" becomes a universal, spiritual reality, culminating in the vision of the New Jerusalem where there is no need for a temple, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (Revelation 21:22).

Copy as

Commentary on Ezekiel 11 verses 14–21

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details

Prophecy was designed to exalt every valley as well as to bring low every mountain and hill (Isa 40:4), and prophets were to speak not only conviction to the presumptuous and secure, but comfort to the despised and desponding that trembled at God's word. The prophet Ezekiel, having in the former part of this chapter received instructions for the awakening of those that were at ease in Zion, is in these verses furnished with comfortable words for those that mourned in Babylon and by the rivers there sat weeping when they remembered Zion. Observe,

I. How the pious captives were trampled upon and insulted over by those who continued in Jerusalem, Eze 11:15. God tells the prophet what the inhabitants of Jerusalem said of him and the rest of them that were already carried away to Babylon. God had owned them as good figs, and declared it was for their good that he had sent them into Babylon; but the inhabitants of Jerusalem abandoned them, supposing those that were really the best saints to be the greatest sinners of all men that dwelt in Jerusalem. Observe, 1. How they are described: They are thy brethren (says God to the prophet), whom thou hast a concern and affection for; they are the men of thy kindred (the men of thy redemption, so the word is), thy next of kin, to whom the right of redeeming the alienated possession belongs, but who are so far from being able to do it that they have themselves gone into captivity. They are the whole house of Israel; God so accounts of them because they only have retained their integrity, and are bettered by their captivity. They were not only of the same family and nation with Ezekiel, but of the same spirit; they were his hearers, and he had communion with them in holy ordinances; and perhaps upon that account they are called his brethren and the men of his kindred. 2. How they were disowned by the inhabitants of Jerusalem; they said of them, Get you far from the Lord. Those that were at ease and proud themselves scorned their brethren that were humbled and under humbling providences. (1.) They cut them off from being members of their church. Because they had separated themselves from their rulers and in compliance with the will of God had surrendered themselves to the king of Babylon, they excommunicated them, and said, "Get you far from the Lord; we will have nothing to do with you." Those that were superstitious were very willing to shake off those that were conscientious, and were severe in their censures of them and sentences against them, as if they were forsaken and forgotten of the Lord and were cut off from the communion of the faithful. (2.) They cut them off from being members of the commonwealth too, as if they had no longer any part or lot in the matter: "Unto us is this land given in possession, and you have forfeited your estates by surrendering to the king of Babylon, and we have thereby become entitled to them." God takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the contempt which those that are in prosperity put upon their brethren that are in affliction.

II. The gracious promises which God made to them in consideration of the insolent conduct of their brethren towards them. Those that hated them and cast them out said, Let the Lord be glorified; but he shall appear to their joy, Isa 66:5. God owns that his hand had gone out against them, which had given occasion to their brethren to triumph over them (Eze 11:16): "It is true I have cast them far off among the heathen and scattered them among the countries; they look as if they were an abandoned people, and so mingled with the nations that they will be lost among them; but I have mercy in store for them." Note, God takes occasion from the contempts which are put upon his people to speak comfort to them, as David hoped God would reward him good for Shimei's cursing. His time to support his people's hopes is when their enemies are endeavouring to drive them to despair. Now God promises,

1.That he will make up to them the want of the temple and the privileges of it (Eze 11:16): I will be to them as a little sanctuary, in the countries where they shall come. Those at Jerusalem have the temple, but without God; those in Babylon have God, though without the temple. (1.) God will be a sanctuary to them; that is, a place of refuge; to him they shall flee, and in him they shall be safe, as he was that took hold on the horns of the altar. Or, rather, they shall have such communion with God in the land of their captivity as it was thought could be had nowhere but in the temple. They shall there see God's power and his glory, as they used to see them in the sanctuary; they shall have the tokens of God's presence with them, and his grace in their hearts shall sanctify their prayers and praises, as well as ever the altar sanctified the gift, so that they shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock. (2.) He will be a little sanctuary, not seen or observed by their enemies, who looked with an evil and an envious eye upon that house at Jerusalem which was high and great, Kg1 9:8. They were but few and mean, and a little sanctuary was fittest for them. God regards the low estate of his people, and suits his favours to their circumstances. Observe the condescensions of divine grace. The great God will be to his people a little sanctuary. Note, Those that are deprived of the benefit of public ordinances, if it be not their own fault, may have the want of them abundantly made up in the immediate communications of divine grace and comforts.

2.That God would in due time put an end to their afflictions, bring them out of the land of their captivity, and settle them again, them or their children, in their own land (Eze 11:17): "I will gather even you that are thus dispersed, thus despised, and given over for lost by your own countrymen; I will gather you from the people, distinguish you from those with whom you are mingled, deliver you from those by whom you are held captives, and assemble you in a body out of the countries where you have been scattered; you shall not come back one by one, but all together, which will make your return more honourable, safe, and comfortable; and then I will give you the land of Israel, which now your brethren look upon you as for ever shut out from." Note, It is well for us that men's severe censures cannot cut us off from God's gracious promises. There are many that will be found to have a place in the holy land whom uncharitable men, by their monopolies of it to themselves, had secluded from it. I will give you the land of Israel, give it to you again by a new grant, and they shall come thither. If there be any thing in the change of the person from you to them, it may signify the posterity of those to whom the promise is made. "You shall have the title as the patriarchs had, and those that come after shall have the possession."

3.That God by his grace would part between them and their sins, Eze 11:18. Their captivity shall effectually cure them of their idolatry: When they come thither to their own land again they shall take away all the detestable things thereof. Their idols, that had been their delectable things, should now be looked upon with detestation, not only the idols of Babylon, where they were captives, but the idols of Canaan, where they were natives; they should not only not worship them as they had done, but they should not suffer any monuments of them to remain: They shall take all the abominations thereof thence. Note, Then it is in mercy that we return to a prosperous estate, when we return not to the sins and follies of that state. What have I to do any more with idols?

4.That God would powerfully dispose them to their duty; they shall not only cease to do evil, but they shall learn to do well, because there shall be not only an end of their troubles, but a return to their peace.

(1.)God will plant good principles in them; he will make the tree good, Eze 11:19. This is a gospel promise, and is made good to all those whom God designs for the heavenly Canaan; for God prepares all for heaven whom he has prepared heaven for. It is promised, [1.] That God will give them one heart, a heart entire for the true God and not divided as it had been among many gods, a heart firmly fixed and resolved for God and not wavering, steady and uniform, and not inconstant with itself. One heart is a sincere and upright heart, its intentions of a piece with its professions. [2.] That he will put a new spirit within them, a temper of mind agreeable to the new circumstances into which God in his providence would bring them. All that are sanctified have a new spirit, quite different from what it was; they act from new principles, walk by new rules, and aim at new ends. A new name, or a new face, will not serve without a new spirit. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. [3.] That he will take away the stony heart out of their flesh, out of their corrupt nature. Their hearts shall no longer be, as they have been, dead and dry, and hard and heavy, as a stone, no longer incapable of bearing good fruit, so that the good seed is lost upon it, as it was on the stony ground. [4.] That he will give them a heart of flesh, not dead or proud flesh, but living flesh; he will make their hearts sensible of spiritual pains and spiritual pleasures, will make them tender, and apt to receive impressions. This is God's work, it is his gift, his gift by promise; and a wonderful and happy change it is that is wrought by it, from death to life. This is promised to those whom God would bring back to their own land; for then such a change of the condition is for the better indeed when it is accompanied with such a change of the heart; and such a change must be wrought in all those that shall be brought to the better country, that is, the heavenly.

(2.)Their practices shall be consonant to those principles: I will give them a new spirit, not that they may be able to discourse well of religion and to dispute for it, but that they may walk in my statues in their whole conversation and keep my ordinances in all acts of religious worship, Eze 11:20. These two must go together; and those to whom God has given a new heart and a new spirit will make conscience of both; and then they shall be my people and I will be their God. The ancient covenant, which seemed to be broken and forgotten, shall be renewed. By their idolatry, it should seem, they had cast God off; by their captivity, it should seem, God had cast them off. But when they were cured of their idolatry, and delivered out of their captivity, God and his Israel own one another again. God, by his good work in them, will make them his people; and then, by the tokens of his good-will towards them, he will show that he is their God.

III. Here is a threatening of wrath against those who hated to be reformed. As, when judgments are threatened, the righteous are distinguished so as not to share in the evil of those judgments, so, when favours are promised, the wicked are distinguished so as not to share in the comfort of those favours; they have no part nor lot in the matter, Eze 11:21. But, as for those that have no grace, what have they to do with peace? Observe, 1. Their description. Their heart walks after the heart of their detestable things; they have as great a minds to worship devils as devils have to be worshipped. Or, in opposition to the new heart which God gives his people, which is a heart after his own heart, they have a heart after the heart of their idols; in their temper and practice they conformed to the characters and accounts given them of their idols, and the ideas they had of them, and of them they learned lewdness and cruelty. Here lies the root of all their wickedness, the corruption of the heart; as the root of their reformation is laid in the renovation of the heart. The heart has its walks, and according as those are the man is. 2. Their doom. It carries both justice and terror in it: I will recompense their way upon their own heads; I will deal with them as they deserve. There needs no more than this to speak God righteous, that he does but render to men according to their deserts: and yet such are the deserts of sin that there needs no more than this to speak the sinner miserable.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–21. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Ezekiel
(Verse 14 onwards) And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, your brothers, your brothers: the men near you and all the house of Israel, all of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: Depart far from the Lord: to us the land has been given as possession. Therefore, thus says the Lord God: because I have removed them far off among the nations, and because I have scattered them among the lands, I will be a small sanctification for them in the lands which they have come to. LXX: And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Son of man, your brothers and the men of your captivity, and all the house of Israel is consumed; to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: You are far off from the Lord; to us is given the land in possession. Therefore say: Thus saith the Lord God: Because I will remove them far off among the nations, and because I will disperse them in the countries, and will be to them a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. First, we must discuss the variety of interpretations. Because in the Hebrew it says, 'the men who are near to you' (for this is the meaning of 'Goolathach'), the LXX translated it as 'the men of your captivity'. Then it follows: 'all whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem told'; instead of 'all', they put 'those' due to the ambiguity of the letters and the word. 'Chullo', which Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion translated as 'all', they rendered as 'consummated', which does not make any sense at all in terms of the meaning. Therefore, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, who had said: Alas, alas, alas, O Lord God, are you bringing to an end the remnant of Israel? Specifically, through the death of Phaltiel and those who were killed with him, because those were not the remnants that the prophet thought were in Jerusalem, but rather those who appeared to be captive in Babylon. And the meaning is this: O son of man, your brothers, who were born of the same lineage as you, your brothers, I say, to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, you have turned away from the Lord because you are captives, and you have given yourselves to Jechoniah, but to us the land of Israel has been given as an eternal possession. So tell them that though I have sent them far away from the land of Israel and scattered them among the nations and commanded them to be in foreign lands, because they have obeyed my command, I will be with them even in foreign and hostile places for a small sanctification. As long as there are some among them who do not submit their necks to idolatry but remember God's commandments, like Daniel and the three young men, it is to be believed that there were others like them, in the likeness of such great rulers that Scripture now recalls (Dan. III). From all these things we learn that we should not insult those who have been handed over to punishment by the judgment of God, nor reproach a person who has turned away from their sins, nor should we ever say to those who repent and leave the Church: 'You have gone far away from the Lord; the land has been given to us as a possession.' For thus says the Lord: Although I have temporarily separated them from my Church and scattered them among the nations, I will still be for them a sanctification, as long as they remember their sins and hasten to return to their former dwelling places due to repentance.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Ezekiel 11:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.