Ezekiel 11:17

KJV

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore say {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; I will even gather {H6908} you from the people {H5971}, and assemble {H622} you out of the countries {H776} where ye have been scattered {H6327}, and I will give {H5414} you the land {H127} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, say that Adonai ELOHIM says this: '"I will gather you from the peoples and collect you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give the land of Isra'el to you."

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’

American Standard Version

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will gather you from the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 11:17 delivers a profound divine promise of restoration to the exiled people of Israel, assuring them of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. Amidst prophecies of judgment and the departure of God's glory from Jerusalem, this verse shines as a beacon of hope, declaring that the Lord GOD Himself will actively gather His scattered people from the nations where they have been dispersed and bring them back to their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel. It underscores God's sovereign power to reverse the consequences of sin and fulfill His eternal purposes for His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 11:17 marks a pivotal shift within a broader section (chapters 8-11) that details the escalating idolatry in Jerusalem and the consequent departure of God's glory from the Temple. The preceding verses of chapter 11 pronounce severe judgment upon the corrupt leaders and inhabitants of Jerusalem, culminating in the death of Pelatiah, a wicked prince. This grim pronouncement sets the stage for the exile. However, just before verse 17, verse 16 introduces a glimmer of hope, where God promises to be "a little sanctuary" to the exiles in the lands where they have gone. Verse 17 then directly follows, expanding on this theme of divine solace and promising a comprehensive physical restoration, laying the groundwork for the more extensive restoration prophecies found later in the book, such as the vision of the dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Ezekiel ministered during the Babylonian exile, specifically to the Jewish captives who had been deported from Judah to Babylon in 597 BC, following the first siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. The people were living in a foreign land, facing despair and questioning God's faithfulness and their future. Jerusalem, their holy city, was under siege and would soon be destroyed, and the Temple, the center of their worship and national identity, was defiled. The concept of being "scattered" was a direct consequence of covenant curses for disobedience, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Dispersion Among Nations"). The promise of being "gathered" and returned to the "land of Israel" was deeply significant, touching on their national identity, their covenant inheritance (see [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - God's Covenant with Abraham")), and their theological understanding of God's faithfulness to His promises despite their failures.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Faithfulness**, emphasizing that God's plan will prevail despite human sin and exile. The declaration "Thus saith the Lord GOD" underscores His absolute authority and ability to execute His promises. Secondly, it articulates the theme of **Restoration and Re-gathering**, portraying God as the active agent who will reverse the scattering caused by judgment, bringing His people back from all corners of their dispersion. This theme is central to the hope offered to the exiles. Thirdly, the promise of returning to the "land of Israel" reinforces the enduring importance of the **Covenant Land** as part of God's eternal covenant with Abraham and his descendants. This physical return is often presented as a precursor to or accompanying **Spiritual Renewal**, as seen in subsequent promises of a new heart and spirit in [Ezekiel 11:19](/ezekiel/11-19 "Ezekiel 11:19 - A New Heart") and [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gather (Hebrew, _qâbats'_):** From H6908, meaning "to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up." This verb emphasizes God's active, intentional, and comprehensive collection of His people. It signifies a deliberate act of divine retrieval, not a passive reassembly.
* **scattered (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** From H6327, meaning "to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse); break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad." This word vividly describes the violent and destructive nature of Israel's dispersion among the nations, highlighting the severity of the judgment that led to their exile. The promise to gather them is a direct reversal of this scattering.
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** From H776, meaning "the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world." In this specific context, combined with "Israel" (H3478), it refers to the divinely promised and covenanted territory of Israel, underscoring the geographical and theological significance of the restoration. It is not merely any land, but their ancestral inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase establishes the divine authority and certainty of the message. It is a direct oracle from God Himself, conveyed through the prophet Ezekiel, emphasizing that the following promise is not a human hope but a sovereign decree. The title "Lord GOD" (Adonai YHWH) highlights both God's mastership and His covenant faithfulness.
* **"I will even gather you from the people,":** This is the first part of God's explicit promise of restoration. The "I will" signifies God's active and personal involvement. "Gather you from the people" refers to collecting the Israelites from among the various Gentile nations where they had been dispersed during the exile, indicating a comprehensive and global retrieval.
* **"and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered,":** This clause reiterates and reinforces the previous one, using a synonymous verb ("assemble") to emphasize the thoroughness of God's re-gathering. The phrase "out of the countries where ye have been scattered" directly addresses the exiles' current reality, promising an end to their dispersion and a reversal of their judgment.
* **"and I will give you the land of Israel.":** This final clause states the ultimate destination and purpose of the gathering: return to their homeland. The "land of Israel" is not merely a geographical location but the covenanted inheritance, central to Israel's identity and future. God's act of "giving" it back underscores His faithfulness to His ancient promises despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 11:17 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine promise. The verse begins with a **Divine Oracle Formula** ("Thus saith the Lord GOD"), which immediately establishes the absolute authority and certainty of the prophecy, marking it as a direct communication from the Almighty. This formula is a common prophetic convention, ensuring the audience understands the divine origin of the words. The use of **Repetition and Parallelism** is evident in the phrases "gather you from the people" and "assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered." These parallel expressions, employing synonymous verbs ("gather," "assemble") and concepts ("people," "countries where ye have been scattered"), intensify the promise, emphasizing the comprehensive and thorough nature of God's re-gathering act. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Prophecy of Restoration**, offering a stark contrast to the preceding pronouncements of judgment. It serves as a beacon of **Hope**, demonstrating God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant despite His people's disobedience, transforming a narrative of despair into one of future promise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 11:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign power to fulfill His covenant promises, even in the face of human failure and severe judgment. It underscores the biblical truth that God's plans for His people are ultimately irreversible and that His mercy triumphs over judgment. This promise of physical re-gathering and return to the land is deeply intertwined with the broader theme of spiritual restoration and renewal, which is further developed in Ezekiel. It teaches that God is not only capable of bringing His people out of physical exile but also of transforming their hearts and restoring their relationship with Him. This divine initiative to gather and restore speaks to God's enduring love and His commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that their scattering was a temporary discipline, not a final abandonment.

* [Deuteronomy 30:3-5](/deuteronomy/30-3 "Deuteronomy 30:3-5 - Return from Exile")
* [Jeremiah 32:37](/jeremiah/32-37 "Jeremiah 32:37 - God Gathers Israel")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 11:17 offers profound comfort and enduring hope to believers across all generations. It reminds us that even when we experience the consequences of our own sin, or when circumstances lead us into periods of spiritual or emotional "exile," God's faithfulness remains steadfast. Just as He promised to gather and restore His ancient people from their physical dispersion, He actively works to bring individuals and communities back into right relationship with Him, healing brokenness and renewing hope. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign ability to reverse seemingly insurmountable situations, whether in our personal lives, in the life of the church, or in the broader world. It assures us that God's ultimate plan for His people will prevail, culminating in a future where all things are made new and His presence is fully realized. We are called to live in hope, knowing that the God who gathers the scattered and restores the lost is continually at work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I feel "scattered" or in "exile," and how can I trust God to gather and restore me in those areas?**
* **How does God's unwavering faithfulness to ancient Israel encourage my faith in His promises for my own life and for the church today?**
* **What practical steps can I take to participate in God's work of gathering and restoring others who are lost or hurting?**

### FAQ
**How does this promise of physical return relate to spiritual restoration in Ezekiel's prophecy?**

Answer: In Ezekiel's prophecy, the promise of physical return to the land of Israel is inextricably linked with spiritual restoration. While Ezekiel 11:17 focuses on the geographical re-gathering, subsequent verses and chapters reveal that this physical return is a prerequisite or accompaniment to a profound spiritual transformation. For example, [Ezekiel 11:19](/ezekiel/11-19 "Ezekiel 11:19 - A New Heart") and [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Spirit") explicitly promise a "new heart" and a "new spirit," where God will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, enabling them to obey His statutes. Thus, the physical return is not merely a change of location but a divinely initiated process leading to a renewed covenant relationship, true worship, and obedience, signifying a holistic restoration of God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 11:17, while a specific promise to ancient Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant community. The physical gathering of Israel from the nations foreshadows the spiritual gathering of God's people—both Jew and Gentile—into the one body of Christ. Jesus himself declares, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Draws All People")). Through His atoning work on the cross, Christ gathers those who were scattered by sin, bringing them into a spiritual "land" of peace, righteousness, and the presence of God. The promise of "I will give you the land of Israel" is transformed from a mere geographical return to the inheritance of the new creation, where believers dwell with God eternally. The "land" becomes the spiritual kingdom of God, inaugurated by Christ and consummated in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heavens and New Earth")), where God's people, gathered from every tribe and nation ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - Multitude from Every Nation")), dwell in His presence forever, receiving the full blessings of the covenant through the ultimate "seed" of Abraham, Jesus Christ ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 28:25

Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.

Ezekiel 34:13

And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.

Jeremiah 3:18

In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

Ezekiel 36:24

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

Jeremiah 24:5

Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good.

Isaiah 11:11

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

Isaiah 11:16

And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.