Ezekiel 12:15

And they shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.

And they shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I shall scatter {H6327} them among the nations {H1471}, and disperse {H2219} them in the countries {H776}.

They will know that I am ADONAI when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the countries.

And they will know that I am the LORD, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries.

And they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall disperse them among the nations, and scatter them through the countries.

Ezekiel 12:15 is a potent declaration from God concerning the fate of the rebellious house of Israel, specifically focusing on the consequences of their disobedience and the revelatory purpose behind divine judgment. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history.

Context of Ezekiel 12:15

The prophet Ezekiel was called by God while in exile in Babylon, tasked with delivering messages of judgment and future hope to the exiled Israelites and those remaining in Jerusalem. Chapter 12 is particularly dramatic, featuring Ezekiel performing symbolic actions (like packing a bag and digging through a wall) to illustrate the impending siege of Jerusalem and the forced exile of its inhabitants, including King Zedekiah. Verses immediately preceding 12:15 detail Zedekiah's capture, blinding, and deportation to Babylon. This verse confirms that the scattering is not random but a deliberate act by God, intended to achieve a specific outcome: the recognition of His identity and power.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse unequivocally states that the dispersion of the Israelites is an act initiated by God ("I shall scatter them... and disperse them"). This highlights His ultimate control over the destiny of nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when it involves disciplinary action.
  • Knowledge of God (YHWH): The core purpose of the scattering is so "they shall know that I [am] the LORD." The Hebrew term for LORD here is YHWH (Yahweh), God's covenant name, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and absolute authority. This repeated phrase throughout Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel 6:7, Ezekiel 20:38) emphasizes that even through severe judgment, God's ultimate aim is to reveal His true nature and power to both His people and the surrounding nations.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The scattering is a direct result of Israel's persistent rebellion and idolatry. It aligns with the curses of dispersion prophesied in the Mosaic covenant for covenant unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "they shall know that I [am] the LORD" is a foundational motif in Ezekiel. The Hebrew verb for "know" (yada) implies not merely intellectual understanding but a deep, experiential recognition and acknowledgment. This knowledge is forged through the painful experience of exile, demonstrating God's power and justice in a way that mere words could not.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 12:15 reminds us that God is actively involved in human history, and His purposes will always prevail. Even in times of hardship, suffering, or apparent chaos, there is a divine hand at work, often to reveal God's character and lead people to a deeper understanding of Him. For believers, it's a call to trust God's sovereignty even through difficult circumstances, knowing His ultimate aim is always redemptive and revelatory. For those who do not yet acknowledge Him, it serves as a powerful reminder that God reveals Himself through His actions in the world, inviting all to come to know Him in truth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 6:7

    And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 6:14

    So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 12:16

    But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 12:20

    And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 28:26

    And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God.

  • Ezekiel 25:11

    And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 5:13

    Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

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