Ezekiel 20:15

KJV

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them], flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands;

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet also I lifted up {H5375} my hand {H3027} unto them in the wilderness {H4057}, that I would not bring {H935} them into the land {H776} which I had given {H5414} them, flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}, which is the glory {H6643} of all lands {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

Yet I also raised my hand and swore to them in the desert that I would not bring them into the land I was giving them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands;

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—

American Standard Version

Moreover also I sware unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:15 powerfully encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, revealing God's solemn oath to withhold the Promised Land from the rebellious generation liberated from Egypt. This verse underscores the severe consequences of persistent disobedience and idolatry, highlighting God's unwavering justice even as it poignantly recalls the inherent goodness, abundance, and unparalleled desirability of the land He had originally promised—a land described as "flowing with milk and honey" and "the glory of all lands." It serves as a stark and enduring reminder of forfeited blessings due to unfaithfulness to the divine covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 is a profound historical retrospective, delivered by the prophet to the elders of Israel who sought a word from the Lord during the Babylonian exile. The chapter serves as a scathing indictment of Israel's long and consistent history of rebellion against God, beginning in Egypt, continuing throughout their forty years in the wilderness, and persisting even after their settlement in Canaan. God systematically recounts how His gracious acts of deliverance and covenant establishment were met with persistent idolatry, grumbling, and disobedience at every stage of their national existence. Verse 15 specifically focuses on the wilderness generation, detailing God's righteous judgment against them for violating His statutes, profaning His Sabbaths, and rejecting His commands, which ultimately led to their exclusion from the promised inheritance. This historical recounting functions as a powerful theological argument for the justice of the Babylonian exile, demonstrating that Israel's current predicament is not arbitrary but a culmination of centuries of unfaithfulness, echoing the covenant curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Ezekiel's prophecy is the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), where the prophet, a priest himself, ministered to the exiled community. For this audience, the recounting of past judgments was not merely a historical lesson but a direct, divine explanation for their present suffering and a fervent call to repentance. The concept of "lifting up the hand" was a common and deeply significant practice in the ancient Near East for swearing an oath, signifying a solemn, binding, and irrevocable declaration, often invoking divine witness to the truth and certainty of the spoken word. The description of the land as "flowing with milk and honey" was a well-established and cherished cultural idiom in ancient Israel, signifying unparalleled fertility, abundance, and divine blessing. This imagery, first promised to Abraham and reiterated to Moses in [Exodus 3:8](/exodus/3-8 "Exodus 3:8 - The Promise of the Land"), would have profoundly resonated with the exiles, emphasizing the immense and precious loss incurred by their ancestors and, by extension, their own generation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, demonstrating that God's covenant promises, while rooted in His grace, are conditional upon obedience. Persistent rebellion against His revealed will inevitably incurs severe consequences, as seen in the wilderness generation's exclusion. Secondly, it highlights **God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Word**, even in judgment; the oath He swore was a righteous and certain fulfillment of His character and warnings, not a capricious act. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the **Significance of the Promised Land** as a tangible symbol of God's blessing, provision, and the unique covenant relationship He desired with Israel. Its description as "the glory of all lands" elevates its theological importance, making the denial of entry a profound spiritual and physical punishment. This theme of a forfeited inheritance due to sin and unbelief is a recurring motif throughout Israel's history, powerfully illustrated by the incident of the spies in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** (H5375) A primitive root meaning "to lift" or "to bear," used in a wide variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In this specific context, when combined with "hand," it forms the powerful idiom for swearing a solemn, binding oath. It conveys the weight, certainty, and irrevocable nature of God's divine declaration, emphasizing that His word is absolute and will be fulfilled.
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** (H3027) A primitive word referring to the hand, which is frequently used figuratively in Hebrew to denote power, authority, means, direction, or agency. When God "lifts up His hand," it signifies an authoritative and binding oath, an act of solemn commitment that carries the full weight of His divine power, will, and sovereign intent, making the declaration absolutely certain.
* **glory (Hebrew, _tsᵉbîy'_):** (H6643) Derived from a root meaning "prominence" or "beauty," this word signifies splendor, beauty, honor, or excellence. Describing the Promised Land as "the glory of all lands" emphasizes its exceptional beauty, fertility, and unique status as God's chosen inheritance for His people. This descriptor magnifies the profound loss and the severity of the judgment for the generation denied entry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness,"**: This clause introduces God's solemn and binding oath, made during Israel's forty-year wandering in the wilderness. The idiom "lifted up my hand" signifies an irrevocable divine promise or, as in this context, a judgment sworn under oath, underscoring the absolute certainty and finality of God's declaration against the rebellious generation.
* **"that I would not bring them into the land which I had given [them],"**: This specifies the precise content of God's oath: the denial of entry into the Promised Land for that particular generation. Despite God's initial gracious promise and gift of the land to Abraham's descendants, the persistent rebellion and unbelief of this generation led to the forfeiture of that tangible blessing for them, highlighting the conditional nature of covenant blessings based on faithfulness.
* **"flowing with milk and honey,"**: This vivid and iconic idiomatic phrase describes the unparalleled fertility, abundance, and desirability of the Promised Land. It paints a picture of a land rich in pastures (producing milk from livestock) and lush vegetation (producing honey from wild bees or dates), symbolizing divine provision, blessing, and an ideal environment for His people.
* **"which [is] the glory of all lands;"**: This final descriptor further exalts the Promised Land, declaring it to be supremely beautiful, excellent, and preeminent among all nations. It emphasizes the immense magnitude of what was lost by the disobedient generation, highlighting the preciousness and unique status of God's intended gift to His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:15 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with force and clarity. The phrase "lifted up my hand" is a powerful example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human action (lifting a hand to swear an oath) to God, thereby making His solemn oath more relatable and impactful for the human audience, while emphasizing the divine commitment and authority. The description of the land as "flowing with milk and honey" functions as both a classic **Merism** and **Hyperbole**. As a merism, it uses two abundant products (milk and honey) to represent the totality of the land's extraordinary fertility and richness. As hyperbole, it exaggerates for emphasis the ideal and superabundant nature of the land. This phrase also serves as a potent **Symbolism** for divine blessing, covenant fulfillment, and the ultimate provision of God. The concluding phrase, "the glory of all lands," is a form of **Superlative Language**, emphasizing the unparalleled excellence, beauty, and desirability of the Promised Land, which in turn heightens the tragedy and severity of its forfeiture. The entire verse, within the broader context of Ezekiel 20, serves as a powerful **Retrospection**, allowing the prophet to look back at past historical events to explain the present circumstances of the exile and to provide a solemn warning against future rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:15 powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that while God is merciful, gracious, and patient, He is also absolutely just and righteous. Persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness against His covenant commands inevitably bring severe consequences. The denial of entry into the Promised Land for the wilderness generation serves as a sobering historical precedent, demonstrating that even those who have experienced God's miraculous deliverance and provision can forfeit their tangible and spiritual inheritance through unbelief and disobedience. This divine judgment underscores the profound seriousness of sin and the necessity of obedience to God's revealed will, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a response of love, trust, and gratitude to His covenant faithfulness. It highlights that God's promises, while sure, are often accompanied by expectations of a faithful response from His people.

* [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-30 - God's Oath Regarding the Wilderness Generation")
* [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - The Wilderness Generation's Unbelief")
* [Deuteronomy 8:7-9](/deuteronomy/8-7 "Deuteronomy 8:7-9 - Description of the Promised Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:15 serves as a timeless cautionary tale, reminding us that God's promises, while rooted in His unchangeable character and faithfulness, are often accompanied by expectations of obedience and trust from His people. The wilderness generation, despite witnessing incredible divine power, provision, and miraculous deliverance from slavery, allowed fear, idolatry, and persistent grumbling to overshadow their faith, leading to the forfeiture of a tangible, glorious inheritance. For believers today, this verse challenges us to deeply examine our own hearts: Are we truly walking in faith and obedience to God's Word, or are we, like Israel of old, prone to spiritual amnesia, complaining, and rebellion against His good and perfect will? It calls us to take God's commands and warnings seriously, to learn from the historical consequences of disobedience, and to cherish the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ. This reflection should motivate us to live lives that reflect our gratitude and commitment to Him, ensuring that our daily choices align with His purposes and that we do not forfeit the rich spiritual blessings available to us through faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of God "lifting up His hand" in judgment impact your understanding of His character, balancing His justice with His mercy?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, be prone to spiritual "wilderness wanderings" or patterns of disobedience that prevent us from fully entering into God's promised spiritual blessings?**
* **What "milk and honey" blessings (spiritual growth, peace, purpose, fellowship) has God promised or provided in your life, and how can you ensure you do not forfeit them through unbelief, complacency, or disobedience?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to take God's commands, warnings, and the call to faithful obedience more seriously in your daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ

**What does "lifted up my hand" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ezekiel 20:15, the phrase "lifted up my hand" (Hebrew: *nasa' yad*) is a powerful and frequently used biblical idiom signifying the swearing of a solemn, binding oath. When God uses this phrase, it emphasizes the absolute certainty, irrevocability, and divine authority of His declaration. It's a gesture of ultimate commitment, whether in promise or, as here, in judgment, indicating that His word is final and will be fulfilled without fail. This idiom is seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as when God swears to Abraham in [Genesis 22:16](/genesis/22-16 "Genesis 22:16 - God's Oath to Abraham") that He will bless him.

**Why was the land described as "flowing with milk and honey" and "the glory of all lands"?**

Answer: The phrase "flowing with milk and honey" is a rich, ancient Near Eastern idiom used to describe a land of extraordinary fertility, abundance, and natural provision. "Milk" would come from the rich pastures supporting thriving livestock, and "honey" would refer to the produce of wild bees or, more commonly, the sweet syrup derived from dates, signifying lush vegetation and bountiful harvests. This imagery conveyed the ideal, blessed, and highly productive nature of the land God promised to Israel. Describing it as "the glory of all lands" further elevates its status, emphasizing its unique beauty, desirability, and divine favor, making it a truly exceptional and preeminent inheritance among all nations. This description underscores the profound and tragic loss experienced by the generation denied entry, highlighting the magnitude of God's intended blessing and the severity of their forfeiture.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:15, while depicting God's righteous judgment against Israel's rebellion and their forfeiture of the earthly Promised Land, ultimately points to the greater fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. The earthly Promised Land, described as "flowing with milk and honey" and "the glory of all lands," served as a type and shadow of the spiritual inheritance and eternal rest offered through Jesus. Just as the wilderness generation forfeited their physical inheritance due to unbelief and disobedience, humanity, through sin, forfeited true fellowship with God and access to His ultimate, spiritual blessings. However, Christ, the true and faithful Israelite, perfectly obeyed God where Israel failed. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He opens the way to a new and better "Promised Land"—the heavenly kingdom and eternal life. Believers are now called to enter into God's spiritual rest, not through perfect obedience to the Law, which is impossible for fallen humanity, but through faith in Christ, as powerfully articulated in [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest"). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "glory" of all lands and indeed, of all creation, and in Him, we find the ultimate abundance and provision, far surpassing any earthly "milk and honey." He offers "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Living Water")) and declares Himself the "bread of life" who satisfies eternal hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Bread of Life")). Thus, the judgment in Ezekiel 20:15 underscores the seriousness of sin, but simultaneously magnifies the boundless grace of God in Christ, who provides a way for all who believe to inherit an eternal dwelling place, a "new heaven and a new earth" ([Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and Earth")), where the glory of God truly dwells forever.

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

Psalms 95:11

Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

Psalms 106:26

Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

Hebrews 3:18

And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Numbers 14:23

Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Numbers 14:30

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

Ezekiel 20:23

I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;

Numbers 26:64

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.