Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
Nevertheless mine eye {H5869} spared {H2347} them from destroying {H7843} them, neither did I make {H6213} an end {H3617} of them in the wilderness {H4057}.
However, I spared them from complete destruction; I did not completely finish them off in the desert.
Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.
Nevertheless mine eye spared them, and I destroyed them not, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.
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Ezekiel 11:13
And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel? -
Jeremiah 5:18
Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you. -
Jeremiah 4:27
For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end. -
Ezekiel 8:18
Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them. -
Psalms 78:37
For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. -
Psalms 78:38
But he, [being] full of compassion, forgave [their] iniquity, and destroyed [them] not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. -
1 Samuel 24:10
Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade [me] kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD'S anointed.
Context
Ezekiel 20:17 is part of a powerful historical recap where God, through the prophet Ezekiel, confronts the elders of Israel concerning their long history of rebellion and idolatry. This particular verse specifically highlights God's profound mercy and forbearance toward the generation that wandered in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. The chapter recounts Israel's persistent disobedience from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land, setting the stage for their eventual exile to Babylon.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The KJV phrase "mine eye spared them" is a direct translation of the Hebrew, where "spared" (ḥāsal) conveys a sense of pity, compassion, or the act of withholding judgment. Similarly, "make an end of them" comes from the Hebrew kālāh, meaning to complete, consume, or bring to an utter finish. These terms emphasize the deliberate and active choice of God to restrain His wrath and preserve His people, preventing total annihilation.
Cross-References & Significance
Despite their repeated provocations, such as the worship of the golden calf (Exodus 32) and constant grumbling for food and water (Numbers 11), God chose not to utterly destroy them. This contrasts with the severe judgments for their disobedience, like the decree that the entire rebellious generation would die in the wilderness rather than enter the Promised Land. The verse serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness even when His people were faithless, a theme echoed in other passages such as Nehemiah 9:19-21, which recounts God's continuous provision for Israel in the wilderness.
Practical Application
For believers today, Ezekiel 20:17 is a profound reminder of God's enduring patience and grace. It assures us that even in our failures and shortcomings, God's mercies are new every morning, and His desire is for our repentance and restoration, not our complete destruction. It encourages us to reflect on His goodness and respond with renewed obedience and trust, recognizing that His character of mercy remains constant, even when we are undeserving. This verse offers hope and a call to humility, acknowledging God's sovereign hand in preserving His people through all generations.