Ezekiel 20:38

And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

And I will purge out {H1305} from among you the rebels {H4775}, and them that transgress {H6586} against me: I will bring them forth {H3318} out of the country {H776} where they sojourn {H4033}, and they shall not enter {H935} into the land {H127} of Israel {H3478}: and ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}.

I will rid you of the rebels who are in revolt against me - I will bring them out from the land where they are living, but they will not enter the land of Isra'el; then you will know that I am ADONAI.'

And I will purge you of those who rebel and transgress against Me. I will bring them out of the land in which they dwell, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

Ezekiel 20:38 presents a stern declaration from God regarding His intention to purify the nation of Israel by separating the rebellious and disobedient from those who are faithful. This verse is part of a larger prophecy detailing God's past dealings with Israel and His future judgment and restoration.

Context

This verse comes within Ezekiel chapter 20, a significant passage where the elders of Israel come to Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord. Instead of answering their inquiry directly, God recounts Israel's long history of rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the land of Canaan. Despite their persistent disobedience, God repeatedly showed mercy for the sake of His holy name. However, He also promised judgment. Verse 38 specifically speaks to a future act of judgment and purification that would occur among the exiles, differentiating between those who would be truly restored and those who would remain in rebellion and thus be excluded from the eventual return to the land of Israel. This purification is described as taking place in "the wilderness of the people" (Ezekiel 20:35), signifying a new covenant testing period similar to the Exodus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Purification and Judgment: God's commitment to cleanse His people and remove those who actively oppose His will. This is not merely punishment but a necessary act for the integrity of His covenant and His holy name.
  • Exclusion from the Land: The ultimate consequence for persistent rebellion is exclusion from the promised land, symbolizing a forfeiture of covenant blessings and fellowship with God. This highlights the seriousness of unbelief and disobedience.
  • God's Sovereignty and Identity: The recurring phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD" (Yahweh) underscores God's absolute authority, His faithfulness to His word, and His unique identity as the one true God who executes both judgment and salvation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "purge out" (bārar) implies a process of cleaning, sifting, or separating, often with the intent of refining or making pure. It suggests a deliberate and thorough action by God to remove impurities. The terms "rebels" (mōreḏîm) and "transgress against me" (pōšeʿîm bî) denote active and deliberate acts of defiance and breaking faith with God, emphasizing the willful nature of their sin.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:38 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holy character and His intolerance for persistent rebellion. While the immediate context is ancient Israel, the principle applies universally: God calls His people to obedience and promises consequences for willful disobedience. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and submission to God's will. It also foreshadows a future separation where those who truly belong to God will be distinguished from those who merely profess faith without true commitment. It encourages introspection: are we living in alignment with God's commands, or are we among the "rebels" who transgress against Him? Ultimately, it points to the necessity of a transformed heart, which is a gift of God's grace, enabling us to live according to His will and truly "know that I am the LORD."

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.

  • Amos 9:9

    For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as [corn] is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.

  • Amos 9:10

    All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.

  • Ezekiel 13:9

    And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.

  • Psalms 95:11

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

  • Zechariah 13:8

    And it shall come to pass, [that] in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off [and] die; but the third shall be left therein.

  • Zechariah 13:9

    And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

  • Ezekiel 6:7

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

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