Ezekiel 20:42

And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country [for] the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

And ye shall know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068}, when I shall bring {H935} you into the land {H127} of Israel {H3478}, into the country {H776} for the which I lifted up {H5375} mine hand {H3027} to give {H5414} it to your fathers {H1}.

"'You will know that I am ADONAI when I bring you into the land of Isra'el, into the country which I pledged, by raising my hand, to give to your ancestors.

Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land that I swore to give your fathers.

And ye shall know that I am Jehovah, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I sware to give unto your fathers.

Ezekiel 20:42 presents a powerful declaration from God, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises despite Israel's persistent rebellion. This verse is part of a longer prophetic discourse where the prophet Ezekiel, speaking to the exiles in Babylon, recounts Israel's sinful history and God's judgment, but also His ultimate plan for restoration.

Context

Chapter 20 of Ezekiel is a sweeping historical review of Israel's idolatry and disobedience from their time in Egypt through the wilderness and into the land of Canaan. God recounts how He repeatedly withheld full judgment for His name's sake, lest He be profaned among the nations. Despite their constant provocation, God reaffirms His intention to gather His people back to the land He promised. This verse, Ezekiel 20:42, stands as a beacon of hope, assuring the exiles that their return to the land of Israel would be a clear demonstration of His divine identity and power.

Key Themes

  • God's Unquestionable Sovereignty: The phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD" signifies that their return would be an undeniable, experiential revelation of God's true nature and absolute control. It's not just intellectual understanding but a profound recognition born out of divine action.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: The "land of Israel" is explicitly identified as "the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers." This highlights God's faithfulness to the Abrahamic covenant, an oath sworn generations prior. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remains true to His word (Numbers 23:19).
  • Divine Restoration: This verse promises a physical return from exile, signifying a spiritual restoration as well. It's a testament to God's redemptive plan, showing that His ultimate purpose for His people will prevail, even through periods of judgment. This theme is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 29:14.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "ye shall know that I am the LORD" (Hebrew: wîda'tem kî 'ănî YHWH) is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, appearing over 70 times. It emphasizes that God's actions, whether in judgment or restoration, are designed to reveal His unique identity and power to His people and to the nations. It's a deep, experiential knowledge.
  • "Lifted up mine hand" is a common biblical idiom (Hebrew: nasa' yad) signifying the swearing of a solemn oath or vow, akin to taking an oath with an uplifted hand. It underscores the unchangeable nature of God's promise.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 20:42 offers profound comfort and assurance. It reminds us that God's character is consistent: He is faithful to His promises, even when we falter. In times of uncertainty or when facing the consequences of our own mistakes, we can trust that God's ultimate plan for good will prevail. His faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection but on His own divine nature. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate circumstances to God's enduring power and His commitment to His covenant people, providing hope that He will always fulfill His word and reveal His glory.

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 38:23

    Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 36:23

    And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

  • 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 31:34

    And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

  • Ezekiel 20:44

    And ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 37:25

    And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, [even] they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David [shall be] their prince for ever.

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