Ezekiel 20:6

In the day [that] I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which [is] the glory of all lands:

In the day {H3117} that I lifted up {H5375} mine hand {H3027} unto them, to bring them forth {H3318} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} into a land {H776} that I had espied {H8446} for them, flowing {H2100} with milk {H2461} and honey {H1706}, which is the glory {H6643} of all lands {H776}:

On the day I raised my hand to them, pledging to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had reconnoitered for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands,

On that day I swore to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.

in that day I sware unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.

Ezekiel 20:6 from the King James Version (KJV) is part of a powerful historical recap by God to the elders of Israel through the prophet Ezekiel. It vividly recalls God's foundational promise and action in delivering His people from Egyptian bondage.

Context

This verse is found within Ezekiel chapter 20, where God recounts Israel's long history of rebellion, beginning from their time in Egypt. Despite their stubbornness, God emphasizes His unwavering faithfulness and the covenant He made with them. Verse 6 specifically points back to the pivotal moment of the deliverance from Egypt, setting the stage for the blessings and responsibilities that came with their new freedom and destination.

Key Themes

  • God's Initiative and Oath: The phrase "I lifted up mine hand unto them" signifies a solemn oath or covenant sworn by God Himself. It underscores that the deliverance and the gift of the land were not earned by Israel but were a result of God's gracious and powerful initiative. This divine promise is a cornerstone of Israel's national identity.
  • The Promised Land's Excellence: The description "a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands" paints a picture of unparalleled abundance and beauty. God personally scouted and prepared this land, highlighting its divine selection and supreme value. The phrase "flowing with milk and honey" is a classic biblical idiom for prosperity and blessing, first used in Exodus 3:8, symbolizing a land rich in natural resources and fertility.
  • God's Faithfulness vs. Israel's Unfaithfulness: This verse, in the broader context of Ezekiel 20, serves as a stark reminder of God's perfect commitment to His promises, contrasting sharply with Israel's consistent failure to uphold their end of the covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "lifted up mine hand" is a direct translation of the Hebrew idiom, signifying a solemn oath or vow, often accompanied by raising one's hand to heaven as a sign of invoking divine witness. The term "espied" (from Hebrew tûr) means to spy out, explore, or search, emphasizing that God Himself had thoroughly surveyed and chosen this land for His people, making it a perfect inheritance. The "glory of all lands" (Hebrew tzebi mikol-ha'aratzot) implies its splendor, beauty, and desirability, not just in terms of natural resources but also as a place chosen and blessed by God.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:6 reminds us of God's unchanging character: He is a God who makes solemn promises and faithfully fulfills them. Just as He acted decisively to bring Israel out of bondage into a land of blessing, He continues to work in the lives of believers today. This verse encourages us to trust in God's divine plan and provisions, even when our circumstances seem bleak. It highlights that our blessings often stem from God's gracious initiative, not our merit, and calls us to a deeper appreciation for His faithfulness and the spiritual "promised land" He has prepared for those who follow Him, ultimately culminating in the new heaven and new earth.

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 20:15

    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;

  • Jeremiah 32:22

    And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;

  • Psalms 48:2

    Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

  • Exodus 3:8

    And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

  • Daniel 8:9

    And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land].

  • Exodus 33:3

    Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou [art] a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.

  • Zechariah 7:14

    But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

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