Ezekiel 36:10

And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, [even] all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:

And I will multiply {H7235} men {H120} upon you, all the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, even all of it: and the cities {H5892} shall be inhabited {H3427}, and the wastes {H2723} shall be builded {H1129}:

and I will multiply your population, all the house of Isra'el, all of it. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.

I will multiply the people upon youโ€”the house of Israel in its entirety. The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.

and I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited, and the waste places shall be builded;

Commentary

Ezekiel 36:10 is a powerful verse of divine promise and restoration, situated within a broader prophecy of God's future work in Israel. It speaks to a dramatic reversal of fortunes, from desolation to flourishing.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel ministered during a dark period in Israel's history โ€“ the Babylonian exile (6th century BC). Much of his earlier prophecy details God's judgment against Israel and surrounding nations due to their idolatry and sin, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land. Chapters leading up to Ezekiel 36 emphasize this judgment and the resulting barrenness, as seen in Ezekiel 33:28. However, Ezekiel 36 marks a significant shift, moving from judgment to an extensive prophecy of restoration. God declares His intention to act, not because of Israel's merit, but for the sake of His holy name, promising to bring His people back to their land and renew it both physically and spiritually. This verse specifically addresses the physical repopulation and rebuilding of the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Reversal: The repeated phrase "I will" underscores God's sovereign initiative in bringing about this profound change. What was once desolate and empty will be abundantly filled and rebuilt, signifying a complete reversal of the nation's fortunes.
  • Repopulation and Reconstruction: The promise to "multiply men" and for "cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded" directly addresses the physical devastation caused by the exile. It speaks of a literal return of the people and the rebuilding of their infrastructure, bringing life back to the ruins.
  • National Renewal: The phrase "all the house of Israel, even all of it" emphasizes that this restoration is comprehensive, encompassing the entire scattered nation. It highlights God's commitment to gather His people from all places and restore their collective identity and presence in the land. This promise echoes similar prophecies of return found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 29:14.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "multiply" here is rabah (ืจึธื‘ึธื”), which conveys the idea of becoming numerous, increasing, or being abundant. This signifies a flourishing of life and population, a stark contrast to the previous state of depletion. The phrase "wastes shall be builded" uses the verb banah (ื‘ึธึผื ึธื”), meaning to build, rebuild, or establish, directly illustrating the transformation from ruin to renewal and habitation.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:10 offers profound hope and insight for believers today:

  • Hope in Desolation: This verse reminds us that even in the most desolate or ruined circumstances โ€“ whether personal, communal, or spiritual โ€“ God possesses the power to restore, rebuild, and bring forth new life. His ability to transform "wastes" into inhabited places offers a powerful message of hope for seemingly impossible situations.
  • God's Faithfulness: It is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite Israel's failures, God's commitment to His name and His people drives His restorative work. This divine initiative is further elaborated in the promise of giving a new heart and spirit to His people.
  • Divine Initiative: The emphasis on "I will" highlights that ultimate restoration comes from God's sovereign plan and power. While human participation is often involved, the primary moving force is divine, encouraging reliance on His strength and timing.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 36:33

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause [you] to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

  • Jeremiah 33:12

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Again in this place, which is desolate without man and without beast, and in all the cities thereof, shall be an habitation of shepherds causing [their] flocks to lie down.

  • Jeremiah 31:27

    ยถ Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.

  • Jeremiah 31:28

    And it shall come to pass, [that] like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 30:19

    And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

  • Ezekiel 36:37

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet [for] this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do [it] for them; I will increase them with men like a flock.

  • Isaiah 27:6

    He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.