Ezekiel 36:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; In the day {H3117} that I shall have cleansed {H2891} you from all your iniquities {H5771} I will also cause you to dwell {H3427} in the cities {H5892}, and the wastes {H2723} shall be builded {H1129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Adonai ELOHIM says, 'When the day comes for me to cleanse you from all your guilt, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the ruins to be rebuilt.

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be resettled and the ruins to be rebuilt.

American Standard Version

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be builded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:33 presents a profound declaration of Yahweh's sovereign commitment to restore His people, Israel, following a period of judgment and exile. This verse encapsulates a divine promise of comprehensive renewal, initiating with a deep spiritual purification from all iniquities, which serves as the indispensable foundation for the subsequent physical restoration of their land. It foretells a future where the desolate cities will be repopulated and the ruined "wastes" will be rebuilt, signifying a complete reversal of their fortunes and a tangible manifestation of God's renewed favor and unwavering covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:33 is strategically placed within a pivotal section of Ezekiel's prophecy, specifically chapters 36-37, often recognized as the "Restoration Prophecy" or "New Covenant Prophecy." This oracle follows extensive pronouncements of judgment against Israel and surrounding nations, delivered due to Israel's persistent idolatry and moral corruption, which culminated in the devastating Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem. Prior to this verse, God has emphatically declared His intention to act not for Israel's merit, but solely for the vindication of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations, as articulated in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Name Vindicated"). The immediate preceding verses detail God's promise to gather His scattered people from exile ([Ezekiel 36:24](/ezekiel/36-24 "Ezekiel 36:24 - Gathering from Exile")), to sprinkle clean water on them to cleanse them from all their defilements and idols ([Ezekiel 36:25](/ezekiel/36-25 "Ezekiel 36:25 - Cleansing and Purification")), and, most crucially, to impart a new heart and a new spirit, enabling them to obey His statutes ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Verse 33 directly links this profound spiritual transformation to the subsequent physical rebuilding, presenting the latter as a direct, visible, and inevitable outcome of the former. This divinely ordained sequence underscores that true national restoration must be deeply rooted in spiritual renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel was delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the 6th century BCE, a period marked by profound national trauma, despair, and a pervasive sense of abandonment. Jerusalem, the spiritual and political heart of the nation, lay in ruins, the Temple was destroyed, and the people were scattered across a foreign land, seemingly cut off from their God and their heritage. The land of Judah, once vibrant and fertile, had become a desolate wasteland, its once-thriving cities sacked and left uninhabited. In this context of utter devastation, the promise of dwelling in cities and rebuilding wastes would have resonated with immense power, addressing the exiles' deepest longings for home, security, and restoration. Culturally, a nation's prosperity, security, and divine favor were intrinsically linked to the flourishing of its land and its cities. Desolation was the undeniable sign of divine judgment and covenant curse, while rebuilding and repopulation unequivocally signaled divine favor and covenant blessing. The Babylonian exile was understood as the direct consequence of Israel's persistent breach of the Mosaic Covenant, particularly their widespread idolatry and social injustice. Therefore, God's promise to cleanse them from iniquities directly addresses the spiritual root cause of their suffering and exile, setting the stage for a renewed relationship and a restored homeland.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, powerfully highlighted by the repeated "I will" statements (implied in "I shall have cleansed" and explicit in "I will also cause"), emphasizing that this comprehensive restoration is entirely God's work, not earned by human merit or effort. It underscores the theme of **Spiritual Cleansing and New Covenant**, where God promises an inner transformation—a new heart and spirit—that enables His people to walk in obedience, a concept further developed in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit") and echoed in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"). The verse also strongly features **Physical Restoration and Renewal of the Land**, promising the rebuilding of desolate cities and wastes, which serves as a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's profound unfaithfulness. This physical rebuilding is presented as a direct consequence and visible proof of the prior spiritual cleansing. Finally, the prophecy speaks to **God's Zeal for His Holy Name**, as the ultimate motivation for His redemptive actions is to vindicate His character and holiness among the nations, as stated in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22-23 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Name Vindicated").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cleansed (Hebrew, _ṭâhêr'_):** From H2891, a primitive root meaning "to be bright," and by implication, "to be pure." This word signifies not merely a superficial washing but a deep, thorough purification, making something ritually, physically, and morally clean. In this context, it refers to God's sovereign act of removing the stain of Israel's "iniquities" (H5771, _ʻâvôn_), which encompasses perversity, moral evil, and sin. It implies a complete purging of the defilement that led to their exile, restoring them to a state of holiness before God.
* **wastes (Hebrew, _chorbâh'_):** From H2723, a feminine noun derived from a root meaning "drought." It denotes a desolation, a decayed place, or a ruined area. This term vividly describes the physical state of Judah after the Babylonian invasions, where cities were razed and the land lay barren and uninhabited. It represents the profound destruction and abandonment that befell the nation as a consequence of divine judgment.
* **builded (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From H1129, a primitive root meaning "to build" (literally and figuratively). This verb signifies construction, reconstruction, and establishing. In contrast to "wastes," "builded" powerfully conveys the idea of restoration, renewal, and the re-establishment of flourishing communities. It speaks to God's transformative power to bring order out of chaos, life out of ruin, and prosperity out of desolation, reversing the effects of judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the Lord GOD;":** This opening phrase is a powerful prophetic formula, emphasizing the divine origin and absolute authority of the message. It asserts that the following declaration is not a human conjecture or wishful thinking, but a direct, infallible word from Yahweh (H3069, _Yᵉhôvih_), the sovereign God of Israel (H136, _ʼĂdônây_). This phrase instills certainty and underscores that the ensuing promises are guaranteed by the character and power of God Himself.
* **"In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities":** This clause establishes the prerequisite and divine timing for the subsequent physical restoration. The "day" (H3117, _yôwm_) refers to a specific, divinely appointed time when God Himself will undertake the radical spiritual purification of His people. The cleansing (H2891, _ṭâhêr_) is comprehensive ("from all your iniquities" - H5771, _ʻâvôn_), addressing the totality of their sin and rebellion that led to their judgment and exile. This divine act of purification is portrayed as foundational, indicating that spiritual renewal must precede and enable true physical and national restoration.
* **"I will also cause [you] to dwell in the cities,":** As a direct and certain consequence of the spiritual cleansing, God promises to bring His people back to their land and enable them to inhabit their urban centers (H5892, _ʻîyr_) once more. This signifies the end of their nomadic existence as exiles and their re-establishment as a settled, secure nation (H3427, _yâshab_). "Cities" implies organized community life, stability, security, and a return to normalcy and prosperity, reversing the desolation of the land.
* **"and the wastes shall be builded.":** This final clause complements the previous one, explicitly stating that the desolate, ruined areas (H2723, _chorbâh_) of the land will be reconstructed. The passive voice ("shall be builded" - H1129, _bânâh_) subtly emphasizes that this rebuilding is not merely a human effort but is enabled and ultimately orchestrated by God's power. It signifies a complete reversal of the devastation, transforming barrenness into flourishing habitation, and symbolizing the full restoration of the land and its people, making it once again a place of life and blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:33 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of profound hope and comprehensive restoration. The most prominent is **Divine Fiat/Declaration**, powerfully signaled by the opening prophetic formula, "Thus saith the Lord GOD." This phrase instills the prophecy with absolute authority and certainty, emphasizing that the promised restoration is not contingent on human effort but is a guaranteed act of God's sovereign will. There is a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: God's cleansing of iniquity is the direct cause, and the dwelling in cities and rebuilding of wastes is the inevitable effect. This highlights the theological principle that spiritual renewal is foundational to physical well-being and national flourishing. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** between the past state of "iniquities" and "wastes" (representing spiritual and physical ruin) and the future state of "cleansed" and "builded" (representing spiritual purity and physical restoration). This stark juxtaposition underscores the radical transformation God intends to bring about. Furthermore, the **Repetition of "I will"** (implied in "I shall have cleansed" and explicit in "I will also cause") serves as a powerful rhetorical device emphasizing God's personal, active, and unwavering commitment to fulfilling these promises. The "wastes" can also be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not only the physical desolation of the land but also the spiritual and moral ruin of the people, making their rebuilding a symbol of holistic restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:33 articulates a profound theological truth: God's redemptive work prioritizes spiritual transformation as the prerequisite for outward, tangible blessing. The cleansing from iniquity is not merely a legal declaration but an internal purification that makes genuine, lasting restoration possible. This sequence reflects God's character as both holy and just, unable to dwell fully with an unholy people, yet also merciful and gracious, actively initiating the process of making them clean. The promise of rebuilding the wastes speaks powerfully to God's power to reverse the devastating consequences of sin and judgment, bringing life, order, and beauty out of chaos and ruin. This divine initiative underscores that salvation and restoration are ultimately God's work, driven by His unwavering covenant faithfulness and His fervent desire to glorify His name before the nations. It sets the stage for a new era of relationship between God and His people, where a renewed heart leads to a renewed land and a flourishing community.

* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Cleansing")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")
* [Isaiah 61:4](/isaiah/61-4 "Isaiah 61:4 - Rebuilding Ancient Ruins")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:33 offers profound hope and practical guidance for believers today, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to restoration in all its forms. Just as God promised to cleanse and rebuild ancient Israel, He continues to work in our lives, addressing both our inner spiritual condition and our outward circumstances. This verse reminds us that true and lasting restoration begins with God's gracious work of cleansing us from our sins. We cannot genuinely rebuild our lives, relationships, or circumstances without first allowing God to purify our hearts and minds from the defilement of sin and self-reliance. If our lives feel like "wastes"—whether due to past failures, broken relationships, spiritual dryness, unfulfilled dreams, or difficult trials—this prophecy assures us that God is supremely able to bring beauty from ashes and new life where there was only ruin. Our essential role is to acknowledge our deep need for His cleansing grace and to trust in His sovereign power to transform our desolate places into flourishing habitations, both spiritually and physically. This promise invites us to abandon despair and embrace the hope of God's transformative work in every area of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you sense a profound need for God's cleansing and purification from "iniquities" or the lingering effects of past failures?**
* **What "wastes" or desolate areas in your personal life, relationships, or circumstances are you actively inviting God to "build" and restore, trusting in His divine initiative?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereign initiative in cleansing and rebuilding impact your approach to personal growth, overcoming challenges, and seeking spiritual renewal?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to trust God with the seemingly impossible task of restoring what feels utterly broken or beyond repair in your life?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of God cleansing Israel *before* their physical restoration?**

Answer: The sequence of cleansing before physical restoration in Ezekiel 36:33 is profoundly significant because it highlights that spiritual purity is foundational to true and lasting blessing. Israel's exile and the desolation of their land were direct consequences of their iniquities and covenant unfaithfulness. Therefore, for any physical return or rebuilding to be meaningful and sustained, the root cause—sin—had to be addressed. God's cleansing signifies a renewal of the covenant relationship, where a people made holy can truly dwell in a holy land under God's favor. It teaches that outward prosperity without inner transformation is ultimately unsustainable, emphasizing God's priority on a right relationship with His people, which then enables all other blessings. This divine initiative underscores that restoration is not earned but is a gracious act of God, making His people fit for His presence and blessings. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that righteousness precedes true flourishing, as seen in passages like [Psalm 1:1-3](/psalm/1-1-3 "Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessed Man").

**How does this prophecy relate to the historical return from Babylonian exile?**

Answer: While Ezekiel 36:33 certainly finds a partial and initial fulfillment in the historical return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon under leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and the subsequent rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Second Temple, it also points to something far greater. The post-exilic community did return and rebuild, but they did not experience the full, comprehensive spiritual transformation and complete national restoration envisioned in Ezekiel's prophecy, particularly the giving of a "new heart" and "new spirit" to all people ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")). The spiritual struggles and moral failures continued, as evidenced in later prophetic books and the intertestamental period. Therefore, the historical return serves as a tangible, but incomplete, foreshadowing of the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy, which points beyond the immediate historical context to a future, more perfect spiritual and physical restoration.

**Does this prophecy have a future, eschatological fulfillment?**

Answer: Yes, biblical scholars widely agree that Ezekiel 36:33, along with the broader prophecy in Ezekiel 36-37, has a future, eschatological fulfillment that extends beyond the historical return from Babylonian exile. The comprehensive nature of the spiritual cleansing ("from all your iniquities") and the promise of a new heart and spirit for all the people suggest a transformation far more profound than what occurred in the post-exilic period. Many interpret this prophecy as pointing towards the ultimate spiritual renewal of Israel in the end times, often linked to their national repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Messiah. Furthermore, the complete and permanent rebuilding of the "wastes" and dwelling in the cities can be seen as pointing to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, whether in a millennial reign or ultimately in the new heavens and new earth, where righteousness dwells and all things are made new ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - The New Heavens and New Earth")). This eschatological hope assures believers of a final, perfect dwelling place with God, free from all sin and desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:33 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of God's cleansing and rebuilding work. The "day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities" points directly to the atoning work of Christ on the cross. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus became the ultimate means by which God cleanses humanity from the stain of sin, offering a purification far deeper and more complete than any ritual or Old Testament sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). His shed blood inaugurates the New Covenant foretold by Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where God's law is written on hearts, and sins are remembered no more, as promised in [Jeremiah 31:33-34](/jeremiah/31-33-34 "Jeremiah 31:33-34 - The New Covenant") and echoed in [Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10-12 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")). Furthermore, the promise that "the wastes shall be builded" is fulfilled spiritually in the Church, the new temple of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of Christ")). Through Christ, individuals are spiritually renewed, their "wasted" lives transformed into dwelling places for the Holy Spirit, becoming living stones in God's spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). Ultimately, this prophecy anticipates the eschatological reality of the New Heavens and New Earth, where God's people will dwell in the New Jerusalem, a city perfectly "builded" by God, where there will be no more desolation, and God will dwell with His perfectly cleansed people forever ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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:

Isaiah 58:12

And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Jeremiah 33:10

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say [shall be] desolate without man and without beast, [even] in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, that are desolate, without man, and without inhabitant, and without beast,

Zechariah 8:7

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country;

Zechariah 8:8

And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Jeremiah 50:19

And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

Jeremiah 50:20

In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.