Ezekiel 36:36

KJV

Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined [places, and] plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken [it], and I will do [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the heathen {H1471} that are left {H7604} round about {H5439} you shall know {H3045} that I the LORD {H3068} build {H1129} the ruined {H2040} places, and plant {H5193} that that was desolate {H8074}: I the LORD {H3068} have spoken {H1696} it, and I will do {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, ADONAI, have rebuilt the ruins and replanted what was abandoned. I, ADONAI, have spoken; and I will do it.'

Berean Standard Bible

Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt what was destroyed, and I have replanted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it.

American Standard Version

Then the nations that are left round about you shall know that I, Jehovah, have builded the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate: I, Jehovah, have spoken it, and I will do it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:36 stands as a climactic declaration within a broader prophecy of Israel's restoration, affirming God's unwavering commitment to rebuild and renew His desolate land and people. This verse powerfully asserts that the surrounding nations, who witnessed Israel's ruin, will now witness the Lord's redemptive work, thereby acknowledging His unique power and faithfulness. It underscores divine omnipotence and reliability, proclaiming that what God has spoken, He will assuredly bring to pass, demonstrating His sovereignty to all.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:36 concludes a profound prophetic discourse in Ezekiel 36 that focuses on the spiritual and physical restoration of Israel. Preceding this verse, God promises to cleanse His people from their impurities, give them a new heart and spirit, and enable them to obey His statutes ([Ezekiel 36:25-27](/ezekiel/36-25 "Ezekiel 36:25-27 - God's Promise of a New Heart")). He then details the physical restoration of the land, making it fruitful and populous again ([Ezekiel 36:28-35](/ezekiel/36-28 "Ezekiel 36:28-35 - The Land Restored")). Verse 36 serves as the divine seal on these promises, emphasizing that this restoration is not merely a natural recovery but an undeniable act of the Lord, intended to be recognized by the surrounding nations. It sets the stage for the vision of the dry bones in [Ezekiel 37](/ezekiel/37 "Ezekiel 37 - The Valley of Dry Bones"), which further illustrates the spiritual resurrection of the nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 36 was delivered to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, a people who had suffered the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of their homeland due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to the Mosaic covenant. The "heathen" or surrounding nations (e.g., Edom, Ammon, Philistia) had often mocked Israel and their God, interpreting Israel's defeat and exile as a sign of their God's weakness or inability to protect His people. In this cultural milieu, the restoration of Israel's land and fortunes would serve as a powerful counter-testimony, vindicating the name of Yahweh before those who had scorned Him. The promise to "build the ruined places" and "plant that that was desolate" directly addresses the visible devastation that Babylon had wrought, offering hope and a future to a dispirited people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, asserting that God alone is the ultimate agent of restoration, capable of reversing even the most profound desolation. Secondly, it underscores **God's Unwavering Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, demonstrating that despite Israel's failures, God remains committed to His word and His people, echoing principles seen in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie"). Thirdly, it emphasizes the theme of **God's Glory Revealed to the Nations**. The restoration is not solely for Israel's benefit but serves as a public demonstration of Yahweh's power and identity to the "heathen" nations, compelling them to "know that I the LORD" am the one who acts. This public vindication of God's name is a recurring motif in Ezekiel, particularly in passages like [Ezekiel 38:23](/ezekiel/38-23 "Ezekiel 38:23 - God's Glory Revealed to All Nations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heathen (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This term (H1471) refers to foreign nations, often used in contrast to Israel as God's chosen people. In this context, it specifically denotes the surrounding Gentile nations who observed Israel's downfall and would now witness their miraculous restoration. Their recognition of God's work is crucial, as it vindicates His name and power before a skeptical world.
* **Build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** From the primitive root (H1129), this word means to construct, establish, or repair. Here, it signifies God's active, creative, and restorative work in bringing the ruined places of Israel back to life. It implies not just physical reconstruction but also the re-establishment of order, prosperity, and community, a divine act of re-creation.
* **Spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root (H1696) means to speak, declare, or arrange. In the context of "I the LORD have spoken it," it emphasizes the authoritative and performative nature of God's word. God's declarations are not mere utterances but possess inherent power to bring about what they proclaim, making the fulfillment of His promises absolutely certain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know":** This clause highlights the intended audience and outcome of God's restorative work. The nations who witnessed Israel's desolation and perhaps mocked their God will now be compelled to acknowledge the true identity and power of Yahweh. The verb "know" (yâdaʻ, H3045) implies a deep, experiential understanding, not merely intellectual assent.
* **"that I the LORD build the ruined [places, and] plant that that was desolate":** This is the core declaration of God's action. Using the divine covenant name "I the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), God asserts His personal agency in reversing the devastation. The parallelism between "build the ruined" (hâraç, H2040 - to pull down/ruin) and "plant that that was desolate" (shâmêm, H8074 - to devastate/make waste; nâṭaʻ, H5193 - to plant) vividly illustrates the complete reversal of fortune, from destruction to flourishing life, all by His hand.
* **"I the LORD have spoken [it], and I will do [it].":** This concluding affirmation serves as a powerful divine oath. It reiterates God's covenant name and underscores the absolute certainty and reliability of His word. The past tense "have spoken" (dâbar, H1696) signifies the established decree, while the future tense "will do" (ʻâsâh, H6213) guarantees its inevitable fulfillment. This phrase leaves no room for doubt regarding the execution of God's promises.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:36 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Divine Oracle**, signaled by the repeated use of "I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it." This formulaic declaration emphasizes the direct, authoritative, and performative nature of God's word, leaving no doubt about the source or certainty of the prophecy. **Contrast** is also prominent, juxtaposing "ruined places" with "build" and "desolate" with "plant." This stark opposition highlights the miraculous nature of God's restorative work, demonstrating His ability to bring life and order out of utter destruction. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a **Witness Motif**, as the "heathen that are left round about you shall know." This implies that God's actions are not hidden but are a public spectacle, designed to reveal His glory and vindicate His name before all nations. The phrase "I the LORD" functions as a **Divine Self-Attestation**, asserting God's unique identity and power as the covenant-keeping God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:36 is a profound statement on divine faithfulness and the transformative power of God's word. It teaches that God's promises are not contingent on human merit but on His unchanging character and sovereign will. Even when humanity's sin leads to utter desolation, God remains committed to His redemptive plan, actively rebuilding and restoring what was lost. This restoration serves not only to bless His people but, crucially, to display His glory and power to a watching world, ensuring that His name is honored among the nations. It is a powerful reminder that God's word, once spoken, carries the full weight of His omnipotence and will inevitably come to pass, bringing life out of death and order out of chaos.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Jeremiah 32:27 - Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:36 offers profound encouragement for believers facing personal desolation or witnessing brokenness in the world. It reminds us that our God is not merely a restorer but a builder and planter, capable of bringing life and beauty to the most ruined and desolate areas of our lives and communities. Just as He promised to rebuild ancient Israel, He promises to work in our hearts, transforming our spiritual wildernesses into fruitful gardens. This verse calls us to trust in the absolute certainty of God's word, knowing that what He has spoken, He will surely do. Our own experiences of God's restorative power become a testimony to those around us, enabling others to "know that I the LORD" am at work. It challenges us to live in expectant faith, allowing God to rebuild and replant us for His glory, becoming living proof of His faithfulness to a world that desperately needs to see His transformative hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life do you see "ruined places" or "desolate" areas that need God's rebuilding and planting?**
* **How does the declaration "I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it" strengthen your faith in God's promises for your life?**
* **In what ways can your personal experience of God's restoration become a testimony to those around you, helping them to "know that I the LORD" am real and active?**

### FAQ

**What does "the heathen that are left round about you shall know" mean?**

Answer: This phrase means that the Gentile nations surrounding Israel, who had witnessed Israel's destruction and exile, would now observe God's miraculous restoration of His people and land. This observation would lead them to an experiential understanding and acknowledgment that the God of Israel, Yahweh, is indeed the true and living God, powerful enough to fulfill His promises and reverse even the most dire circumstances. It signifies the vindication of God's name and glory before the world, as seen in [Ezekiel 39:7](/ezekiel/39-7 "Ezekiel 39:7 - God's Holy Name Made Known").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:36 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of the physical restoration of Israel, the deeper theological trajectory points to the spiritual rebuilding and new creation accomplished through Christ. The "ruined places" and "desolate" hearts of humanity, ravaged by sin, are supernaturally "built" and "planted" by God through the redemptive work of Jesus. He is the divine builder of a new spiritual temple, the Church, where believers are living stones being built up into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). The promise that "I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it" is perfectly embodied in Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate demonstration of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Through His Spirit, Christ plants new life in those who were spiritually dead ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ")), transforming barren souls into fruitful gardens of righteousness. The "heathen" (Gentiles) now "know" the Lord not through a restored physical land, but through the gospel of Jesus Christ, as the good news of His kingdom is proclaimed to all nations, bringing them into the knowledge of the one true God ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Thus, the physical restoration foreshadows the greater spiritual and eternal restoration found in the person and work of Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God's spoken word.

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 37:14

And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Numbers 23:19

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Ezekiel 17:24

And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done [it].

Hosea 14:4

¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Hosea 14:9

Who [is] wise, and he shall understand these [things]? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD [are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Ezekiel 22:14

Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken [it], and will do [it].