Ezekiel 36:8

KJV

But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye, O mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, ye shall shoot forth {H5414} your branches {H6057}, and yield {H5375} your fruit {H6529} to my people {H5971} of Israel {H3478}; for they are at hand {H7126} to come {H935}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But you, mountains of Isra'el, you will sprout your branches and bear your fruit for my people Isra'el, who will soon return.

Berean Standard Bible

But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and bear fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home.

American Standard Version

But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people Israel; for they are at hand to come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:8 is a powerful prophetic declaration of God's imminent physical restoration of the land of Israel, serving as a prelude to the spiritual renewal of its people. Following a period of desolation and mockery by surrounding nations, this verse heralds a dramatic reversal of fortune, signifying that the land, once barren, will again flourish and be prepared for the rapid return of the exiled Israelites to their ancestral inheritance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36:8 is situated within a broader prophecy of restoration for Israel, following a series of judgments against surrounding nations, particularly Edom (chapters 33-35), who had gloated over Israel's downfall. Chapter 36 marks a significant pivot, shifting from divine judgment to divine promise. The immediate preceding verses (Ezekiel 36:1-7) depict the "mountains of Israel" as desolate and scorned, bearing the "reproach of the heathen." This verse directly contrasts that desolation, presenting God's active intervention to restore the land's fertility and productivity. This physical restoration of the land is intrinsically linked to, and sets the stage for, the profound spiritual renewal promised later in the chapter, where God pledges to give Israel a new heart and a new spirit, and to put His Spirit within them, causing them to walk in His statutes (see [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 36 was delivered during the Babylonian exile (c. 593-571 BC), a period when the land of Israel lay desolate, its cities ruined, and its people scattered. The "mountains of Israel" literally refer to the central mountainous spine of the land, which had become barren and unproductive due to the invasions and neglect. Agriculturally, the imagery of "shooting forth branches" and "yielding fruit" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, symbolizing prosperity, divine favor, and the reversal of the curses of barrenness and famine outlined in earlier covenant warnings (e.g., [Leviticus 26:32-35](/leviticus/26-32 "Leviticus 26:32-35 - Consequences of Disobedience")). The return of the exiles was not merely a political event but a theological one, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's unfaithfulness, and His determination to restore His people to their promised land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Restoration and Abundance**, showcasing God's power to transform desolation into flourishing life, both physically for the land and ultimately spiritually for the people. Secondly, it underscores **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His land and His people, even when they have broken their side of the covenant. His promises of return and renewal are not based on Israel's merit but on His own holy name, which He seeks to vindicate among the nations (as articulated in [Ezekiel 36:22-23](/ezekiel/36-22 "Ezekiel 36:22-23 - God's Vindication of His Holy Name")). Thirdly, the phrase "for they are at hand to come" emphasizes the **Imminent Return of the Exiles**, linking the physical preparation of the land directly to the repatriation of God's chosen people, a promise echoed in other prophetic books like [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **mountains (Hebrew, _har'_):** Refers to a mountain or range of hills, often used figuratively. In this context, "mountains of Israel" personifies the entire land, emphasizing that the very topography which had witnessed and endured desolation would now experience and display God's blessing and fertility. It's not just the people but the physical land itself that is the object of God's restorative work.
* **shoot forth (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** A primitive root meaning "to give," used with great latitude of application, including "to put," "make," and in this specific context, "shoot forth" or "yield." Here, it signifies the active process of growth and production, indicating that the land will spontaneously and abundantly produce new life and vegetation, a direct reversal of its former barrenness.
* **fruit (Hebrew, _pᵉrîy'_):** Refers to literal fruit or produce, but also figuratively to offspring or reward. In the agricultural imagery of this verse, it speaks to the tangible outcome of the land's renewed fertility—the harvest that will sustain and bless the returning people. It represents prosperity, abundance, and the fulfillment of divine blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye, O mountains of Israel":** This clause marks a dramatic shift in tone from the preceding verses, which described the desolation of the land. The direct address to the mountains personifies the land itself, making it an active participant in God's restorative plan and highlighting its central role in the covenant.
* **"ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit":** This vivid imagery describes the transformation of the desolate land into a fertile and productive one. "Shooting forth branches" speaks of renewed life and growth, while "yielding fruit" signifies a bountiful harvest, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. This is a direct reversal of the curse of barrenness that had afflicted the land due to Israel's sin.
* **"to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come":** This final clause reveals the purpose and urgency of the land's restoration. The fruit is specifically for "my people of Israel," emphasizing God's enduring covenant relationship with them. The phrase "they are at hand to come" signifies the imminent return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, indicating that the land is being prepared for their arrival and resettlement, underscoring the divine orchestration of their repatriation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:8 is rich with **Personification**, as the "mountains of Israel" are addressed directly as if they are sentient beings capable of "shooting forth branches" and "yielding fruit." This imbues the land with a vibrant, active role in God's redemptive plan, making the desolate landscape a recipient and displayer of divine blessing. The verse also employs powerful **Agricultural Imagery**, using terms like "branches" and "fruit" to symbolize prosperity, vitality, and the reversal of barrenness. This imagery would have been deeply resonant with an ancient agrarian society, conveying God's promise of physical sustenance and flourishing. Furthermore, the abrupt "But ye" creates a strong **Contrast** with the previous descriptions of desolation, emphasizing the dramatic and immediate nature of God's intervention and the certainty of His promised restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:8 is a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and His sovereign power to restore. It reveals that God's actions are ultimately for the vindication of His holy name among the nations, demonstrating that He keeps His promises despite human failure. The physical restoration of the land serves as a tangible sign of God's covenant loyalty, preparing the way for the deeper spiritual transformation of His people. This divine initiative underscores the truth that salvation and restoration originate solely from God's gracious will, not from human merit. The land's readiness for the people's return signifies a divine orchestration of history, where God prepares the circumstances for the fulfillment of His prophetic word.

* [Deuteronomy 30:3-5](/deuteronomy/30-3 "Deuteronomy 30:3-5 - Promise of Return and Restoration")
* [Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Wilderness Blooms")
* [Amos 9:13-15](/amos/9-13-15 "Amos 9:13-15 - Restoration and Abundance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:8 offers immense hope and a profound lesson on God's restorative power. For the exiled Israelites, it was a lifeline, assuring them that their suffering was not the end and that God would indeed bring them back to their homeland and make it fruitful again. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is capable of bringing life and fruitfulness to the most barren and desolate situations, whether in our personal lives, our families, our communities, or even in seemingly hopeless global circumstances. It teaches us to look beyond immediate appearances of desolation and to trust in God's sovereign plan and His unwavering commitment to His promises. This passage encourages us to cultivate patience and faith, knowing that God is actively working to prepare the way for His purposes to be fulfilled, often in ways that defy human expectation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life do you see "mountains of desolation" that need God's restorative touch?**
* **How does the promise of the land "shooting forth branches and yielding fruit" encourage you about God's ability to bring life out of barrenness?**
* **What does "they are at hand to come" suggest about God's timing and preparation for His people? How might this apply to spiritual waiting periods in your life?**

### FAQ
**What does "mountains of Israel" signify in this context?**

Answer: The "mountains of Israel" refer to the literal geographical region of the land of Israel, particularly its central highlands. However, in prophetic literature like Ezekiel, it often serves as a metonymy for the entire land and its people. In [Ezekiel 36:8](/ezekiel/36-8 "Ezekiel 36:8 - God's Promise to the Mountains of Israel"), God is addressing the very topography that had witnessed and endured the desolation of exile, promising that it, too, would be restored to fertility and productivity, thus becoming a vibrant home for the returning exiles.

**How does this verse relate to the return from Babylonian captivity?**

Answer: This verse directly anticipates the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. The phrase "for they are at hand to come" explicitly states that the land's restoration is happening *because* the people are about to return. God is preparing the land—making it fertile and productive again—as a welcoming and sustaining home for His people who are on the verge of repatriation. This aligns with other prophetic promises of return, such as those found in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promises of Hope and Return").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ezekiel 36:8 speaks directly to the physical restoration of the land of Israel and the return of the exiles, its ultimate fulfillment points to the person and work of Jesus Christ and the spiritual restoration He brings. Just as the desolate land was promised to "shoot forth branches and yield fruit," Christ is the true vine (as declared in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")) through whom believers are enabled to bear spiritual fruit (see [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Bearing Fruit in Christ")). The promise of the people being "at hand to come" foreshadows the gathering of God's people from all nations into the spiritual Israel, the Church, through Christ's redemptive work. He is the one who brings life out of spiritual barrenness, transforming hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")). The ultimate "fruit" of God's restorative plan is not merely physical abundance but the abundant life found in Christ (as promised in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ")) and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, where all things are made new (revealed in [Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")). Thus, Ezekiel 36:8, in its imagery of life and return, finds its deepest and most comprehensive fulfillment in the spiritual new creation inaugurated by Christ.

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

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.

Ezekiel 34:26

And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

Ezekiel 34:29

And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.

Isaiah 4:2

¶ In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Isaiah 30:23

Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Ezekiel 17:23

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

James 5:8

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.