Ezekiel 36:9

For, behold, I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:

For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn {H6437} unto you, and ye shall be tilled {H5647} and sown {H2232}:

I am here for you, and I will turn toward you; then you will be tilled and sown;

For behold, I am on your side; I will turn toward you, and you will be tilled and sown.

For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown;

Context of Ezekiel 36:9

Ezekiel 36:9 is part of a profound prophecy delivered by God through the prophet Ezekiel to the "mountains of Israel." This chapter follows extensive pronouncements of judgment against Israel and surrounding nations, particularly in chapters 33-35. Here, God shifts to a glorious promise of restoration for His exiled people and their desolate land. The land itself had suffered desolation and shame, but in this verse, God declares His personal involvement in its renewal, setting the stage for the return of the people and the spiritual revitalization promised later in the chapter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Initiative and Favor: The phrase "For, behold, I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you" powerfully conveys God's unwavering commitment and active benevolence towards His people and their land. It signifies a reversal of His previous turning away due to their idolatry and disobedience, highlighting His grace and a renewed focus on their well-being. This demonstrates God's desire to restore and provide a future of hope.
  • Restoration of the Land: The agricultural imagery, "and ye shall be tilled and sown," speaks directly to the physical renewal and productivity of the land of Israel. After years of lying waste and barren during the Babylonian exile, God promises to make it fertile and habitable once more. This signifies not just physical fruitfulness but also the return of stability, life, and the potential for a thriving community. It echoes promises of abundance and blessing for obedience.
  • Reversal of Desolation: This verse promises a complete turnaround from the state of abandonment and barrenness. What was once desolate will become productive, ready to sustain life. This physical restoration foreshadows the spiritual renewal that will accompany the return of the people, as described in subsequent verses of this chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "tilled" ('abad) and "sown" (zara') are common agricultural terms. Their combined use here emphasizes the active cultivation and planting that will take place, leading to sustained productivity. It's not just a temporary flourishing but a deliberate, ongoing process of growth and fruitfulness, signifying a permanent return to a state of blessing and habitation for the land and its people.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:9 offers profound comfort and hope. It reminds us that even when circumstances seem desolate and barren, God's promise to "be for you" remains. He is actively involved in bringing about restoration, whether it's in a physical land, a broken relationship, or a discouraged spirit. Just as He promised to bring fertility to the land of Israel, He desires to bring fruitfulness and purpose to our lives, turning our barren seasons into periods of growth and renewal. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan for gathering and restoring His people, both corporately and individually.

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.

  • Psalms 46:11

    The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

  • Ezekiel 36:34

    And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.

  • Hosea 2:21

    And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.

  • Zechariah 8:12

    For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].

  • Romans 8:31

    ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back