Ezekiel 36:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 36:9 serves as a profound declaration within God's comprehensive prophecy of Israel's restoration, asserting the Lord's direct and benevolent intervention in the renewal of His desolate land. Following a period of severe judgment and exile, this verse heralds a divine reversal, promising that God Himself will actively engage with the land, transforming its barrenness into a state of vibrant fertility and productivity, thereby preparing it for the return and flourishing of His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 36 is a pivotal oracle of hope and restoration, strategically placed after extensive prophecies of judgment against Israel and surrounding nations, such as those found in [Ezekiel 33](/ezekiel/33 "Ezekiel 33 - The Watchman's Role and Israel's Sins") and [Ezekiel 35](/ezekiel/35 "Ezekiel 35 - Prophecy Against Mount Seir"). The chapter opens with God addressing the "mountains of Israel," which had been laid waste and scorned by their neighbors (Ezekiel 36:1-7). Verses 8-15 mark a significant transition, shifting from lament over desolation to explicit promises of renewal for the land itself. Our verse, Ezekiel 36:9, is a key turning point within this section, explicitly stating God's personal commitment to this physical restoration before the prophecy expands to encompass the spiritual renewal of the people, including the promise of a new heart and spirit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:24-27](/ezekiel/36-24-27 "Ezekiel 36:24-27 - The New Heart and Spirit")). This verse thus acts as a foundational assurance, setting the stage for the holistic transformation that is to follow.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Ezekiel 36 was delivered during the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national trauma for the Israelites (c. 593-571 BC). Jerusalem had been utterly destroyed, the sacred temple desecrated, and the majority of the population deported to a foreign land. The land of Israel, once promised as a land flowing with milk and honey, lay desolate, plundered, and neglected, becoming a symbol of shame and reproach among the surrounding nations. For ancient Israel, agriculture was the bedrock of their society, and the land's fertility was inextricably linked to God's blessing and covenant faithfulness, as powerfully articulated in the blessings and curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The divine promise that the land would be "tilled and sown" would have resonated deeply with an agrarian people longing for a return to normalcy, stability, and divine favor after years of barrenness, famine, and foreign domination. It signifies a profound reversal of the curses of desolation and a return to the blessings of abundance and secure habitation.

* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 36:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes prominent in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. The primary theme is **Divine Initiative and Restoration**, powerfully emphasizing that God Himself is the active and sovereign agent in reversing Israel's fortunes. The declaration "I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you" underscores God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His compassionate decision to act on behalf of His people, despite their past rebellion (cf. [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Compassion Endures")). Another crucial theme is the **Renewal of the Land**, which serves as a tangible and vital symbol of national and spiritual revival. The agricultural imagery of "tilled and sown" points to a return to fruitfulness, habitation, and prosperity, a stark contrast to the previous desolation and a fulfillment of promises for a new era of blessing (e.g., [Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1-2 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Desert Blooms")). This physical restoration foreshadows and prepares the way for the profound spiritual transformation of the people, where a new heart and spirit will be given, enabling them to walk in God's statutes and experience true communion with Him (as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turn (Hebrew, _pânâh'_):** H6437, a primitive root meaning "to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc." In this context, it signifies a profound and deliberate shift in God's disposition and action towards His people and their land. After turning away in judgment due to Israel's persistent idolatry and sin (e.g., [Ezekiel 8:6](/ezekiel/8-6 "Ezekiel 8:6 - Abominations in the Temple")), God now declares that He will "turn unto" them. This implies a re-engagement, a renewed focus of divine favor, and a compassionate turning back towards those He had previously disciplined, signaling the cessation of His wrath and the commencement of restoration.
* **tilled (Hebrew, _ʻâbad'_):** H5647, a primitive root meaning "to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc." While often translated as "serve" or "worship" in other contexts, here, within this agricultural imagery, it specifically refers to the laborious act of cultivating the land – plowing, breaking up the soil, and preparing it for planting. The passive voice ("ye shall be tilled") emphasizes that the land itself will be the direct recipient of this divine work, implying that God will supernaturally ensure the necessary labor and conditions for its fertility, either directly or by enabling His returning people to do so. It speaks to the active preparation for abundant productivity.
* **sown (Hebrew, _zâraʻ'_):** H2232, a primitive root meaning "to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify." This word completes the vivid agricultural image, indicating the crucial act of planting seeds that will inevitably lead to a bountiful harvest. Coupled with "tilled," it paints a comprehensive picture of complete agricultural renewal. The land will not merely be prepared, but it will be actively planted, ensuring future fruitfulness and sustenance for the returning exiles. Figuratively, it speaks to the re-establishment of life, population, and prosperity in the desolate land, reversing the curses of barrenness and depopulation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, behold, I [am] for you,"**: This opening clause is a powerful and emphatic declaration of God's unwavering commitment and benevolent disposition towards Israel. The emphatic "behold" (Hebrew: *hinnēh*) serves to draw immediate and urgent attention to the divine speaker and the absolute certainty of His promise. The profound phrase "I am for you" signifies a radical reversal of God's previous stance of judgment and opposition (e.g., [Lamentations 2:5](/lamentations/2-5 "Lamentations 2:5 - The Lord Has Become an Enemy")). It conveys divine favor, active protection, and unwavering support, assuring Israel that God's intentions are now entirely for their well-being, restoration, and ultimate flourishing.
* **"and I will turn unto you,"**: This phrase powerfully reinforces the idea of God's renewed engagement, compassion, and direct presence. The verb "turn" (Hebrew: *pânâh*) denotes a deliberate re-orientation of God's focus and presence towards His people. After a period where God's "face" was hidden or turned away in righteous anger due to Israel's persistent idolatry and rebellion (e.g., [Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God's Anger and Hiding His Face")), He now promises to turn back to His people. This signifies the decisive end of the exile and the resumption of a direct, favorable, and life-giving relationship, bringing an end to both spiritual and physical desolation.
* **"and ye shall be tilled and sown:"**: This final clause employs vivid and deeply meaningful agricultural imagery to describe the comprehensive physical restoration of the land of Israel. "Tilled" (Hebrew: *ʻâbad*) refers to the laborious preparation of the soil, such as plowing and breaking up the hard, neglected ground, making it ready for cultivation. "Sown" (Hebrew: *zâraʻ*) refers to the planting of seeds into the prepared soil. Together, these terms promise that the land, which had lain barren, desolate, and unproductive during the exile, will once again become fertile, abundantly productive, and fully capable of sustaining life. This is a divine guarantee of physical renewal, ensuring that the land will be able to support the returning exiles and provide abundant sustenance, symbolizing a complete and miraculous reversal of the curses of desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 36:9 is rich in **Imagery**, particularly **Agricultural Imagery**. The terms "tilled" and "sown" vividly depict the miraculous transformation of a barren, desolate land into one that is fertile, productive, and ready for vibrant habitation. This imagery would have been profoundly meaningful and comforting to an agrarian society, symbolizing not just physical renewal but also prosperity, stability, and the return of abundant life. The verse also employs a subtle form of **Personification** of the land, treating it as an entity that can be "tilled and sown," as if it is an active recipient of God's direct and personal work, rather than merely an inanimate object. This emphasizes the intimate and direct involvement of God in its restoration. Furthermore, the phrase "For, behold, I [am] for you" functions as a powerful **Divine Oracle**, a direct and authoritative declaration from God Himself, lending immense certainty and immutable truth to the promise. The emphatic "behold" serves as an **Interjection**, drawing immediate and urgent attention to the profound shift in God's disposition and His decisive action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 36:9 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His sovereign power to reverse even the most dire and seemingly irreversible circumstances. It profoundly underscores the theme of divine grace and initiative, demonstrating that restoration is primarily God's work, not a result of human merit or effort. This verse is an integral part of a larger prophecy that moves beyond mere physical restoration to a profound spiritual renewal, where God promises to bestow a new heart and spirit upon His people. The land's miraculous renewal is thus a tangible and visible sign of God's enduring faithfulness and a precursor to the spiritual fruitfulness He desires to bring forth in the lives of His people. It speaks to the character of a God who, even after administering just judgment, turns back in boundless compassion to bring life, abundance, and purpose out of desolation.

This promise of comprehensive restoration finds echoes throughout scripture:
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")
* [Isaiah 61:4](/isaiah/61-4 "Isaiah 61:4 - Rebuilding Ancient Ruins")
* [Amos 9:13-15](/amos/9-13-15 "Amos 9:13-15 - Restoration and Abundance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 36:9 offers profound comfort, unwavering hope, and a powerful call to trust for individuals and communities facing seasons of desolation, barrenness, or feelings of abandonment. Just as God promised to turn to His desolate land and make it vibrantly fruitful again, He promises to turn to us in our deepest times of need, actively working to bring about holistic restoration. This verse serves as a potent reminder that even when our lives, relationships, ministries, or spiritual journeys feel like a desolate wasteland, God's sovereign and benevolent hand is actively at work, diligently preparing the ground for new growth, abundant fruitfulness, and renewed purpose. It calls us to trust implicitly in His divine initiative, knowing with certainty that He is unequivocally "for us" and desires to bring life and purpose where there was once emptiness and despair. Our vital role is to remain open and yielded to His transforming work, allowing Him to "till and sow" in the depths of our hearts, preparing us for the spiritual harvest He intends. This promise encourages unwavering perseverance and steadfast faith, knowing that God's ultimate plans for us are always toward peace, abundant life, and a glorious future, even when the present circumstances seem bleak or overwhelming.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you currently experience a sense of desolation, barrenness, or unfulfilled potential?**
* **How does the profound promise "I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you" speak directly to your current circumstances, anxieties, or deepest longings?**
* **What does it truly mean for God to "till and sow" in the spiritual soil of your life, and how might you actively cooperate with His transformative work of restoration and fruitfulness?**
* **How can this verse inspire and encourage you to pray with greater faith for the restoration of broken relationships, struggling communities, or even physically depleted environments around you?**

### FAQ
**What does "tilled and sown" specifically refer to in this context?**

Answer: "Tilled and sown" refers to the essential agricultural processes of preparing the soil (tilling or plowing) and then planting seeds (sowing). In [Ezekiel 36:9](/ezekiel/36-9 "Ezekiel 36:9 - God's Promise to Restore the Land"), this vivid imagery signifies the complete physical restoration and renewal of the land of Israel, which had been left desolate, barren, and unproductive during the Babylonian exile. It means the land will once again become fertile, abundantly productive, and fully capable of sustaining life, thereby reversing the curses of barrenness and preparing it for the glorious return and flourishing of the people. This physical restoration is a tangible and powerful sign of God's renewed favor, blessing, and covenant faithfulness.

**How does this verse relate to God's character?**

Answer: This verse profoundly reveals several core aspects of God's character: His unwavering faithfulness, boundless compassion, and absolute sovereignty. His emphatic declaration "I [am] for you, and I will turn unto you" highlights His covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that even after administering severe judgment for Israel's pervasive sin, His ultimate disposition is one of redemptive love and restoration. It vividly showcases His compassion in actively reversing the desolation and His sovereignty in personally bringing about this miraculous renewal. God is not a distant or indifferent deity but one who intimately and powerfully intervenes to restore His people and His creation, a theme consistently woven throughout the biblical narrative from [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 36:9, with its powerful promise of divine turning and the miraculous tilling and sowing of the land, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks to the physical restoration of the land of Israel, the deeper spiritual reality points directly to the new creation and spiritual renewal inaugurated by Christ. Just as God turned to His desolate land, He fully and definitively turned to humanity in Christ, offering profound reconciliation and establishing an entirely new covenant. Jesus is the true "sower" who scatters the seed of the Word of God, preparing the "soil" of human hearts for spiritual fruitfulness, as beautifully illustrated in the parable of the sower in [Matthew 13:1-23](/matthew/13-1-23 "Matthew 13:1-23 - The Parable of the Sower"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ effectively "tilled" the barren ground of humanity's sin-cursed existence, breaking up the hard, unproductive soil of rebellion and death to plant the life-giving seeds of new spiritual life. The spiritual "land" of our hearts, once desolate, unproductive, and enslaved by sin, is made fertile and capable of bearing fruit by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to yield the fruit of righteousness and the Spirit (cf. [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")). The promise that God is unequivocally "for you" is perfectly embodied in Christ, who came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")). He is the one who ultimately reverses our spiritual desolation, bringing us into a vibrant, fruitful, and eternal relationship with God, establishing a new spiritual Israel that transcends all ethnic and national boundaries ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28-29 "Galatians 3:28-29 - One in Christ Jesus")).

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

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].