Ezekiel 39:21

And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.

And I will set {H5414} my glory {H3519} among the heathen {H1471}, and all the heathen {H1471} shall see {H7200} my judgment {H4941} that I have executed {H6213}, and my hand {H3027} that I have laid {H7760} upon them.

"'Thus will I display my glory among the nations, so that all the nations will see my judgment when I execute it and my hand when I lay it on them.

I will display My glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the judgment that I execute and the hand that I lay upon them.

And I will set my glory among the nations; and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.

Commentary on Ezekiel 39:21 (KJV)

Ezekiel 39:21 is a powerful declaration of God's ultimate purpose behind the dramatic judgment described in the preceding verses concerning Gog and his vast confederacy. This verse emphasizes that God's actions are not merely punitive but are fundamentally revelatory, designed to display His character and power to all nations.

Context

This verse is situated within Ezekiel's prophetic vision of the future invasion of Israel by Gog from the land of Magog, followed by God's miraculous and overwhelming defeat of this enemy (Ezekiel 38-39). The destruction of Gog's forces is portrayed as a divine intervention that leaves no doubt about who is sovereign. Prior to this verse, God has already stated His intention to use this event to make His name known (Ezekiel 38:23). Verse 21 expands on this by focusing on the universal impact of this revelation. The "heathen" refers to the Gentile nations, who will witness God's mighty acts.

Key Themes

  • Divine Glory and Revelation: The primary purpose of God's judgment is to "set my glory among the heathen." This means God's inherent majesty, power, holiness, and justice will be unmistakably displayed and recognized by all peoples. It is a revelation of His true identity.
  • Universal Witness to Judgment: "All the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed." This highlights the public and undeniable nature of God's intervention. His justice is not hidden but is openly demonstrated for the entire world to witness, forcing recognition of His righteous rule.
  • God's Sovereign Hand: The phrase "my hand that I have laid upon them" signifies God's direct, active, and powerful involvement in executing His will. It emphasizes His absolute control and ability to bring about His purposes, whether in judgment or blessing. This echoes other biblical instances of God's "strong hand" at work.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "glory" is kavod (כָּבוֹד), which often denotes weight, honor, dignity, and majesty. Here, it refers to the visible manifestation of God's inherent greatness.
  • "Judgment" is mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), meaning a legal decision, justice, or a decisive act of God's righteous rule. It is not arbitrary but a just consequence.
  • "Heathen" is goyim (גּוֹיִם), a common biblical term for nations or Gentiles, indicating that this revelation is not limited to Israel but is for the entire world.

Related Scriptures

The theme of God revealing His glory and being known by the nations is a recurring motif in scripture. For instance, Psalm 46:10 declares, "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Similarly, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a future time when the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This universal recognition of God's power and justice is central to His plan.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ezekiel 39:21 offers profound reassurance of God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. It reminds us that even amidst chaos and evil in the world, God is working out His purposes, and His glory will ultimately be revealed to all. This verse encourages faith that God's hand is always at work, executing righteous judgment and ensuring that His true nature is known. It also serves as a reminder that God's plan extends beyond a single nation, encompassing all peoples in the revelation of His truth and power. We are called to live in light of this coming universal recognition of God.

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.

  • Isaiah 37:20

    Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

  • Ezekiel 38:23

    Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Exodus 9:16

    And in very deed for this [cause] have I raised thee up, for to shew [in] thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

  • Ezekiel 38:16

    And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.

  • Ezekiel 36:23

    And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

  • Exodus 7:4

    But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

  • Exodus 14:4

    And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I [am] the LORD. And they did so.

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