Ezekiel 36:35

And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities [are become] fenced, [and] are inhabited.

And they shall say {H559}, This {H1977} land {H776} that was desolate {H8074} is become like the garden {H1588} of Eden {H5731}; and the waste {H2720} and desolate {H8074} and ruined {H2040} cities {H5892} are become fenced {H1219}, and are inhabited {H3427}.

Then they will say, "The land that used to be desolate has become like Gan-'Eden, and the cities formerly ruined, abandoned and wasted have been fortified and are inhabited!"

Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’

And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.

Commentary

Ezekiel 36:35 is a powerful prophetic declaration, part of a larger passage in which God promises to restore the exiled nation of Israel, both spiritually and physically. This verse specifically highlights the dramatic transformation of the land itself, from desolation to renewed beauty and habitation.

Context

This verse comes within Ezekiel's prophecy of Israel's restoration after their exile to Babylon. God had brought judgment upon the land and its people due to their idolatry and disobedience, resulting in its desolation. Chapters 36 and 37 are pivotal, moving from judgment to promises of renewal. Prior to this verse, God promises to gather Israel from among the nations (Ezekiel 36:24), cleanse them, and give them a new heart and a new spirit, placing His Spirit within them to enable obedience (Ezekiel 36:27). Verse 35 describes the visible, tangible result of this spiritual and physical renewal, a transformation so profound it would be evident to surrounding nations.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration: The central theme is God's unparalleled power to reverse utter desolation. What was "waste and desolate and ruined" is made fruitful and secure by divine intervention.
  • Edenic Renewal: The comparison to the "garden of Eden" is highly significant. It evokes images of primordial perfection, abundance, and God's blessing, harkening back to the ideal state of creation (Genesis 2:8). This signifies a return to a state of blessing and flourishing under God's favor.
  • Witness to the Nations: The dramatic transformation is not just for Israel's benefit but also serves as a powerful testimony to the surrounding peoples. They will observe this miraculous change and acknowledge the power of the God of Israel (Ezekiel 36:36).
  • Security and Inhabitation: Beyond just fertility, the verse promises rebuilt and fortified cities ("fenced") that are populated ("are inhabited"). This speaks to a return of peace, order, and thriving communities, replacing the chaos and emptiness of war and abandonment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong descriptive terms like "desolate," "waste," and "ruined cities" to emphasize the extreme state of degradation the land had fallen into. The contrast with "like the garden of Eden" is thus made even more striking. The word "fenced" implies not just walls, but security and protection, suggesting a stable and safe environment for the inhabitants.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 36:35 offers profound hope. It reminds us that God is a God of restoration, capable of bringing life, beauty, and order out of the most desolate situations. This applies not only to nations but also to individual lives. Where sin or hardship has left our lives barren, broken, or "ruined," God promises a spiritual and emotional renewal that can transform our personal landscapes into something fruitful and vibrant, reflecting His grace. It encourages faith that God's promises of ultimate new creation and restoration will surely come to pass.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 51:3 (6 votes)

    For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

  • Joel 2:3 (4 votes)

    A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land [is] as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

  • Jeremiah 33:9 (4 votes)

    And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

  • Psalms 58:11 (3 votes)

    So that a man shall say, Verily [there is] a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

  • Psalms 126:2 (2 votes)

    Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

  • Psalms 64:9 (2 votes)

    And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.

  • Genesis 13:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.