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Ezekiel 36:8

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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.

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}.

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

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

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

Ezekiel 36:8 is a powerful declaration of God's promise of restoration for the land of Israel, directly preceding the spiritual renewal of its people. After centuries of desolation and mockery by surrounding nations, this verse heralds a dramatic reversal, signifying the imminent return of the exiled Israelites to their ancestral land.

Context of Ezekiel 36:8

This verse is part of a larger prophecy in Ezekiel 36 where God addresses the "mountains of Israel" directly, contrasting their current barren state with their future prosperity. Chapters 33-35 detail prophecies of judgment against Israel's enemies, particularly Edom (Mount Seir), who rejoiced in Israel's downfall. Chapter 36 then pivots to a message of hope and restoration for Israel, both physical and spiritual. The land had been laid waste due to Israel's sin, but God promises to restore it, not primarily because Israel deserved it, but to vindicate His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations (as highlighted in Ezekiel 36:23). This physical restoration of the land sets the stage for the promised spiritual renewal and a new covenant with a new heart and spirit for the people.

Key Themes in Ezekiel 36:8

  • Divine Restoration and Abundance: The imagery of the mountains "shooting forth branches" and "yielding fruit" vividly portrays a desolate land becoming fertile and productive again. This speaks to God's power to bring life and prosperity even out of ruin, reversing the curse of barrenness.
  • God's Covenant Faithfulness: This prophecy underscores God's unwavering commitment to His people and His land, despite their unfaithfulness. It demonstrates that God remembers His covenant promises, even when circumstances seem to contradict them.
  • Return of the People: The phrase "for they are at hand to come" clearly indicates the impending return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. The land is being prepared for their arrival, signifying that the physical restoration is directly linked to the repatriation of God's chosen people. This aligns with other prophetic declarations of return, such as the one found in Jeremiah 29:10.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O mountains of Israel" is a personification of the entire land. It emphasizes that the very topography, which had witnessed and endured the desolation, would now experience and display God's blessing. The imagery of "shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit" is deeply rooted in agricultural metaphors common in the ancient Near East, symbolizing prosperity, divine favor, and the reversal of judgment. It evokes a picture of a land that was once like a desert now ready to bloom like a rose.

Significance and Application

Ezekiel 36:8 offers profound hope, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to His promises. For the original audience, it was a tangible assurance that their exile was not the end, and that God would indeed bring them back to their homeland. For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's restorative power—not just physically, but spiritually. It teaches us that God can bring life and fruitfulness to barren situations, whether in our personal lives, communities, or even in seemingly hopeless circumstances. It reinforces the truth that God is faithful to complete what He has promised, ultimately culminating in the full restoration promised in the new heavens and new earth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 27:6 (5 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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