Ezekiel 39:23-29

23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.
24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid my face from them.
25 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob[a] and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.
26 They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid.
27 When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.
28 Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.
29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

Ezekiel 39:23-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 39

This chapter is a continuation of the prophecy of the destruction of Gog, which is both repeated, and more largely described, Eze 39:1-8, then follows an account of the burning of his weapons of war, which will last seven years in burning, during which time there will be no need of the use of wood, Eze 39:9,10, and of the burial of him, and many of his army; the place where, and the time that will be taken up in doing this, even seven months, are observed, Eze 39:11-16, and every feathered fowl and beast of the field are called upon to feed on the flesh of those that are left unburied, Eze 39:17-20 and by all this the glory of the Lord will be seen, known, and acknowledged, both by the Heathens, and by the house of Israel, Eze 39:21,22, and the former will also be informed that the present captivity of the Jews has been for their sins and transgressions, Eze 39:23,24, and the chapter is concluded with a promise of their return from captivity, when they shall know the Lord, and their interest in him; who will after this no more hide his face from them, but pour out his Spirit upon them, under whose influence they shall ever continue, Eze 39:25-29.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:2; S Jeremiah 22:8-9; S Jeremiah 44:23
  • 2. 2 Kings 17:23; Jeremiah 2:17,19; Jeremiah 4:18; S Ezekiel 7:22; Daniel 9:7; Ezekiel 36:19
  • 3. S Jeremiah 33:7; Ezekiel 34:13
  • 4. S Jeremiah 30:18
  • 5. Isaiah 27:12-13; S Ezekiel 16:53
  • 6. S 1 Kings 4:25; S Jeremiah 32:37; S Ezekiel 38:8
  • 7. Isaiah 17:2; Ezekiel 34:28; Micah 4:4
  • 8. S Ezekiel 36:23-24; Ezekiel 37:21; Ezekiel 38:16
  • 9. Psalms 147:2
  • 10. S Ezekiel 36:23,36
  • 11. S Deuteronomy 31:17
  • 12. S Isaiah 11:2; S Ezekiel 37:9; Joel 2:28; S Acts 2:17
  • 13. S Ezekiel 16:42

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "now bring Jacob back from captivity"
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