Ezekiel 20:35
And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵבֵאתִ֣י
And I will bring
H935
וְהֵבֵאתִ֣י
And I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 11
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִדְבַּ֖ר
you into the wilderness
H4057
מִדְבַּ֖ר
you into the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
4 of 11
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
הָֽעַמִּ֑ים
of the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּ֑ים
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֤י
and there will I plead
H8199
וְנִשְׁפַּטְתִּ֤י
and there will I plead
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
6 of 11
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אִתְּכֶם֙
H854
אִתְּכֶם֙
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
Cross References
Hosea 2:14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.Jeremiah 2:35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.Ezekiel 19:13And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.Ezekiel 20:36Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 17:20And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
Historical Context
The return from exile involved spiritual renewal under Ezra and Nehemiah—covenant renewal, Torah instruction, separation from mixed marriages. However, full transformation required the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26-27) inaugurated by Christ. The church's wilderness testing prepares for eschatological consummation.
Questions for Reflection
- What purpose do 'wilderness' seasons of testing serve in spiritual formation?
- How does the New Covenant accomplish what the Old Covenant anticipated?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.' God promises new wilderness experience—not geographic wilderness but spiritual testing and purification. 'Plead with you face to face' recalls Sinai's covenant-making. This new wilderness will refine and restore, repeating the exodus pattern but accomplishing what the first wilderness failed to do: heart transformation.