Ezekiel 20:6
In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In the day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא
H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נָשָׂ֤אתִי
that I lifted up
H5375
נָשָׂ֤אתִי
that I lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
3 of 20
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
יָדִי֙
mine hand
H3027
יָדִי֙
mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לְהֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
unto them to bring them forth
H3318
לְהֽוֹצִיאָ֖ם
unto them to bring them forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
into a land
H776
הָאֲרָצֽוֹת׃
into a land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
10 of 20
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תַּ֣רְתִּי
that I had espied
H8446
תַּ֣רְתִּי
that I had espied
Strong's:
H8446
Word #:
12 of 20
to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
זָבַ֤ת
for them flowing
H2100
זָבַ֤ת
for them flowing
Strong's:
H2100
Word #:
14 of 20
to flow freely (as water), i.e., (specifically) to have a (sexual) flux; figuratively, to waste away; also to overflow
הִ֖יא
H1931
הִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
18 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;Psalms 48:2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.Jeremiah 32:22And hast given them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;Exodus 3:8And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.Exodus 33:3Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.Zechariah 7:14But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.Daniel 8:9And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Historical Context
The promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21) was renewed to Moses (Exodus 3:8, 17). Canaan's fertility is confirmed by archaeological and historical records. The phrase 'milk and honey' became proverbial for God's abundant provision.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise of abundant provision affect our view of His goodness?
- What is the relationship between promised blessings and covenant obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.' God's promise: deliverance from Egypt to the promised land. 'Land that I had espied' (tur) means 'scouted' or 'selected'—God's sovereign choice. 'Flowing with milk and honey' describes agricultural abundance. 'Glory of all lands' indicates supreme blessing. God's initiative, God's provision, God's gift.