Ezekiel 28:24
And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ע֜וֹד
H5750
ע֜וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
unto the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מַמְאִיר֙
And there shall be no more a pricking
H3992
מַמְאִיר֙
And there shall be no more a pricking
Strong's:
H3992
Word #:
7 of 18
to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter, i.e., be painful
מַכְאִ֔ב
nor any grieving
H3510
מַכְאִ֔ב
nor any grieving
Strong's:
H3510
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, to feel pain; by implication, to grieve; figuratively, to spoil
מִכֹּל֙
H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
סְבִ֣יבֹתָ֔ם
of all that are round about
H5439
סְבִ֣יבֹתָ֔ם
of all that are round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
11 of 18
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
אוֹתָ֑ם
H853
אוֹתָ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ
them and they shall know
H3045
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ
them and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
14 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Joshua 23:13Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.Numbers 33:55But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.2 Corinthians 12:7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.Isaiah 55:13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.Ezekiel 2:6And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
Historical Context
This prophecy had partial fulfillment in 538 BC when Cyrus permitted Jewish return, and the temple was rebuilt by 516 BC. However, complete gathering 'from all nations' awaits eschatological fulfillment. Even today, Jewish return to Israel continues, with believers seeing prophetic significance in modern Israel's existence since 1948.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's covenant faithfulness to Israel demonstrate His character?
- What does restoration 'in the sight of the nations' teach about God's global purposes?
- How should Christians understand ongoing prophecies about Israel's land and restoration?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered—The restoration promise: בְּקַבְּצִי אֶת־בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל (bĕqabbĕṣî ʾet-bêt yiśrāʾēl, 'when I gather the house of Israel') מִן־הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר נָפֹצוּ בָם (min-hāʿammîm ăsher nāphōṣû bām, 'from the peoples among whom they were scattered').
And shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen—וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בָם לְעֵינֵי הַגּוֹיִם (wĕniqdashtî bām lĕʿênê haggôyim, 'and I will show myself holy in them before the eyes of the nations'). God's holiness is vindicated not only through judging sin but through restoring His people. Then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob—The Abrahamic covenant land promise (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21) remains in force. Israel's exile was discipline, not divorce; restoration was always planned (Leviticus 26:44-45).