Ezekiel 28:25
Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוִה֒
H3068
יְהוִה֒
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָֽעַמִּים֙
from the people
H5971
הָֽעַמִּים֙
from the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָפֹ֣צוּ
among whom they are scattered
H6327
נָפֹ֣צוּ
among whom they are scattered
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
12 of 24
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
וְנִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי
and shall be sanctified
H6942
וְנִקְדַּ֥שְׁתִּי
and shall be sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
14 of 24
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
לְעֵינֵ֣י
in them in the sight
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֣י
in them in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
16 of 24
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
17 of 24
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וְיָֽשְׁבוּ֙
then shall they dwell
H3427
וְיָֽשְׁבוּ֙
then shall they dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֖תִּי
that I have given
H5414
נָתַ֖תִּי
that I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
22 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:37Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:Ezekiel 20:41I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.Psalms 106:47Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.Jeremiah 23:8But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.Ezekiel 11:17Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.Ezekiel 36:28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.Ezekiel 37:25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.Ezekiel 34:13And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.Ezekiel 28:22And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her.Jeremiah 30:18Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.
Historical Context
After the return from exile (538 BC), Jews did rebuild houses and plant vineyards, though under Persian, Greek, and Roman rule. True 'dwelling safely' remained elusive until the Messianic age. The prophetic vision points beyond immediate return to ultimate restoration when Messiah reigns and Israel dwells securely (Ezekiel 34:25-28, 37:26-28).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of 'building houses and planting vineyards' represent covenant restoration?
- What is the connection between judging Israel's enemies and her security?
- How do Old Testament restoration promises point to ultimate fulfillment in Christ's kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards—The restoration includes בֶּטַח (beṭaḥ, 'security/safety'), construction (וּבָנוּ בָתִּים, ûbānû bāttîm, 'and build houses'), and agriculture (וְנָטְעוּ כְרָמִים, wĕnāṭĕʿû khĕrāmîm, 'and plant vineyards'). These images depict covenant blessing reversal: Deuteronomy 28:30 cursed disobedience with building but not dwelling, planting but not eating; here, obedience brings fulfillment.
Yea, they shall dwell with confidence—Repetition of בֶּטַח (beṭaḥ) emphasizes security. When I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them—Israel's safety depends on God judging hostile neighbors, which He promises to do. This verse connects chapters 25-28 (oracles against nations) with Israel's restoration: their enemies' judgment enables Israel's peace.