Ezekiel 28:26
And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ
And they shall dwell
H3427
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ
And they shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עָלֶיהָ֮
H5921
עָלֶיהָ֮
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
H983
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
וּבָנ֤וּ
therein and shall build
H1129
וּבָנ֤וּ
therein and shall build
Strong's:
H1129
Word #:
4 of 20
to build (literally and figuratively)
בָתִּים֙
houses
H1004
בָתִּים֙
houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְנָטְע֣וּ
and plant
H5193
וְנָטְע֣וּ
and plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ
And they shall dwell
H3427
וְיָשְׁב֖וּ
And they shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
H983
לָבֶ֑טַח
safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֣י
when I have executed
H6213
בַּעֲשׂוֹתִ֣י
when I have executed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
בְּכֹ֨ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֨ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֹתָם֙
H853
אֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִסְּבִ֣יבוֹתָ֔ם
them round about
H5439
מִסְּבִ֣יבוֹתָ֔ם
them round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
15 of 20
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ
them and they shall know
H3045
וְיָ֣דְע֔וּ
them and they shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Ezekiel 28:24And 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.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 32:15For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed again in this land.Ezekiel 38:8After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.Proverbs 14:26In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.Isaiah 17:14And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.Exodus 29:46And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.Zechariah 1:15And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.Deuteronomy 12:10But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;Ezekiel 39:10So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.
Historical Context
The exile raised profound theological questions addressed in Lamentations, Psalms 74, 79, 137, and prophetic books. Had God divorced Israel? Were the gods of Babylon stronger? Restoration and the fall of Israel's oppressors answered decisively: YHWH remained faithful, proving His unique deity. This shaped post-exilic Judaism's fierce monotheism.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use both discipline and deliverance to reveal His character?
- What does recognizing God as 'the LORD their God' (possessive) imply about covenant relationship?
- How should believers respond to seasons when God seems absent or unfaithful?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them—The recognition formula with possessive pronoun: יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (YHWH ĕlōhêhem, 'the LORD their God'). Not just acknowledging God exists, but recognizing their covenant relationship restored.
Israel's suffering through exile and oppression by hostile neighbors created spiritual crisis: had God abandoned them? Restoration and judgment on enemies would prove God's covenant remained intact. And they shall know—experiential knowledge (יָדַע, yādaʿ) through historical fulfillment. God's faithfulness is demonstrated through both discipline (exile) and deliverance (restoration/enemies' judgment). This concluding verse of the oracles against nations (chapters 25-28) transitions to Egypt's judgment (chapters 29-32), after which Israel's full restoration is detailed (chapters 33-48).