Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Original Language Analysis
וְזָרַקְתִּ֧י
Then will I sprinkle
H2236
וְזָרַקְתִּ֧י
Then will I sprinkle
Strong's:
H2236
Word #:
1 of 11
to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles)
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
טְהוֹרִ֖ים
clean
H2889
טְהוֹרִ֖ים
clean
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
4 of 11
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
אֲטַהֵ֥ר
upon you and ye shall be clean
H2891
אֲטַהֵ֥ר
upon you and ye shall be clean
Strong's:
H2891
Word #:
5 of 11
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
מִכֹּ֧ל
H3605
מִכֹּ֧ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּמִכָּל
H3605
וּמִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גִּלּ֥וּלֵיכֶ֖ם
and from all your idols
H1544
גִּלּ֥וּלֵיכֶ֖ם
and from all your idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
Cross References
Hebrews 10:22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.John 3:5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.Jeremiah 33:8And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.Isaiah 4:4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.Psalms 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Hebrews 9:19For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,Psalms 51:2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.Ezekiel 37:23Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Historical Context
The cleansing ritual used water mixed with ashes from a red heifer (Numbers 19), symbolizing purification from defilement. Ezekiel prophesied (587 BC) that God would spiritually accomplish what rituals symbolized. The exile proved ceremonial cleansing insufficient without heart transformation. John the Baptist's baptism prepared for Christ, who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Christian baptism fulfills this prophecy—not the water itself but what it represents: Spirit-wrought regeneration cleansing from sin and idolatry.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of God's cleansing challenge attempts at self-purification?
- What is the relationship between ritual baptism and the spiritual reality it symbolizes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." This describes spiritual purification, not mere ritual. The "clean water" anticipates Christian baptism, symbolizing regeneration and washing away of sins. God promises cleansing from both external defilement ("filthiness") and internal corruption ("idols"). The Reformed doctrine of definitive sanctification appears—believers are cleansed decisively at conversion, though progressive sanctification continues. The passive voice "ye shall be clean" emphasizes God's action, not human effort. We don't cleanse ourselves; God cleanses us.