Ezekiel 37:21
And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
Original Language Analysis
וְדַבֵּ֣ר
And say
H1696
וְדַבֵּ֣ר
And say
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 24
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
לֹקֵ֙חַ֙
Behold I will take
H3947
לֹקֵ֙חַ֙
Behold I will take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
9 of 24
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
11 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
12 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִבֵּ֥ין
from among
H996
מִבֵּ֥ין
from among
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
13 of 24
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
the heathen
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם
the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
14 of 24
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָֽלְכוּ
whither they be gone
H1980
הָֽלְכוּ
whither they be gone
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
אֹתָם֙
H853
אֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִסָּבִ֔יב
them on every side
H5439
מִסָּבִ֔יב
them on every side
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
20 of 24
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י
and bring
H935
וְהֵבֵאתִ֥י
and bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
21 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Ezekiel 36:24For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.Jeremiah 29:14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.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.Jeremiah 16:15But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.Isaiah 49:12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.Jeremiah 30:3For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.Jeremiah 50:19And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.Jeremiah 23:3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.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 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.
Historical Context
The exile scattered Judah throughout Mesopotamia and beyond (587 BC). God promises reversal: comprehensive regathering surpassing the Babylonian return. The phrase "on every side" indicates universal scope. The modern return to Israel (1948) raises eschatological questions, though Reformed theology typically emphasizes spiritual fulfillment in Christ's gathering elect from all nations. The New Testament expands "Israel" to include believing Gentiles (Galatians 6:16), suggesting the promise finds ultimate expression in the church—God's people gathered from every nation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to gather from all nations comfort believers in hostile environments?
- What is the relationship between ethnic Israel's restoration and the church as spiritual Israel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land." God promises comprehensive regathering from worldwide dispersion. The threefold action—take, gather, bring—emphasizes divine initiative and thoroughness. This prophecy has partial historical fulfillment (return from Babylon), ongoing fulfillment (conversion of Jews to Christ), and future fulfillment (debated between millennial and spiritual interpretations). The key is God's sovereignty: He gathers whom He wills, when He wills, accomplishing His purposes.