Ezekiel 11:18 kjv
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence.
Ezekiel 11:18 nkjv
And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.
Ezekiel 11:18 niv
"They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.
Ezekiel 11:18 esv
And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.
Ezekiel 11:18 nlt
"When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols.
Ezekiel 11 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 27:15 | "Cursed be the man who makes a carved or cast metal image..." | Prohibition against idolatry, setting standard. |
| Deut 7:25 | "The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire..." | Command to destroy idols in the land. |
| Josh 24:14 | "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods that your fathers served..." | Exhortation to renounce idolatry. |
| 2 Ki 23:4-20 | Josiah's extensive purge of idolatry and cult objects. | Historical example of national cleansing. |
| Isa 2:18-20 | "And the idols shall utterly pass away... they will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold..." | Prophecy of future idolatry removal. |
| Isa 31:7 | "For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold..." | Future rejection of idols. |
| Jer 31:10-12 | "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations... he who scattered Israel will gather him..." | Promise of God's people gathered and restored. |
| Jer 32:38-39 | "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart..." | New covenant, new heart, and unified worship. |
| Ezek 11:17 | "Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples..." | Direct preceding verse: God gathers His people. |
| Ezek 11:19-20 | "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them..." | Immediately follows, promising inward transformation. |
| Ezek 36:24-27 | "I will take you from the nations... I will cleanse you... I will give you a new heart..." | Expansive promise of cleansing and new spirit. |
| Zech 13:2 | "And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land..." | Prophecy of total idol eradication. |
| Hos 14:8 | "O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? I answer and look after him..." | God's people abandoning idols for true worship. |
| Mal 3:2-3 | "But who can endure the day of his coming?... he will purify the sons of Levi..." | Future cleansing of worship and priests. |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "For what agreement has the temple of God with idols?" | New Testament principle of separating from idolatry. |
| 1 Jn 5:21 | "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." | New Testament warning against idolatry. |
| Rev 21:27 | "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false..." | Ultimate cleansing and purity in New Jerusalem. |
| Titus 2:14 | "Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession..." | Christ's role in purifying His people. |
| Heb 9:14 | "How much more will the blood of Christ... purify our conscience from dead works..." | Christ's cleansing work for believers. |
| Rom 6:13 | "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God..." | Presenting ourselves purified to God. |
Ezekiel 11 verses
Ezekiel 11 18 Meaning
Ezekiel 11:18 describes a future act of purification and cleansing in the land of Israel following the promised return of the exiled Israelites. Upon their return to the land God has gathered them to, they will actively remove all the detestable idols, cult objects, and abominable practices that had previously defiled the land and provoked God's wrath. This signifies not just a physical return, but a profound spiritual renewal and a commitment to pure worship.
Ezekiel 11 18 Context
Ezekiel 11:18 is situated within a significant prophetic discourse concerning Israel's future. The preceding chapters (Ezekiel 8-11) vividly detail the profound and pervasive idolatry and wickedness of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the Temple. Ezekiel is shown a series of abominations occurring within the very sanctuary of God, leading to the departure of God's glory from the Temple, symbolizing impending judgment and the coming exile (Ezek 10:18-19, 11:22-23).
Against this backdrop of severe judgment and dispersion, God declares a promise of hope and restoration. Ezekiel 11:17 directly precedes this verse, stating God's intention to gather His people from the nations where they have been scattered and give them back the land of Israel. Verse 18 then details a crucial step in this restoration: the people's active role in purifying the land from all forms of idolatry. This external cleansing is immediately followed by the promise in verses 19-20 of an internal, spiritual transformation—God giving them a new heart and a new spirit, enabling them to truly obey His commands. Thus, the verse signifies the practical, immediate consequence of their return and the beginning of a transformed relationship with God, where the defilements that led to their judgment are finally eradicated.
Ezekiel 11 18 Word analysis
And they shall come thither, (וּבָאוּ שָׁם, u-va'u sham):
- And they shall come: (u-va'u) "They will come" or "they came." The verb form indicates a certain future action, often referred to as a "prophetic perfect." It underscores the definite nature of the divine promise—the exiles will return. The 'they' refers to the Israelites whom God promised to gather from among the peoples (v.17).
- thither: (sham) Meaning "there." This specifically points to the land of Israel, the place from which they were exiled, and the destination of God's promised regathering.
and they shall take away (וְהֵסִירוּ, v'he-si'ru):
- This is a Hifil verb, implying causing something to be removed or to put an end to something. It signifies the people's active participation in the purification process, though divinely empowered. It’s not just that the idols disappear; the returned exiles themselves will carry out the task, demonstrating their changed heart.
all the detestable things thereof (כָּל-שִׁקּוּצֶיהָ, kol-shiqqutzeha):
- all: (kol) Emphasizes the totality of the removal; no detestable thing will remain.
- detestable things: (shiqquts, plural shiqqutsim) This Hebrew term specifically refers to abominable idols, cultic images, and objects used in pagan worship that are profoundly offensive and defiling to God (e.g., Jer 16:18, Ezek 5:11). It carries a strong connotation of utter revulsion and something causing profanity. It also implies the objects used in fertility cults and other immoral worship practices common among surrounding nations.
and all the abominations thereof (וְכָל-תּוֹעֲבֹתֶיהָ, v'chol-to'evoteha):
- all: (kol) Again, signifying a complete and comprehensive removal.
- abominations: (to'evah, plural to'evot) This Hebrew word has a broader scope than shiqquts. While it includes idolatry and its associated practices (often in parallel with shiqquts as seen here), it also covers a wider range of things that are morally repugnant, disgusting, or anathema to God, such as unjust weights (Deut 25:16), sexual immorality (Lev 18:22), or false worship. Here, it complements shiqquts, ensuring a total spiritual cleansing of the land, addressing both the idols themselves and the morally corrupt practices they represented or facilitated.
from thence (מִמֶּנָּה, mimmennah):
- "From it" or "from her." The "it" or "her" refers back to the land (implied from "thither"). It reiterates that the removal is from the very land God is restoring to them, making it sacred once more.
Ezekiel 11 18 Bonus section
The active voice used in "they shall take away" indicates human agency, but within the larger prophetic context of Ezekiel, this action is directly facilitated and indeed guaranteed by God's preceding promise to give them a new heart and spirit (Ezek 11:19-20, also 36:26-27). This suggests a collaborative redemption where God empowers and enables His people to fulfill His will for their lives and the land. The prophetic imagery of purging idols and abominations points to a foundational requirement for any true spiritual revival or lasting covenant relationship with God. The land, once polluted by pagan worship, would become a holy space again, mirroring the internal holiness of its inhabitants. This also has Messianic echoes, as ultimately it is Christ who purifies His people and sets apart His kingdom from all defilement, both individually and corporately (cf. Heb 9:14, Rev 21:27).
Ezekiel 11 18 Commentary
Ezekiel 11:18 reveals a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan for Israel, serving as a divine promise and an imperative for the future. Following the divine act of gathering His people from exile, the returned Israelites are empowered to undertake a comprehensive purification of the land. This cleansing targets both specific idolatrous images (shiqqutsim) and broader abominable practices (to'evot) that permeated society and provoked God's judgment, as extensively documented in prior chapters of Ezekiel. The active removal signifies a crucial shift: a willing participation of a transformed people, distinct from their ancestors whose deep-seated idolatry persisted. This external act of cleansing is intrinsically linked to the subsequent promise of an internal "new heart" and "new spirit" (Ezek 11:19-20), highlighting that true physical restoration necessitates spiritual renewal and devoted obedience. The verse underlines that the restoration is not merely geographical but spiritual, ensuring the land is once again fit for the presence of a holy God and for the habitation of a truly repentant people. It underscores that God’s saving work encompasses both external circumstance and internal transformation, enabling a purified worship and living.