Ezekiel 11:20 kjv
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:20 nkjv
that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:20 niv
Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:20 esv
that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11:20 nlt
so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.
Ezekiel 11 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eze 11:19 | "I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them;" | Immediate preceding context |
| Eze 36:26 | "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you;" | Echoes the promise of a new heart |
| Jer 31:33 | "I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;" | New Covenant promise |
| Zech 8:8 | "And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem;" | Fulfillment of dwelling in Zion |
| John 6:44 | "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." | Divine drawing for relationship |
| Rom 8:15-16 | "But you received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba!'" | Inner witness of adoption |
| 2 Cor 3:3 | "You are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit..." | Spirit as the writing medium |
| Gal 4:6 | "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts..." | Spirit testifies sonship |
| Heb 8:10 | "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel..." | New Covenant explained |
| Heb 8:13 | "In that he said, 'A new covenant he has made the first obsolete.'" | Newness of the covenant |
| 1 Pet 1:22 | "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart," | Purity of heart in love |
| 1 John 3:21 | "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;" | Assurance from a clear conscience |
| Rev 21:3-4 | "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.'" | God dwelling with His people |
| Jer 24:7 | "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart." | Similar promise of relationship |
| Isa 43:20-21 | "The wild beasts of the desert will honor me... to give drink to my people, my chosen... this people I have formed for myself, that they may declare my praise." | Chosen for divine purpose |
| Eze 14:11 | "So that the house of Israel may no more go astray from me, nor again defile themselves with all their transgressions, but that they may be my people and I their God, declares the Lord God." | Security from straying |
| 1 Chron 29:18 | "O Lord, God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep forever the true hope of your people Israel, and grant them an even steadier heart." | Prayer for a steadfast heart |
| Ps 51:10 | "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." | Prayer for a new heart |
| Rom 10:9 | "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." | Confession and belief in the heart |
Ezekiel 11 verses
Ezekiel 11 20 Meaning
This verse promises a new covenant and a new heart for the returned exiles, distinguishing them as God's people and God as their God. This is a deeply theological statement about divine grace and intimate relationship.
Ezekiel 11 20 Context
Ezekiel 11 is set during the Babylonian exile. The prophet is transported in a vision to Jerusalem and witnesses the idolatry and corruption within the city. He condemns the corrupt leaders, pronounces judgment on the remaining inhabitants, and pronounces doom on the false prophets. However, amidst this severe judgment, Ezekiel offers a message of hope and restoration. Verse 20, coming after the pronouncement of judgment on the unfaithful, signifies a turning point in the chapter, looking towards the future restoration and the establishment of a new covenant relationship between God and His people. This promise is deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship God had with Israel, which had been broken by their sin.
Ezekiel 11 20 Word Analysis
- "And": (Hebrew: וְ , wə) - A common conjunctive particle, linking this statement to the preceding promise of a new spirit and new heart. It shows a continuation and elaboration of God's restorative work.
- "they shall": (Hebrew: הֵ֠מָּה , hēm/ , יִהְי֛וּ , yihyū*) - Denotes a future certainty of these actions taking place by God's design and power.
- "be": (Hebrew: יִהְי֛וּ , yihyū) - The future tense of the verb "to be," indicating the establishment of a new reality or state.
- "my people": (Hebrew: לְעַמִּי֙ , ləʿammî) - This phrase is a cornerstone of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants. It signifies a unique, divinely chosen, redeemed, and intimate relationship where God claims them and they belong to Him. In this context, it signifies a restored and purified people.
- "and": (Hebrew: וְ , wə) - Again, a conjunctive particle linking the two reciprocal statements of belonging.
- "I will be": (Hebrew: אֲנִ֥י , ’ānî/ , אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם , ’ĕlōhêhēm) - This is the emphatic first-person pronoun "I," stressing God's personal and active involvement in this relationship.
- "their God.": (Hebrew: אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם , ’ĕlōhêhēm) - The plural "gods" combined with the plural possessive "their" signifies God's plurality of personhood, yet emphasizing His unique role as the singular God for them. It denotes ownership, protection, provision, and divine guidance. This reciprocal statement, "my people... my God," is the essence of the covenant.
Ezekiel 11 20 Bonus Section
This verse foreshadows the New Covenant extensively. The assurance of "my people" and "their God" encapsulates the essence of this new relationship in Christ. Jesus' ministry, particularly His sacrifice and resurrection, effectively redeems humanity and offers a clean slate, enabling believers to enter into this intimate covenant. The New Testament writers frequently refer to this concept, applying it to the Church as the true Israel. This promise is not merely a historical declaration but an ongoing reality for all who place their faith in God, signifying a profound and intimate connection.
Ezekiel 11 20 Commentary
Ezekiel 11:20 culminates the assurance of future restoration after pronouncements of judgment. It highlights a transformative renewal of God's relationship with His people. The core of this promise lies in the establishment of a definitive covenant wherein God declares them unequivocally "my people" and reciprocally claims Himself as "their God." This isn't just a change in external circumstances but an internal transformation (the new heart and spirit mentioned prior) that facilitates a deeper, more authentic, and unbreakable fellowship. It speaks to God's faithfulness despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is found in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, where believers are indeed God's people and He dwells among them through His Spirit.