Ezekiel 11:21 kjv
But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 11:21 nkjv
But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 11:21 niv
But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Ezekiel 11:21 esv
But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 11:21 nlt
But as for those who long for vile images and detestable idols, I will repay them fully for their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!"
Ezekiel 11 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 11:17 | “Therefore say, Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” | Directly related to the promise of return. |
| Ezek 11:18 | “And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations.” | Specific to removal of idolatry. |
| Ezek 36:26 | “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” | Echoes the promise of a new heart and spirit. |
| Jer 31:33 | “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” | Theme of God's law on their hearts. |
| Deut 30:6 | “And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you may love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” | Promise of heart circumcision and loving God. |
| Isa 60:21 | “Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” | Righteousness and permanent inheritance. |
| Zech 7:11-12 | “But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears so that they might not hear. They made their hearts like adamant, lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts sent by his Spirit through the former prophets.” | Contrasts stubbornness with future obedience. |
| Acts 15:8-9 | “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, when he purified their hearts by faith.” | Purification of hearts by faith. |
| Rom 12:2 | “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” | Transformation and discernment. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” | The work of the Spirit in the believer. |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” | Sanctification and justification. |
| Eph 4:23-24 | “to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” | Renewal of the mind and new self. |
| Col 3:10 | “and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” | Renewal in knowledge and likeness of God. |
| Heb 10:16 | “'I will put my laws into their hearts, and I will write them on their minds'” | God's law inscribed internally. |
| Phil 4:7 | “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” | God's peace guarding hearts and minds. |
| Ps 51:10 | “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” | Prayer for a clean heart and right spirit. |
| 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.” | A heart to know God and return to Him. |
| Hos 2:20 | “And I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.” | Betrothal in faithfulness and knowing God. |
| Joel 2:28-29 | “'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.'” | Pouring out of the Spirit. |
| John 4:23-24 | “But the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.” | True worship in spirit and truth. |
Ezekiel 11 verses
Ezekiel 11 21 Meaning
This verse speaks of God's judgment upon His people who have embraced idolatry and the wickedness of surrounding nations. Their hearts are characterized by a double loyalty, turning away from God to worship idols. The Lord declares His intention to deal with them according to their actions, specifically mentioning the removal of the detestable things that have defiled them and the granting of a new spirit and a single heart to the remnant. This signifies both judgment for their sin and a promise of future restoration and purified devotion for those who remain faithful.
Ezekiel 11 21 Context
Ezekiel 11 is set during the Babylonian exile. The prophet is in Babylon, but he receives visions from God concerning events in Jerusalem. In chapter 11, Ezekiel is shown the wicked princes of Jerusalem who are plotting evil and are known as "scum" and "pots." The people are reassured that they are not abandoned, and the prophet is shown the future restoration of a remnant of Israel. This verse, 11:21, is part of God's declaration of judgment upon those who persist in their detestable practices, contrasting this judgment with the promise of a purified remnant who will receive a new heart and spirit. This transition from judgment to restoration is a key theme in Ezekiel's prophecy, highlighting God's faithfulness despite His people's unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 11 21 Word Analysis
"But as for those whose hearts walk with the detestable things and the abominations:"
- "detestable things" (Hebrew: shiqqūts) refers to something abominable, particularly idols and their associated cultic practices, which evoke disgust and defilement in God's sight.
- "abominations" (Hebrew: toʻēḇāh) signifies something detestable, loathsome, offensive to God, often related to idolatry and pagan practices that violate divine law. These terms highlight the profound spiritual corruption within Jerusalem.
"I will return their conduct upon their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.
- "conduct" (Hebrew: maʻalāl) refers to actions, deeds, or behavior. This signifies that God will hold them accountable for their evil ways. The idea is a direct recompense for their chosen path.
"Behold, they were full of the cities of Israel.”
- This phrase likely refers to the pervasive nature of the sin within the cities of Jerusalem and other centers of Israelite population. The detestable things and abominations were not isolated incidents but characterized the populace.
"they did them,”
- A concise statement emphasizing their active participation and culpability in these evil acts.
"and I will scatter them among the nations.”
- This refers to the divine judgment of exile and dispersion, a consequence of their unfaithfulness and the defilement of the land.
"to give them a new heart and a single heart” (This part refers to the remnant, and though it follows in some translations, it’s in contrast to the previous phrase.)
- "a new heart" (Hebrew: lēḇ ḥadāš) signifies a complete transformation, an inner change, turning from sin to righteousness.
- "a single heart" (Hebrew: lēḇ ʾēḥād) implies undivided loyalty, a pure and focused devotion to God alone, free from the double-mindedness and compromise seen in the wicked.
"to worship Me in spirit and truth,” (Implicit outcome of the new heart)
- This points to authentic worship originating from within, unhindered by external forms or corrupted motives, as fulfilled in the New Testament.
Ezekiel 11 21 Bonus Section
The specific phrase "full of the cities of Israel; they did them" underscores the systemic nature of the sin that led to judgment. It wasn't just a few individuals, but a culture that had embraced impurity. This emphasizes the seriousness of corporate sin. The concept of a "single heart" is also significant in contrast to the "double heart" (Psalm 12:2), indicating a lack of sincerity and divided loyalty which God abhors. The promise of a new heart and spirit points forward to the ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant, where the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in obedience and worship God in spirit and truth. The judgment described for the unfaithful also serves as a stark warning against persistent apostasy.
Ezekiel 11 21 Commentary
This verse marks a pivot in Ezekiel's message, distinguishing between the unrepentant and the future purified remnant. The wicked princes and their followers are characterized by deeply ingrained idolatry and apostasy, so much so that their very hearts are aligned with abominations. God's judgment for this is clear: their deeds will be met with consequence, and they will be dispersed among the nations, signifying their removal from the land they defiled. However, a stark contrast is immediately presented: for those who will eventually form the remnant, God promises a profound internal transformation. He will grant them a "new heart" and a "single heart," enabling them to worship Him genuinely and exclusively. This represents a shift from outward compliance (which they failed at) to inward regeneration, a core tenet of the New Covenant, ensuring true and devoted allegiance to God.