Ezekiel 20 10

Ezekiel 20:10 kjv

Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:10 nkjv

"Therefore I made them go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:10 niv

Therefore I led them out of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:10 esv

So I led them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:10 nlt

So I brought them out of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 10 Meaning

Ezekiel 20:10 concisely states God's direct, powerful act of delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and subsequently guiding them into the wilderness. This verse encapsulates the foundational events of the Exodus, highlighting divine initiative and care. It marks a critical transition from slavery and idolatry in Egypt to a period of testing, revelation, and formation for the nascent nation in the desolate, yet divinely provided for, wilderness.

Ezekiel 20 10 Context

Ezekiel 20 presents a historical overview of Israel's relationship with God, delivered as an oracle to the elders of Israel. The elders approach Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord, but God emphatically refuses to be inquired of by them due to their continued idolatry (Ezek 20:1-3). Instead, God instructs Ezekiel to declare judgment upon them and to remind them of their rebellious history, stretching back to Egypt. The chapter recounts Israel's persistent disobedience, specifically focusing on their rejection of God's statutes and their pursuit of idols from the time they were in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the promised land. Despite their repeated rebellion, God repeatedly restrained His wrath for His name's sake. Verse 10 specifically describes the first two pivotal acts of God's saving grace and intervention after their time in Egypt, before detailing their subsequent failures. It sets the stage for the narrative of God's steadfast commitment to His covenant, juxtaposed against Israel's recurring unfaithfulness.

Ezekiel 20 10 Word analysis

• So I brought them out (וָאוֹצִיאֵם - Va'otzi'em):

  • Vav conjunction: "And" or "So," indicating a continuation or consequence. Here, it follows God's refusal to be defiled, showing His initial gracious act despite previous conditions (though the chapter's focus is on Israel's sin in Egypt).
  • I brought out (אָוֹצִיא - otzi'): The verb yatsa (יָצָא) in the Hiphil causative stem. This emphasizes divine initiative and power. It's an active, powerful verb of "causing to come out." The "I" is Yahweh, the sovereign God. This action signifies liberation, deliverance, and a clear break from their past.
  • Them (ֵאֶם - em): Refers to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the nation of Israel, at that time enslaved in Egypt. The collective "them" highlights God's communal covenant with Israel.

• of the land of Egypt (מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם - Me'erets Mitsrayim):

  • From the land (מֵאֶרֶץ - Me'erets): Emphasizes geographical origin and departure.
  • Egypt (מִצְרָיִם - Mitsrayim): A concrete symbol of oppression, slavery, and paganism. It represented the ultimate human power that God overcame. Coming "out of Egypt" is a foundational identity marker for Israel, demonstrating God's redemptive power and ownership over them. It also highlights the direct polemic against the powerful Egyptian pantheon, especially Pharaoh's claim of divinity and absolute power. Yahweh demonstrated His supremacy over all Egyptian deities and Pharaoh himself through the plagues and the Exodus.

• and led them (וָאָבִיאֵם - Va'avi'em):

  • Vav conjunction: "And," continuing the narrative of divine action.
  • I led (אָבִיא - avi'): From the verb bo (בוא), meaning "to come, to enter," in the Hiphil causative stem. It signifies "to cause to come in" or "to bring." In this context, it implies direct, active guidance and presence. God wasn't just freeing them; He was actively leading them to their next destination. This act implies divine commitment beyond mere liberation.
  • Them: Again, referring to the entire community of Israel.

• into the wilderness (אֶל הַמִּדְבָּר - El hammidbar):

  • Into (אֶל - El): Preposition indicating direction, movement towards a place.
  • The wilderness (הַמִּדְבָּר - hamidbar): Midbar is not merely an empty space but a significant theological location. It was a place of divine provision (manna, water), divine law (Sinai covenant), testing, spiritual discipline, and covenant renewal. It served as a crucible for the formation of Israel's national identity under Yahweh. It also contrasted sharply with the fertility and idolatry of Egypt, preparing them for a holy nation in a holy land.

Ezekiel 20 10 Bonus section

The journey from Egypt to the wilderness, though presented as a continuous, deliberate act of God, also contained within it the seeds of Israel's rebellion. The wilderness period, while marked by divine provision and presence, became a setting for persistent complaints and idolatry, which the subsequent verses in Ezekiel 20 detail. This verse acts as a solemn reminder to the current generation in exile that God's faithful acts (bringing out, leading) were met with continuous human failure, a pattern repeated throughout their history. This initial act of deliverance from Egypt serves as the archetype for future deliverances and the foundation for all covenant obligations. The phrase "I brought them out... and led them..." underscores the holistic nature of God's salvation – it includes both liberation from a past state and guidance towards a future purpose, not merely a single event.

Ezekiel 20 10 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:10 encapsulates two foundational pillars of Israel's identity and their covenant relationship with God: divine deliverance and divine guidance. God's declaration, "I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness," establishes His sovereign initiative. It's a powerful statement of redemptive action, demonstrating His might over the dominant power of Egypt and His faithful care for His chosen people. The movement from "Egypt" (bondage, idolatry) to "the wilderness" (a place of reliance, instruction, and spiritual formation) highlights a shift in status from slaves to a covenant people under Yahweh's direct supervision. This was not a passive release, but an active, purposeful journey orchestrated by God for the purification and preparation of His people. It serves as a concise summary of the critical events upon which Israel's entire national narrative and theological understanding were built, and which continued to shape their spiritual trajectory and their understanding of God's steadfast character despite their unfaithfulness.