Ezekiel 20 15

Ezekiel 20:15 kjv

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;

Ezekiel 20:15 nkjv

So I also raised My hand in an oath to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, 'flowing with milk and honey,' the glory of all lands,

Ezekiel 20:15 niv

Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land I had given them?a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands?

Ezekiel 20:15 esv

Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands,

Ezekiel 20:15 nlt

But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would not bring them into the land I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful place on earth.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 15 Meaning

This verse signifies God's covenant faithfulness, His patient discipline with Israel, and His ultimate intent for their spiritual cleansing and obedience. It speaks to a time of severe judgment followed by restoration and renewed commitment to God's statutes.

Ezekiel 20 15 Context

This verse from Ezekiel 20:15 occurs within a larger prophetic message to the elders of Israel. Ezekiel is recounting Israel's history of disobedience and God's persistent faithfulness and judgment. Specifically, chapter 20 details God's covenants with Israel, their subsequent rebellions, and the consequences of their actions, leading to their exile. This particular verse highlights a moment in the wilderness where God's judgment was expressed, and a conditional aspect of His covenant. The ultimate message is about God’s sovereignty, His holy requirements, and His desire for His people's salvation and sanctification.

Ezekiel 20 15 Word Analysis

• "Then" (אָז - az): Indicates a temporal sequence, marking a specific point or period in the past, referring to the time of their sojourn in the wilderness after the Exodus.
• "I said" (אָמַרְתִּי - amarti): First-person singular, imperfect of the verb אָמַר (amar), meaning "to say" or "to speak." This emphasizes God personally addressing and commanding Israel.
• "to them" (לָהֶם - lahem): Refers to the entire nation of Israel present in the wilderness.
• "in the wilderness" (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bamidbar): Specifies the geographical and historical setting – the wilderness of Sinai/Paran, after their exodus from Egypt and before entering the Promised Land.
• "Do not" (אַל - al): A strong negative prohibition, conveying a command to refrain.
• "defile" (טִמְּאוּ - tim'u): Second-person masculine plural, Hiphil, imperative of the verb טָמֵא (tame), meaning "to make unclean," "to defile," "to profane." This verb carries strong connotations of desecrating something holy, making it impure and unfit for God's presence or service. It specifically refers to their behavior during the wilderness wanderings.
• "My Sabbaths" (אֶת־שַׁבְּתוֹתַי - et-shabbatotai): "Shabbatot" is the plural of שַׁבָּת (shabbat), meaning Sabbath. The possessive suffix "-ai" ("My") emphasizes that the Sabbath is uniquely God's institution, holy and belonging to Him. The plural might refer to the regular weekly Sabbaths and other appointed Sabbaths or feast days.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Do not defile My Sabbaths": This is a direct prohibition against desecrating the Sabbath day. The implication is that Israel was prone to or actively engaged in activities that would make the Sabbath unclean or less than holy. This act would not just be a minor infraction but a profound insult to God's holiness and the covenant relationship. The focus on "My Sabbaths" underlines God's ownership and the sanctity of this command.

Ezekiel 20 15 Bonus Section

The concept of defiling the Sabbath, as expressed here, relates directly to how physical actions could signify spiritual rebellion. In Jewish tradition and Rabbinic thought, this includes actions like carrying loads, cultivating land, or engaging in commerce on the Sabbath. The prophet's warning underscores that a genuine relationship with God involves respecting His appointed times and His statutes. The repeated mention of the wilderness serves as a constant reminder of Israel’s early testings and their initial failures to fully trust and obey God. This verse, by referencing past transgressions, prepares the audience for God's subsequent actions to purify and restore them, ensuring they would ultimately keep His statutes and His judgments. The wilderness context also serves as a prelude to a new covenant where obedience would be internalized rather than merely an external observance, fulfilled in Christ who is Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28).

Ezekiel 20 15 Commentary

Ezekiel reminds Israel of a crucial command given during their wilderness sojourn: to keep the Sabbaths holy. God declared the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between Him and Israel (Exodus 31:13). Their participation in unauthorized labor or profanation of this sacred day would indicate a deep disregard for God's law and their covenant commitment. This was not just about a day of rest; it was a signpost of their separation unto God and their dependence on Him, rather than their own labor or ingenuity. The persistent theme in Ezekiel is that Israel’s sin, including the desecration of God's commands like the Sabbath, led to His judgment and their exile. Yet, God's ultimate purpose in sending such chastisement was to bring them to repentance and a renewed appreciation for His holiness and His word, thereby setting them apart for Himself.