Ezekiel 20:48 kjv
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
Ezekiel 20:48 nkjv
All flesh shall see that I, the LORD, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched." ' "
Ezekiel 20:48 niv
Everyone will see that I the LORD have kindled it; it will not be quenched.'?"
Ezekiel 20:48 esv
All flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it; it shall not be quenched."
Ezekiel 20:48 nlt
And everyone in the world will see that I, the LORD, have set this fire. It will not be put out.'"
Ezekiel 20 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 35:1 | "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad;" | Prophetic imagery of restoration and joy |
| Isaiah 35:7 | "And the parched ground shall become a pool," | Transformation of desolate lands |
| Isaiah 51:3 | "For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places;" | Divine comfort for desolation |
| Jeremiah 31:12 | "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together;" | Joy and celebration of restoration |
| Psalms 96:12 | "Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein:" | Universal rejoicing in God's work |
| Psalms 107:35 | "He turneth the wilderness into a pool of water, and the dry land into springs of water;" | God's power to create abundance from scarcity |
| John 1:16 | "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." | Fulfillment through Christ's abundance |
| Romans 8:19 | "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." | Creation's longing for redemption |
| Revelation 21:4 | "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;" | Future eradication of sorrow and suffering |
| Revelation 21:5 | "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." | God's promise of complete renewal |
| Joel 2:22 | "Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things." | Divine encouragement amidst hardship |
| Zechariah 10:1 | "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain;" | Prayer for God's provision and blessing |
| Luke 10:34 | "And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him." | Illustration of bringing healing to the wounded |
| Genesis 1:2 | "And the earth was without form, and void;" | State of desolation before creation |
| Genesis 13:10 | "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well favoured..." | Appreciation of fertile land |
| Joshua 1:2 | "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them..." | God giving a land of abundance |
| Psalm 72:6 | "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth." | Messiah's blessings described as refreshing rain |
| Isaiah 55:13 | "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle tree:" | Symbol of transformed nature |
| Jeremiah 30:17 | "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord;" | God's promise of healing and restoration |
| Haggai 2:19 | "Is the seed yet to the garner? yea, the vine, the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath it not brought forth?" | Expectation of future abundance |
| Matthew 13:43 | "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." | Transformation and glory of the righteous |
Ezekiel 20 verses
Ezekiel 20 48 Meaning
The prophet Ezekiel is given a vision that foreshows the future restoration of Israel. This specific verse, often translated as "Then shall the wilderness and the dry land rejoice; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose," speaks prophetically of a transformed land and a renewed people, signifying a time of great joy and fertility brought about by divine intervention and presence. It points to a literal and spiritual flourishing in the land of Israel, echoing themes of hope and redemption found throughout Scripture.
Ezekiel 20 48 Context
Ezekiel 20:48 is the concluding verse of a lengthy chapter in which Ezekiel confronts Israel with their persistent history of idolatry and rebellion against God, even after their deliverance from Egypt and their entrance into the promised land. God recounts His faithfulness and patience despite their transgressions. The chapter moves from detailing Israel's sins to outlining the consequences and finally to speaking of a future hope. Verse 48, therefore, is part of God's promise of future restoration and revival for the land of Israel, signifying a time when desolation will turn to flourishing, mirroring the land's former glory and even exceeding it, a foreshadowing of the messianic era.
Ezekiel 20 48 Word Analysis
- וְגַם (wə-gam): "and also" or "and moreover." This is a conjunction that adds emphasis, connecting this statement of future joy to the preceding declarations of divine judgment and promise of restoration.
- שָׁמָּה (shāmmah): "there" or "thither." It refers to the land of Israel, specifically the desolate wilderness and desert areas that are the focus of the prophetic promise.
- הַמִּדְבָּר (ham-midbar): "the wilderness." This term denotes an uncultivated, arid, and often uninhabited region. It symbolizes a state of barrenness, desolation, and hardship.
- וְהָאֲרָצָה (wə-hā-’ā·rə·ṣāh): "and the land" (feminine form, likely referring to the arid or dry land). This specifies the geographical setting further, emphasizing its parched state.
- וְצָמְחָה (wə-ṣām·ə·ḥāh): "and it shall sprout" or "and it shall grow." This is the Piel perfect of צָמַח (tsamach), meaning to sprout, to grow, or to blossom. It indicates an active and significant resurgence of life and vegetation.
- וְרִנְּנָה (wə-rin·nāh): "and shall exult" or "and shall sing for joy." From the root רוּן (run), meaning to sing aloud or shout for joy. It personifies the land, attributing to it an emotional response of happiness and rejoicing.
- הָעֲרָבָה (hā·‘ă·rā·wāh): "the desert" or "the plain," often referring to a dry, arid steppe or desert region.
- וּפָרְחָה (ū·fār·ə·ḥāh): "and it shall bloom" or "and it shall flourish." From the root פָּרַח (parach), meaning to blossom, to break forth, or to be in bloom. This conveys a sense of beauty and vibrancy.
- כְּחֲבַצֶּלֶת (kə-ḥă·ḇa·ṣə·ləth): "as a rose" or "like a lily" or "like the crocus." The exact identification of חֲבַצֶּלֶת (chavatzelet) is debated, but it universally signifies a beautiful, fragrant, and striking flower. It is a symbol of beauty, preciousness, and delight. The comparison is to the remarkable and vivid blooming seen in desert regions after rainfall, signifying unexpected and prolific beauty.
Ezekiel 20 48 Bonus Section
The contrast between the desolation of the wilderness and the beauty of the blossoming flower is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, emphasizing the magnitude of God's power to restore and renew. This verse has often been interpreted as a type or foreshadowing of the spiritual rebirth that occurs when individuals come to faith in Christ, turning their spiritually barren lives into gardens of righteousness. The land's fertility is intricately linked to God's blessing and presence, a theme that extends to the blessing of His people. The term "chavatzelet" is rich in symbolism, representing preciousness, beauty, and something delicate yet strong enough to flourish in arid conditions. This speaks to God's ability to bring forth beauty and life even in the most unlikely circumstances. The joyous rejoicing of the land itself underscores the complete and pervasive nature of God's salvation, which affects all creation.
Ezekiel 20 48 Commentary
This verse offers a stark contrast to the prevalent condition of desolation described earlier in the chapter and throughout the history of Israel's dealings with the wilderness. The wilderness and the dry land are personified as inanimate entities capable of rejoicing and blossoming. This is not a mere poetic flourish but a divine assurance that God's redemptive power will transform the very landscape of Israel, making it a place of abundant life and beauty. The "wilderness" and "dry land" represent not only the physical terrain but also the spiritual condition of a people who have wandered in a spiritual desert. The prophetic imagery of flourishing "as a rose" (or lily/crocus) suggests a beauty, fragrance, and prolificacy that will characterize this restored land and people, far exceeding its prior state. It is a promise that echoes the creation account, where God brought forth life and beauty from chaos, and it points forward to the ultimate renewal described in the New Testament, where creation itself will be freed from its bondage to corruption. This transformation is a direct consequence of God's presence and active intervention.