Ezekiel 20 48

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 verses

Ezekiel 20 48 Meaning

Ezekiel 20:48 declares God's undeniable sovereignty and agency over the impending judgment upon Jerusalem and Judah, symbolized as a raging fire that consumes the "forest of the Negeb" (south country). This verse is a powerful assertion that all humanity will ultimately recognize the LORD as the one who ignited this destruction, and crucially, that once His judgment is set in motion, it cannot be stopped or extinguished by any human effort. It signifies a universal revelation of God's justice and power through severe consequences.

Ezekiel 20 48 Context

Ezekiel chapter 20 primarily details God's long history with Israel, recounting their repeated rebellion and idolatry from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. Despite their incessant unfaithfulness, God consistently held back His full wrath for the sake of His holy name. The chapter concludes with a renewed prophecy of severe judgment on Judah and Jerusalem, yet tempered with a future promise of restoration and gathering.

Verses 45-48 specifically introduce this prophecy using a vivid metaphor: the "word of the LORD came to me: 'Son of man, set your face toward the Negeb (south), preach against the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the Negeb. Say to the forest of the Negeb, "Hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am kindling a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree in you and every dry tree... and it shall not be quenched.'" The "forest of the Negeb" symbolizes the nation of Judah/Jerusalem, positioned south of Ezekiel's exilic location in Babylon. The "fire" represents God's purifying and consuming judgment, a direct consequence of their disobedience. Verse 48 serves as the concluding divine affirmation, emphasizing the source and the unyielding nature of this judgment. It ensures the original audience understood that the impending destruction was not random, but an act of the sovereign LORD.

Ezekiel 20 48 Word analysis

• וְיָדְעוּ (v'yād'ū): "Then all shall know." This word signifies not merely intellectual acquaintance but a profound, experiential recognition. It implies an acknowledgment forced by the demonstration of power, leading to a changed perspective. The root יָדַע (yada') is a comprehensive term for knowing, understanding, perceiving, and experiencing. Here, it refers to the universal recognition of God's agency after the judgment.
• כָּל בָּשָׂר (kōl bāsār): "all flesh." This Hebrew phrase universally denotes "all humanity," encompassing everyone. It stresses the global scope of God's impact and the universal understanding of His divine action, reaching beyond Israel to all nations who witness or hear of this judgment. It underscores the demonstration of God's authority to the entire world, not just a localized people.
• כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה (kî 'anî YHWH): "that I, the LORD." This is God's self-declaration, emphasizing His identity, authority, and active involvement. "I" (אֲנִי, 'anî) is a strong emphatic pronoun, signifying God's personal agency. YHWH is the covenant name of God, revealing Him as the unchanging, eternal, and living God who acts decisively in history. This confirms the judgment is not fate or an enemy's power, but God's own will.
• קְדַחְתִּיהָ (qāḏaḥtīhā): "I have kindled it." The root קָדַח (qadach) means "to kindle, to ignite." The verb is in the perfect tense, suggesting a completed action with ongoing effects, affirming that God definitively set this judgment in motion. The feminine singular suffix '-hā' refers to the "fire" mentioned in the preceding verses, identifying God as the initiator of the fiery judgment.
• לֹא תִכְבֶּה (lō' tikveh): "it shall not be quenched." The negative particle לֹא (lo') strongly emphasizes "not." The root כָּבָה (kābah) means "to be quenched, extinguished." This declaration confirms the irreversibility and irresistible nature of the divine judgment once ignited. No human effort, repentance (at that point), or force can stop or lessen the impact of God's decree.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then all flesh shall know" (וְיָדְעוּ כָּל בָּשָׂר): This phrase sets the stage for a universally recognized, experiential truth. It’s a prophecy of understanding, not just for the exiles or their enemies, but for "all flesh." God's judgments often serve as teaching moments for the world.
• "that I the LORD have kindled it" (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה קְדַחְתִּיהָ): This is a direct, undeniable statement of divine agency and authorship of the judgment. It removes any ambiguity: this devastation is from YHWH Himself, demonstrating His sovereignty over historical events and the consequences of sin. The act of "kindling" implies a deliberate, active initiation.
• "it shall not be quenched" (לֹא תִכְבֶּה): This emphasizes the irresistible and final nature of God's decree. Once His judgment begins, there is no stopping it. It speaks to God's unwavering resolve and the impossibility of humans thwarting His declared will. This fire will burn until its purpose is fulfilled.

Ezekiel 20 48 Bonus section

The specific targeting of the "Negeb" is significant. While metaphorically representing Judah/Jerusalem, the geographical "Negeb" was typically an arid, southern region. To speak of a "forest" there, which is then devoured by fire, intensifies the imagery of devastation. It suggests that even in an unlikely place for lush growth, if such growth (representing the people or their institutions) is corrupt, God’s judgment will find and consume it. This highlights that no part of the land or its people is beyond the reach of divine assessment and judgment. The divine judgment's goal of "knowing" implies that the ultimate purpose of even devastating acts of judgment is not just punishment but revelation – bringing a rebellious people and a watching world to a correct understanding of who God is and His sovereign rule over creation and history.

Ezekiel 20 48 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:48 serves as a chilling divine decree, wrapping up a powerful metaphor of judgment. It’s not simply a threat but a resolute declaration that God, Yahweh, is the sole orchestrator of the fiery destruction coming upon Judah (the Negeb forest). The judgment is not an accident of war or mere misfortune; it is specifically "kindled" by God. The emphatic "I the LORD" ensures that there is no misidentification of the source.

Crucially, the outcome will be universal recognition: "all flesh shall know." This extends beyond the immediate recipients of judgment to all who observe or hear of it, understanding the Lord's hand in history. This knowing is not casual; it is born out of experience and the inescapable realization of God's justice and power. The pronouncement, "it shall not be quenched," underscores the irreversible and irresistible nature of this divine action. Once ignited, this fire of judgment will run its course without cessation or diminution until its consuming purpose is achieved. It portrays God as supremely sovereign, carrying out His word without fail, allowing no one to extinguish His wrath until He sees fit. This passage illustrates a core biblical truth: God, when justly provoked by sustained rebellion, will act decisively and powerfully to uphold His holiness, making His authority undeniably known to all.