Ezekiel 36 18

Ezekiel 36:18 kjv

Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:

Ezekiel 36:18 nkjv

Therefore I poured out My fury on them for the blood they had shed on the land, and for their idols with which they had defiled it.

Ezekiel 36:18 niv

So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols.

Ezekiel 36:18 esv

So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood that they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it.

Ezekiel 36:18 nlt

They polluted the land with murder and the worship of idols, so I poured out my fury on them.

Ezekiel 36 verses

Ezekiel 36 18 Meaning

The verse describes the spiritual consequence of the people's actions, signifying a transition from impurity and scattering due to their sins to a renewed relationship with God where He will show His holiness. It highlights God's judgment followed by His gracious intervention, marked by cleansing and a renewed dwelling place.

Ezekiel 36 18 Context

This verse is found within Ezekiel chapters 34-39, which focus on God's judgment against the faithless shepherds (leaders) of Israel and His promise of restoration for His people. Chapter 36 specifically addresses the northern kingdom of Israel, which had been scattered due to their sins. The preceding verses detail how Israel's impurity, specifically their shedding of innocent blood, led to their dispersion among the nations and the defilement of God's land. This verse explains the reason behind their punishment. The promise of restoration follows in the subsequent verses, involving cleansing, a new spirit, and God dwelling among them once again.

Ezekiel 36 18 Word analysis

• וּבְנֵיהֶם (u-v'neihem): "and their sons" or "and their children." This indicates the continuation of sin and its consequences, affecting future generations who are caught in the impurity.

• שָׁפְכ֗וּ (shof'khu): "they shed" or "they poured out." This Hebrew root (שׁפך) is often used for pouring liquids, but here it specifically refers to the violent act of shedding blood, particularly innocent blood.

• דָּם (dam): "blood." In the Old Testament, blood is often associated with life itself and with sin and impurity, especially when shed unjustly. It cried out for justice.

• בָּאָרֶץ (ba'arets): "in the land." Refers to the land of Israel, which God had given to His people. Their shedding of blood defiled this covenant land, which was considered holy.

• וּבְטֻמְאָתָם (u-v'tum'atam): "and by their uncleanness" or "and by their impurity." This links their physical actions (shedding blood) to their spiritual and moral state of impurity. Tuma (טומאה) signifies ritual or moral defilement.

• כִּי־עָשִׂיתִם (ki-asitem): "because they did" or "for they made." This is a causative phrase, linking the ensuing judgment to their past actions.

• אֹתָם ('otam): "them." Referring to the people of Israel.

• טְמָאֹת (t'ma'ot): "impure" or "defiled." This is the plural feminine form of the adjective describing the state of the land due to their actions.

• אֹתָהּ ('otah): "it" or "her." Refers back to the land. The land itself became impure because of the sins committed upon it.

• Words group analysis:

  • "shed their blood in the land": This phrase strongly emphasizes the desecration of the promised land through violence. The land, a gift from God, was meant for His people and was sacred. The spilling of innocent blood rendered it ritually unclean, calling for divine response.
  • "and their impurity": This connects the physical act of violence to their ongoing state of moral and spiritual corruption, encompassing idolatry and other forms of disobedience.
  • "made it impure": The impurity was not just abstract; it had tangible consequences for the land itself, leading to its desolation and exile of its people.

Ezekiel 36 18 Bonus section

The concept of blood defiling the land is significant in Levitical law. In Leviticus 18:25, it states, "And the land became defiled, and I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants." This imagery highlights how extreme the sin was that even the land itself rejected them. Furthermore, the connection between blood and sin is fundamental to understanding atonement in the Old Testament, where blood was required for covering sins (Hebrews 9:22). Ezekiel 36:18’s focus on shed blood connects the specific historical sins of Israel to the broader theological themes of sin, judgment, and the need for atonement and cleansing, ultimately pointing to Christ's atoning sacrifice as the complete solution. The "uncleanness" (טומאה - tuma) described here also relates to ritual impurity, indicating how their moral corruption rendered them unable to approach or be in God's presence within the land.

Ezekiel 36 18 Commentary

Ezekiel 36:18 serves as a crucial explanation for Israel's exile. God, in His holiness and faithfulness to His covenant, could not overlook the pervasive violence and impurity that characterized the people. The shedding of innocent blood was a grievous sin that cried out for vengeance. This sin defiled the land, making it unfit for habitation by God's people. Consequently, God poured out His righteous wrath upon them. This verse underscores that divine judgment is a direct response to sin, particularly sin that deeply wounds both individuals and the sacred covenant relationship God established. It sets the stage for God's promise of purification and restoration in the following verses, where He will act not for their sake, but for His own holy name's sake, cleansing them and bringing them back.

• Practical application: Just as the land was defiled by sin, our lives can be defiled by unconfessed sin. Acknowledging our impurities, like the shedding of blood or other grave sins, is the first step toward spiritual cleansing and restoration, which God offers through Christ.