Ezekiel 36 32

Ezekiel 36:32 kjv

Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

Ezekiel 36:32 nkjv

Not for your sake do I do this," says the Lord GOD, "let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel!"

Ezekiel 36:32 niv

I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!

Ezekiel 36:32 esv

It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.

Ezekiel 36:32 nlt

But remember, says the Sovereign LORD, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!

Ezekiel 36 verses

Ezekiel 36 32 Meaning

This verse promises that God will remember His covenant and the land of Israel, bringing them back from exile and restoring them to their land. This restoration will be an act of grace, not based on their merit, and will cleanse them from their uncleanness. The result will be a land once desolate made fruitful, a symbol of their spiritual renewal and relationship with God.

Ezekiel 36 32 Context

Ezekiel chapter 36 is a prophetic oracle concerning the restoration of Israel and the land after its devastation and the exile of its people. The prophet is envisioning a future where God will vindicate His name among the nations by cleansing His people and restoring their land, which had been defiled. This specific verse, 36:32, falls within a section of restoration promises. It follows the announcement of God making His dwelling among them again (v. 28) and providing abundant blessings and renewal. The surrounding verses describe the land being tilled and sown, becoming like the Garden of Eden, and God’s people multiplying and rebuilding cities. This promise of remembrance and renewal is a core theme of the latter half of Ezekiel's prophecy, addressing the post-exilic hope. Historically, this speaks to the hope of return from Babylonian captivity, but it also carries a deeper, eschatological fulfillment regarding a final, spiritual restoration.

Ezekiel 36 32 Word Analysis

• Not by your : ( Hebrew: לֹא־מִכֶּם, lo-mikkem) - This phrase emphasizes that the restoration and renewal are entirely God's initiative and sovereign act, not merited by the actions or inherent worth of the Israelites. It highlights divine grace.

• deeds : ( Hebrew: מַעֲלַלְכֶם, ma'alallkem) - Refers to actions or works. Here, it contrasts God's gracious dealings with their own prior misdeeds which led to exile.

• nor by your : ( Hebrew: וְלֹא־מֵאִיתֵיכֶם, welo-me'iteikhem) - Similar to "not by your deeds," this reiterates the lack of human deservingness.

• wickedness : ( Hebrew: עֲוֹנֹתֵיכֶם, avonoteykhem) - Refers to guilt, iniquity, or sin, often in the sense of incurring penalty. This points to the sin that necessitated judgment.

• saith : ( Hebrew: נְאֻם־, ne'um-) - A formulaic expression indicating divine utterance, meaning "declares" or "says the Lord."

• the Lord : ( Hebrew: יְהוָ֑ה, Yahweh) - The personal covenant name of God, signifying His relational aspect and faithfulness.

• but : ( Hebrew: כִּ֠י, ki) - Introduces the reason or basis for the action that follows, which is God's own self-interest and commitment.

• it is I : ( Hebrew: אֲנִ֑י, 'anoki) - A strong emphatic statement of divine identity and presence, asserting His personal involvement.

• that : ( Hebrew: לְמַ֠עַן, lemaal) - Denotes purpose.

• remember : ( Hebrew: אֶזְכַּ֠ר, ezkêr) - To bring to mind, recall, often with the implication of acting upon that remembrance. This is not forgetfulness, but recalling covenant obligations.

• my : ( Hebrew: אֶת־, et-) - Direct object marker.

• covenant : ( Hebrew: בְּרִ֣יתִי, beriti) - Refers to God's binding agreement, specifically the covenant promises made to Abraham and his descendants.

• with : ( Hebrew: עִ֚ם, im) - Indicates accompaniment or connection.

• the house of Israel : ( Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל, Yisra'el) - Refers to the entire nation, encompassing both the northern and southern kingdoms in prophetic scope.

• and I will remember : ( Hebrew: וְזָכַ֘רְתִּ֤י, wəzakartî) - Emphasizes the active aspect of remembering the covenant.

• the land : ( Hebrew: אֶת־, et-) - Direct object marker for "land."

• and will purge you : ( Hebrew: וְטִהַרְתִּ֘י, wəṭiharîtî) - To cleanse, purify. This signifies spiritual and ritual cleansing from idolatry and sin.

• from all : ( Hebrew: מִכֹּ֛ל, mikkol) - Denotes completeness.

• your : ( Hebrew: טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם, ṭum'oteikhem) - Plural of "tûm'â," meaning ritual impurity, uncleanness, defilement. This refers to the moral and spiritual filth that had characterized their history.

• uncleannesses : ( Hebrew: טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם, ṭum'oteikhem) - Reinforces the extensive nature of their defilement.

• and you shall dwell : ( Hebrew: וְשָֽׁׁבְתֶּ֔ם, wəshavtem) - "And you shall dwell" or "return and dwell," indicating a restored state of habitation.

• in the land : ( Hebrew: בָּאָ֔רֶץ, ba'āreṣ) - The specific land promised to the patriarchs.

• that I gave : ( Hebrew: אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֘תִּי, 'ašer nātatti) - Affirms God's original grant of the land.

• to your fathers : ( Hebrew: לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶ֑ם, la'aboteykhem) - Connects the present promise to the patriarchal covenants.

• Group Analysis: Divine Initiative for Restoration and Purity: The opening "Not by your deeds, nor by your wickedness" (לֹא־מִכֶּם...וְלֹא־מֵאִיתֵיכֶם) forms a critical thematic unit. It underscores that the coming salvation is entirely unmerited. This is directly contrasted by God's declaration, "it is I... that remember my covenant" (כִּ֠י אֲנִ֑י... אֶזְכַּ֠ר... בְּרִ֣יתִי). God's remembrance of His covenant is the cause, not Israel's righteousness or lack of sin. The phrase "and will remember the land" (וְזָכַ֘רְתִּ֤י אֶת־הָאָרֶץ) signifies not just a passive recall, but an active engagement with the promise tied to the land. The concluding promise, "and will purge you from all your uncleannesses, and you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers" (וְטִהַרְתִּ֘י... טֻמְאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם, וְשָֽׁׁבְתֶּ֔ם בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֘תִּי לַאֲבֹתֵיכֶ֑ם) connects God's purifying action directly to the restoration of habitation. This linkage emphasizes that cleansed people, on cleansed land, will dwell under God's covenant faithfulness.

Ezekiel 36 32 Bonus Section

The concept of God "remembering" in the Bible does not imply a lapse in His memory, as humans experience. Rather, it signifies His active recall of His promises and His covenant obligations, which prompts Him to act on behalf of His people. This is often linked to God's compassion and faithfulness. For instance, God remembered Noah (Gen 8:1), Israel’s groaning in Egypt (Exo 2:24), and various covenant stipulations. In this verse, God remembers the covenant with Israel and the land, a double focus that highlights the deep interconnectedness of God's promises to His chosen people and the specific territory He designated for them. The cleansing from "uncleannesses" is particularly significant, as ritual purity was essential for the land to be considered holy and for Israel to properly inhabit it and worship God there. This purification points towards the New Covenant promises found in the New Testament, where Christ’s sacrifice purifies believers eternally (Heb 9:14).

Ezekiel 36 32 Commentary

This verse reveals a pivotal truth about God’s dealings with His people. The restoration from exile, and ultimately salvation, is rooted not in human merit but in God’s sovereign grace and faithfulness to His covenant promises. God actively remembers His commitments, even when His people are defined by their sins and defilements. His remembrance leads to His active purification, making way for a renewed dwelling in the promised land. This isn't a legalistic transaction; it’s a divine declaration of love and commitment to reinstate His people into relationship with Him and to their inheritance, emphasizing a thorough cleansing that enables proper relationship. The land itself becomes a recipient of this restorative blessing.