Ezekiel 36 35

Ezekiel 36:35 kjv

And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

Ezekiel 36:35 nkjv

So they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.'

Ezekiel 36:35 niv

They will say, "This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited."

Ezekiel 36:35 esv

And they will say, 'This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.'

Ezekiel 36:35 nlt

And when I bring you back, people will say, 'This former wasteland is now like the Garden of Eden! The abandoned and ruined cities now have strong walls and are filled with people!'

Ezekiel 36 verses

Ezekiel 36 35 meaning

This verse describes the future marvel that surrounding nations will utter when they observe the dramatic restoration of the land of Israel. Once utterly devastated due to divine judgment, it will become an abundant paradise, akin to the pristine Garden of Eden. Furthermore, its ruined cities, previously desolate and uninhabitable, will be rebuilt, made secure, and populated once more. This transformation testifies to God's powerful work of restoration.

Ezekiel 36 35 Context

Ezekiel 36 is a pivotal prophecy of hope and restoration delivered to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. Following extensive pronouncements of judgment against Israel (Chs. 1-24) and surrounding nations (Chs. 25-32), this chapter initiates a shift towards divine promises of renewal. God's motivation is primarily for the vindication of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations by Israel's unfaithfulness and subsequent exile. The chapter details a comprehensive restoration, encompassing both spiritual (receiving a new heart and spirit, obedience to laws) and physical (return to the land, agricultural prosperity, rebuilding of cities). Verse 35 specifically highlights the dramatic visible outcome of this restoration as witnessed and acknowledged by the very nations who once mocked Israel's desolation, underscoring the overwhelming and undeniable proof of God's miraculous intervention and power. This display serves to demonstrate God's sovereignty not only to Israel but to the entire world.

Ezekiel 36 35 Word analysis

• "And they shall say": The "they" refers to the surrounding Gentile nations who witnessed Israel's desolation and now observe its miraculous renewal. This statement signifies their astonishment, admiration, and eventual acknowledgment of God's powerful intervention, fulfilling His intent for His glory to be recognized among all peoples (Eze 36:23).

• "This land that was desolate": "Land" (Hebrew: ’eretz, אֶרֶץ) specifically refers to the territory of Israel. "Desolate" (Hebrew: shammah, שָׁמָּה, derived from shamem) points to the severe state of utter destruction, abandonment, and emptiness that resulted from God's judgment and the Babylonian invasion, precisely as foretold in earlier prophecies (Eze 6:14, Lev 26:33).

• "has become like the garden of Eden": "Garden of Eden" (Hebrew: Gan ‘Eden, גַּן עֵדֶן) evokes the primordial paradise of perfect blessing, fertility, beauty, and intimate divine presence (Gen 2-3). This comparison signifies a transformation to an ideal state of lushness, abundance, and divine favor, denoting unprecedented agricultural prosperity and harmonious existence, far surpassing its former condition or typical earthly expectations.

• "and the waste and desolate and ruined cities": A powerful, threefold emphasis on the severity of previous urban destruction.

  • "Waste" (Hebrew: ḥāreḇâ, חָרְבָּה): Conveys utter devastation, a place turned into ruins.
  • "Desolate" (Hebrew: shamem, שָׁמֵם): Highlights emptiness, lack of inhabitants, and abandonment.
  • "Ruined" (Hebrew: nāthats, נָתַץ, implying something completely broken down, torn apart): Reinforces the imagery of utter structural destruction and an uninhabitable state, pointing to total collapse.

• "are now fortified and inhabited": This sharply contrasts with the previous state, emphasizing complete restoration and thriving life.

  • "Fortified" (Hebrew: batsar, בָּצַר): To make inaccessible, fence in, or rebuild defensively, implying restored security and protection from external threats, symbolizing national stability.
  • "Inhabited" (Hebrew: yāšaḇ, יָשַׁב): To dwell, indicating a full return of population, a vibrant community, and the restoration of normal civic and communal life.

• Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "And they shall say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden’": This initial segment captures the amazed reaction of the Gentile observers. It powerfully underlines the miraculous and divine reversal from the depths of devastation to an idyllic paradise, thereby emphasizing the unprecedented and supernatural scale of God's restorative work on the physical landscape, proclaiming His unique power.
  • "‘and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’": This segment elaborates on the equally remarkable urban renewal. It points to the comprehensive nature of the restoration, impacting not just the land's fertility but also the communal centers, providing both physical security through fortification and vibrant community life through renewed habitation. This comprehensive renewal further evidences total national restoration.

Ezekiel 36 35 Bonus section

The prophecy in Ezekiel 36:35 carries a dual fulfillment perspective: a partial, historical fulfillment occurred in the post-exilic return under figures like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, leading to rebuilding and re-population of the land. However, the grandeur of the "Garden of Eden" imagery and the scope of "all around you shall know that I am the LORD" points to an ultimate, eschatological fulfillment in a future Messianic kingdom, possibly during the Millennium, when the earth itself experiences unprecedented blessings. While this verse focuses on the physical land, its spiritual parallel can be seen in the transformation of a person's life from spiritual desolation and ruin by sin into a state of spiritual flourishing and habitation by the Holy Spirit, made secure and purposeful in Christ (Eze 36:26-27). This demonstrates God's consistent character as the restorer and redeemer.

Ezekiel 36 35 Commentary

Ezekiel 36:35 powerfully articulates the sheer magnitude of God's redemptive work for Israel. After enduring a period of severe divine judgment and widespread national devastation, God pledges a complete and profound reversal so spectacular that it will undoubtedly capture the attention and acknowledgment of surrounding Gentile nations. The vivid imagery of the "garden of Eden" elevates the promised blessing beyond simple recovery, envisioning a state of primeval perfection and abundance, which is indicative of God's ultimate and overflowing favor. Simultaneously, the transformation of cities from mere ruins into secure, thriving, and inhabited centers speaks directly to renewed national stability, robust protection, and a vibrant communal existence. This verse stands as an irrefutable declaration that God's covenant faithfulness and immeasurable power decisively transcend all human failings and any external aggressions. It is a profound demonstration that God orchestrates these events ultimately for the vindication of His own holy name, converting what was once defiled and shattered into a glorious testament of His might, boundless mercy, and unparalleled ability to fully restore His cherished people and their devastated land, thus inviting universal recognition of His absolute sovereignty.