Ezekiel 36 38

Ezekiel 36:38 kjv

As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 36:38 nkjv

Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem on its feast days, so shall the ruined cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they shall know that I am the LORD." ' "

Ezekiel 36:38 niv

as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 36:38 esv

Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 36:38 nlt

They will be as numerous as the sacred flocks that fill Jerusalem's streets at the time of her festivals. The ruined cities will be crowded with people once more, and everyone will know that I am the LORD."

Ezekiel 36 verses

Ezekiel 36 38 meaning

Ezekiel 36:38 presents a powerful prophecy concerning the profound restoration of Israel. It declares that the formerly desolate and empty cities will be dramatically repopulated with such an overwhelming number of people that their multitude will be comparable to the immense flocks of consecrated animals brought to Jerusalem for sacrifices during its major appointed feasts. This remarkable transformation, from utter desolation to bustling abundance, is proclaimed as irrefutable evidence that Yahweh alone is the sovereign Lord, who accomplishes His will through acts of divine power and faithfulness.

Ezekiel 36 38 Context

Ezekiel chapter 36 delivers a comprehensive message of restoration and spiritual renewal for the exiled nation of Israel. Leading up to verse 38, God first pronounces judgment against the nations that mocked Israel's desolation and coveted her land (Eze 36:1-7). He then shifts to promises of restoring the land itself, making it fruitful and inhabitable again (Eze 36:8-12). This physical restoration is then inextricably linked to Israel's spiritual renewal, where God pledges to cleanse them, replace their stony hearts with hearts of flesh, put His Spirit within them, and enable them to obey His laws (Eze 36:24-28). The immediate preceding verses (Eze 36:29-37) reiterate the land's prosperity, a superabundant harvest, and the rebuilding of waste cities, emphasizing that this is done for God's holy name, which was profaned during the exile. Verse 38 provides a final, vivid illustration of this physical restoration: the previously barren and abandoned cities will be teeming with a populace so numerous it would awe anyone who recalled the glory days of Jerusalem's festive gatherings. This promise of overwhelming population growth serves as a definitive sign of divine intervention and a powerful conclusion to God's oath of faithfulness.

Ezekiel 36 38 Word analysis

• As (כְּ) (kə): A comparative particle meaning "like" or "in the manner of." It sets up a striking analogy.
• the flock (צֹאן) (ṣō’n): Refers to a gathering of sheep or goats. In the ancient world, it symbolized abundance, wealth, and a pastoral way of life.
• of holy things (קָדָשִׁים) (qāḏāšîm): This key term means "consecrated" or "sacred things." In context, it primarily signifies the vast number of sacrificial animals designated for God's worship, especially at the Temple during national feasts, emphasizing both their quantity and religious significance.
• as (כְּ) (kə): Repeating the comparative particle reinforces the force of the simile.
• the flock (צֹאן) (ṣō’n): Reiterates the image of numerous animals.
• of Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם) (yə·rū·šā·la·yim): The capital city, a sacred and national center. Its mention conjures images of vibrant life and bustling religious activity during peak times.
• in her appointed feasts (מֹועֲדֶיהָ) (mō·wă·ḏe·hā): Mo'adim (plural of mo'ed) refers to the divinely ordained annual festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles). These were periods of national pilgrimage, attracting an immense influx of people and sacrificial animals to Jerusalem, making the city a hub of unparalleled density and activity.
• so (כֵּן) (kên): An adverb meaning "thus" or "in this manner," it creates a direct link, indicating that the preceding comparison illustrates the coming reality.
• shall the waste cities (וְהֶעָרִים הַנֶּשָּׁמוֹת) (wə·he·‘ā·rîm han·neš·šā·mō·wṯ): This stands in sharp contrast to the lively feast imagery. "Waste cities" signifies urban centers utterly devastated, empty, and devoid of inhabitants due to war and exile.
• be filled (תִּמָּלֶאינָה) (tim·mā·leyn·nāh): The verb "to be filled" (passive form) highlights complete saturation. The passive voice implies divine agency; God is the one doing the filling.
• with flocks of men (בְּצֹאן אָדָם) (bə·ṣō’n ’ā·ḏām): This striking metaphorical phrase is the climax of the prophecy. Instead of literal animals, the desolated cities will be populated by human "flocks," multiplying and gathering like sheep, signifying an incredible increase in the human population.
• and they shall know (וְיָדְעוּ) (wə·yāḏ·‘ū): "To know" in this prophetic context implies not just intellectual understanding, but an experiential and transformative recognition. It points to a deep, irrefutable acknowledgment of God's power.
• that I am the Lord (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה) (kî ’ă·nî Yah·weh): The definitive theological statement and ultimate goal. All these mighty acts serve to reveal Yahweh, Israel's covenant God, as the supreme, sovereign deity, who is utterly faithful to His promises.

Words-group analysis

• As the flock of holy things, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts: This double simile masterfully sets the stage. It vividly recalls a time of Israel's national and religious zenith—the pilgrimage festivals. These were characterized by an immense concentration of people and, more specifically, by untold thousands of animals brought for sacred offerings. This paints a picture of extreme abundance, vitality, and religious fervor, making the future promised all the more glorious.
• so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: This phrase presents the astounding realization of the comparison. The once desolate and uninhabited cities will be paradoxically inundated with human life, mirroring the imagery of the vast sacred flocks. The shift from "flocks of holy things" (animals) to "flocks of men" is both clever and profoundly hopeful, indicating not just restoration, but an abundant, God-blessed return to flourishing human society.
• and they shall know that I am the Lord: This concluding statement articulates the overarching divine purpose behind all of God's redemptive actions. The physical restoration and repopulation are not ends in themselves, but instruments through which God reveals His identity and sovereignty. The "knowledge" here is a transformative, undeniable realization of Yahweh's unparalleled power, faithfulness, and singular deity, recognized both by Israel and perhaps by surrounding nations.

Ezekiel 36 38 Bonus section

The imagery of "flocks of holy things" is particularly poignant because it signifies the return to a pure and abundant worship, contrasting with the desecration of the temple and the profaning of God's name that led to the exile. The multiplied people themselves, dwelling in the rebuilt land, can be seen as a kind of living offering, a testimony to God's covenant grace. This passage's fulfillment is tied not just to the initial post-exilic return but finds broader application in the long-term history of Israel's growth and survival, culminating in eschatological visions of a restored, thriving Israel in the land. The phrase "know that I am the Lord" is a prominent motif throughout Ezekiel, appearing over 60 times, acting as a recurring refrain that encapsulates the entire purpose of God's dealings with His people and the nations. This multiplication isn't just about raw numbers; it speaks to the restoration of community, security, and blessing within a divinely ordered society.

Ezekiel 36 38 Commentary

Ezekiel 36:38 provides a powerful and picturesque summation of God's covenant faithfulness and redemptive power for Israel after exile. The prophet employs an astounding double simile, first invoking the image of "flocks of holy things" (immense numbers of sacrificial animals) and then linking it to the unparalleled multitudes gathered in Jerusalem during its annual festivals. This evokes a vibrant, overflowing scene of spiritual devotion and national bustling activity. The stark contrast then comes with the phrase "waste cities," which were utterly desolate due to judgment. God's promise is to reverse this emptiness completely, filling these very cities with "flocks of men," indicating a miraculous multiplication and return of His people. This profound demographic and urban rebirth signifies the complete restoration of vitality, order, and life where once there was death and abandonment. The ultimate objective of this magnificent work is a deepened, experiential knowledge of God, where Israel and others will undeniably acknowledge Yahweh as the one, sovereign Lord. It underscores that God's actions, whether in judgment or restoration, always aim to glorify His name and reveal His character.