Ezekiel 37 20

Ezekiel 37:20 kjv

And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.

Ezekiel 37:20 nkjv

And the sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.

Ezekiel 37:20 niv

Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on

Ezekiel 37:20 esv

When the sticks on which you write are in your hand before their eyes,

Ezekiel 37:20 nlt

"Then hold out the pieces of wood you have inscribed, so the people can see them.

Ezekiel 37 verses

Ezekiel 37 20 Meaning

The verse describes the act of physically uniting two distinct sticks, each representing a divided nation, into a single unified entity. This union symbolizes the future reunification of Israel under one ruler, signifying the end of their division and the restoration of their covenant relationship with God.

Ezekiel 37 20 Context

Ezekiel 37 presents a powerful vision of the valley of dry bones, symbolizing the fallen state of Israel. The LORD instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, and they come back to life, representing the spiritual and national restoration of Israel. Verse 20 directly follows the vision of the two sticks (one for Joseph/Israel and one for Judah) being joined into one, a concrete action symbolizing their future unity. This vision is set within the historical context of the Babylonian exile, a period of national despair and a perceived severance of God's covenant with His people. The primary audience is the exiled Israelites, who are deeply discouraged and longing for national hope. The message directly counters any belief that God has abandoned them or that their division is permanent.

Ezekiel 37 20 Word Analysis

• “And” (Hebrew: וְ - ve): A common conjunctive particle, connecting actions and ideas.
• “you” (Hebrew: אַתָּה - attah): Refers to the prophet Ezekiel.
• “shall take” (Hebrew: לָקַחַתָּ - lakachtah): Future tense, indicating a commanded action.
• “one” (Hebrew: אֶחָד - echad): Singular, emphasizing unity.
• “stick” (Hebrew: עֵץ - etz): A wooden staff or piece of wood. In this context, it's a metaphor for a nation or tribe.
• “and” (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Connective.
• “write” (Hebrew: כָּתַבְתָּ - katavtah): Past tense, completed action in the prophetic vision; indicates inscription or recording.
• “upon it” (Hebrew: עָלָיו - alayw): Referring back to the stick.
• “for” (Hebrew: לְמַעַן - lima'an): Indicating purpose or belonging.
• “Joseph” (Hebrew: יוֹסֵף - Yosef): Represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often associated with Joseph's tribes.
• “even” (Hebrew: וּבְ -> uv): Connective and emphatic.
• “for” (Hebrew: לְמַעַן - lima'an): Purpose.
• “the” (Hebrew: הַ - ha): Definite article.
• “companies” (Hebrew: חֲבֵרָיו -> cheberayw - connected companions/associations, used for associated people or groups) This is not the usual word for a single stick. The LXX translates this as "united to it." A more common word for "sticks" in this chapter is "ets" or "mishneh." The use of "cheberayw" (associated ones) instead of "ets" for the second stick can emphasize the interconnectedness of the people within the reunited nation.
• “Judah” (Hebrew: יְהוּדָה - Yehudah): Represents the southern kingdom of Judah.
• “and” (Hebrew: וְ - ve): Connective.
• “for” (Hebrew: לְמַעַן - lima'an): Purpose.
• “the” (Hebrew: הַ - ha): Definite article.
• “companies” (Hebrew: חֲבֵרָיו -> cheberayw - same as above) Refers to the companies or associations belonging to Judah, essentially meaning "to its associates/companions," representing all who belonged to Judah.
• “of” (Hebrew: מִן - min): Partitive, signifying part of a whole.
• “Israel” (Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisrael): Encompasses all the people of God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• “take one stick”: This imagery signifies picking up a single unit to represent a collective. It implies that the divided kingdoms will be unified into one tangible entity.
• “write upon it”: The inscription signifies identification and ownership, making the unity explicit. The names written are significant markers of identity being restored and reconciled.
• “for Joseph…for the companies of Judah”: This phrase specifies the constituents of the unified stick. It acknowledges the separate identities of both kingdoms while declaring their future merger. The term "companies" (cheberayw) emphasizes the relational aspect of the nation – the groups of people who constituted these kingdoms. It's not just territorial reunion, but the re-establishment of a people.

Ezekiel 37 20 Bonus Section

The concept of a unified people of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. The two sticks mirror the historical reality of the divided monarchy following Solomon's reign, a period that significantly weakened Israel. This vision's fulfillment speaks to God's faithfulness in His promises of restoration, even after periods of intense judgment and exile. The eventual gathering of Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles into the body of Christ, as described in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 2), are seen by many Christians as a broader fulfillment of this theme of unity under one Head, Jesus Christ. The choice of wood for the sticks is also significant; wood in the Bible can represent humanity or humanity's earthly existence. Therefore, the joining of these two pieces can also symbolize the union of different peoples or aspects of God's redeemed humanity into one living body, animated by His Spirit.

Ezekiel 37 20 Commentary

This verse details the prophet's action in fulfilling the vision from verse 16. He is to take the two separate sticks, already representing the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and bind them together as one. The inscriptions—"for Joseph" on one and "for the companies of Judah" on the other—serve to declare that this unification is intentional, marking the reintegration of all segments of God's people. This act powerfully symbolizes the end of centuries of division and animosity between the northern and southern kingdoms. It foreshadows a future Davidic ruler who will reign over a completely restored and unified Israel, signifying complete national and spiritual healing. The term "companies" (cheberayw) here suggests the interconnected groups within Judah, reinforcing the idea of a unified community of believers, not just a political state. This prophetic action is a tangible representation of God’s promise to gather His scattered people and make them one nation once again under His singular governance.