Ezekiel 39 25

Ezekiel 39:25 kjv

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

Ezekiel 39:25 nkjv

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name?

Ezekiel 39:25 niv

"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name.

Ezekiel 39:25 esv

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for my holy name.

Ezekiel 39:25 nlt

"So now, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will end the captivity of my people ; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my holy reputation!

Ezekiel 39 verses

Ezekiel 39 25 Meaning

Ezekiel 39:25 declares God's solemn promise to restore the exiled nation of Israel and show them great compassion, an act primarily driven by His divine zeal to uphold the sanctity and glory of His own holy name before the nations. This restoration follows the defeat of God's enemies (Gog), signifying that divine judgment precedes the restoration of His people, ultimately magnifying His character and sovereignty.

Ezekiel 39 25 Context

Ezekiel 39:25 occurs immediately after the climactic battle against Gog and his armies (Ezekiel 38-39), where God intervenes decisively to destroy the vast invading forces. This defeat, depicted with cataclysmic judgment, serves to showcase God's power and sovereignty to all nations, thereby vindicating His name which was profaned during Israel's exile. Following this divine display of power and judgment on Israel's enemies, the verse pivots to God's promised restoration and mercy upon Israel. It signifies a fundamental shift in God's dealings with His people, from a period of severe judgment and exile due to their idolatry and sin, to a future of restoration and intimate relationship. The broader context of Ezekiel is God's judgment and ultimate restoration of Israel, culminating in a new covenant, a new heart, and the indwelling of His Spirit.

Ezekiel 39 25 Word analysis

• Therefore: Signifies a direct consequence or outcome of the preceding events, particularly God's intervention and triumph over Gog. It links divine judgment of enemies with the restoration of His people.
• thus says the Lord GOD: A classic prophetic formula (Hebrew: Ko amar Adonai YHVH - "Thus declares the Sovereign LORD"). It underscores the divine authority, certainty, and solemnity of the pronouncement, confirming it as a direct revelation from the Creator.
• Now: Hebrew: atta (עַתָּה). Indicates an immediate or imminent action from God, a definite point in time, implying that after Gog's defeat, this new era of restoration begins without delay.
• I will restore the fortunes of Jacob: Hebrew: shuv shvut Yaakov (שוב שבות יעקב). This is an idiomatic phrase meaning "to turn the captivity," "restore their condition," or "bring back their prosperity." It encompasses return from exile, spiritual renewal, and national revival. "Jacob" represents the entire covenant people, descendants of Jacob (Israel).
• and have mercy: Hebrew: v'richamti (וְרִחַמְתִּי). From the root racham, meaning deep compassion, tender love, like a parent's affection for a child. This signifies God's pity and forgiveness, shifting from a posture of discipline to one of healing and grace towards His people.
• on the whole house of Israel: Hebrew: et kol-beit Yisra'el (אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל). Emphasizes that this restoration and mercy are comprehensive, embracing all twelve tribes, including both the northern (Ephraim) and southern (Judah) kingdoms, symbolizing complete national reunification after centuries of division and scattering.
• and I will be jealous: Hebrew: v'qinnêti (וְקִנֵּאתִ֖י). From the root qanna, implying a fierce, zealous passion, an intense desire to protect what belongs to oneself, especially honor or reputation. God's "jealousy" here is not a negative emotion but a holy, active zeal to preserve His glory and the rightful respect for His name.
• for My holy name: Hebrew: l'shem qodeshī (לְשֵׁ֥ם קׇדְשִֽׁי). "Name" (Hebrew: shem) represents God's entire character, reputation, and manifest power. It signifies His inherent holiness and distinction from all false gods. The nations had seen God's name profaned as His people were exiled; now, God acts to vindicate His glory before all humanity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Now": Establishes the divine decree's authority and timing. It signifies a divinely initiated and certain event, directly tied to the recent demonstration of God's power.
• "I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel": This powerful parallelism promises both practical restoration (return from exile, prosperity) and emotional/spiritual restoration (compassion, forgiveness, healing of divisions). It outlines God's holistic intervention for His chosen people.
• "and I will be jealous for My holy name": This clause reveals the ultimate motive behind God's action. It's not merely out of pity for Israel, but primarily to uphold His own divine reputation and holiness which was seemingly impugned during Israel's disgrace among the nations. God acts for His own glory, thereby ensuring His name is sanctified.

Ezekiel 39 25 Bonus section

This verse points towards a future time when God's glory will be unmistakably clear to all humanity. The sequence of events in Ezekiel 38-39, particularly Gog's defeat followed by Israel's restoration, mirrors a broader prophetic theme: God's decisive action against all forms of evil precedes and enables the full flourishing of His redemptive plan for His people. This promise has theological echoes in the New Covenant (Jer 31), where God’s mercy and faithfulness ultimately lead to spiritual restoration and the writing of His law on the hearts of His people, securing an eternal relationship. The vindication of God's name through Israel's restoration is not just a historical event but points to the ultimate display of His glory at the end of the ages.

Ezekiel 39 25 Commentary

Ezekiel 39:25 is a pivotal declaration, showcasing God's sovereign power and His unfailing covenant faithfulness. Following the dramatic portrayal of Gog's defeat, which served as a cosmic demonstration of divine judgment and power to the nations, God declares His intent to gather and restore His exiled people, Israel. This promise of "restoring their fortunes" encompasses their physical return to the land, national renewal, and the reversal of all adverse circumstances resulting from their judgment and scattering. The "whole house of Israel" emphasizes a complete and unified restoration, bridging the ancient division between the northern and southern kingdoms.

The profound mercy ("have mercy") displayed by God signifies His enduring compassion, forgiving the very people whose rebellion led to their exile. Crucially, the verse reveals God's ultimate motivation: "I will be jealous for My holy name." This is not a human emotion of envy, but a righteous zeal and unwavering commitment to His own honor and character. His name was profaned among the nations when His people, supposedly representing Him, were conquered and scattered. By restoring Israel, God vindicates His power, holiness, and covenant faithfulness before a skeptical world. This action solidifies His reputation as the only true and living God, ensuring His name is exalted. It demonstrates that God's plan is not primarily about Israel's merit, but about His own glorious purposes, making this verse a profound statement of divine self-vindication and ultimate triumph.