Ezekiel 36:11-13

11 'I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were 1formerly and will treat you 2better than at the first. Thus you will know that I am the LORD.
12 'Yes, I will cause 3men -My people Israel -to walk on you and possess you, so that you will become their 4inheritance and never * again 5bereave them of children.'
13 "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Because they say to you, "You are a 6devourer of men and have bereaved your nation of children,"

Ezekiel 36:11-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 36

This chapter is a prophecy concerning the desolations of the land of Israel, and the causes of them; of the return of the people to it, and the fruitfulness of it; and of spiritual blessings bestowed upon them in the latter day. And first, for the comfort of the people of Israel, it is observed that their enemies that insulted them will suffer the vengeance of God's wrath, particularly the Edomites, Eze 36:1-7, that the land of Israel should again become fruitful, its cities rebuilt, men and beasts be multiplied upon it, and be no more liable to destruction, nor bear any more the reproach of the Heathen, Eze 36:8-15, the causes of its desolation and destruction, the sins of its inhabitants, especially bloodshed, idolatry, and profanation of the name of God, Eze 36:16-20, nevertheless the Lord promises to have mercy on them, and return them to their own land, not for their sakes, but for his own name's sake, Eze 36:21-24, then follow promises of spiritual blessings to them: as purification from all sin by the blood of Christ; regeneration by his Spirit and grace; and evangelical obedience as the fruit of that, Eze 36:25-27, and others of a mixed kind, respecting partly temporal and partly spiritual blessings, Eze 36:28-36, for all which it is expected of the Lord that he should be prayed unto for them; particularly their inhabitation in their own land, and the multiplication of them in it, with which the chapter concludes, Eze 36:37,38.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Jeremiah 30:18; Ezekiel 16:55; Micah 7:14
  • 2. Job 42:12; Isaiah 51:3
  • 3. Ezekiel 34:13, 14
  • 4. Ezekiel 47:14
  • 5. Jeremiah 15:7; Ezekiel 22:12, 27
  • 6. Numbers 13:32

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit "cause good"
  • [b]. Or "nations," and so throughout the ch
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