Ezekiel 11:16

16 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’

Ezekiel 11:16 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.
English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.'
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 “Therefore, tell the exiles, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.
The Message Bible (MSG)
16 "Well, tell them this: 'This is your Message from God, the Master. True, I sent you to the far country and scattered you through other lands. All the same, I've provided you a temporary sanctuary in the countries where you've gone.
American Standard Version (ASV)
16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they are come.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
16 "So tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, I have been their sanctuary for a little while among the countries where they've gone.'
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
16 "Therefore say: This is what the Lord God says: Though I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
16 "So tell them, 'The LORD and King says, "I sent some of my people far away among the nations. I scattered them among the countries. But for a little while I have been their temple in the countries where they have gone." '

Ezekiel 11:16 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 11:16

Therefore say, thus saith the Lord God
Since they were so insulted and ill treated by their brethren the Jews: although I have cast them afar off among the Heathen;
both the ten tribes, even all the house of Israel, who were carried into Assyria, and placed in the cities of the Medes, in Halath and Habor, by the river Gozan, ( 2 Kings 17:6 ) ; and those of the Jews in Jeconiah's captivity, among whom were Ezekiel, and his brethren, and his kindred: and although I have scattered them among the countries;
and therefore, what with the distance of the place where they were, and the dispersion of them among the people where they resided, their case might seem to be desperate; and that there was no probability, and scarce any possibility, of their being preserved as a people, and of their restoration to their own land: yet will I be to them a little sanctuary in the countries where they
shall come;
their dwelling place, as he has been to his people in all generations their protection from all their enemies, in whom, and by whose power, they should be safe; and whose presence they should enjoy, though deprived of public ordinances, of temple worship and service; though they were at a distance from the great sanctuary, the temple, the inhabitants of Jerusalem boasted of, yet the Lord would make up the want of that to them with himself. The Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi F13 interpret this of the synagogues, which were second to the temple, the Israelites had in foreign countries, where they prayed to the Lord, and worshipped him, and enjoyed his presence. It may be rendered, "the sanctuary of a few" F14; they being but few, especially that were truly godly, that were carried captive: or, "a sanctuary for a little while" {o}; that is, during seventy years, and then they should be returned, as follows. The Targum is,

``I have given them synagogues, second to my sanctuary, and they are as few in the provinces where they are carried captive.''

FOOTNOTES:

F13 Ex T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 29. 1.
F14 (jem vdqml) "ad sanctuarium paucitatis", Calvin; "in sanctuarium paucorum", Cocceius. So Ben Melech says the word is a substantive in some copies.
F15 Paulisper, Junius & Tremellius, Polanus, Castalio.

Ezekiel 11:16 In-Context

14 The word of the LORD came to me:
15 “Son of man, the people of Jerusalem have said of your fellow exiles and all the other Israelites, ‘They are far away from the LORD; this land was given to us as our possession.’
16 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.’
17 “Therefore say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’
18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Psalms 31:20; Psalms 90:1; Psalms 91:9; S Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 8:14
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