See in Reader
21 KiB
Ezekiel 36
Ezekiel 36:1
General Information:
Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak a prophecy. Ezekiel is to speak to the mountains of Israel, but the message is for all of the people of Israel.
son of man
"son of a human being" or "son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "mortal person" or "human"
prophesy to the mountains of Israel
God wants Ezekiel to speak to the mountains as if they were people. The message is for the people of Israel. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
Ezekiel 36:2
Aha
This is an expression of joy. It can be translated as "I am very happy" or "This is great."
The ancient high places
"The very old mountains." This refers to the high mountains of Israel.
have become our possession
"now belong to us"
Ezekiel 36:3
Because of your desolation
The abstract noun "desolation" can be stated as "desolate." Alternate translation: "Because you, mountains of Israel, have become desolate" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
because of the attacks that came on you from all sides
"because you were attacked from every direction" or "because your enemies attacked you from every direction"
you have been the subject of slanderous lips and tongues, and of people's stories
Here, "lips" and "tongues" represent people speaking. Alternate translation: "people are saying bad things about you, and the nations are telling bad stories about you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Ezekiel 36:4
General Information:
This continues the message that Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak to the mountains of Israel. The message is for all of the people of Israel. It may be helpful to use a verse bridge here, as the UDB does, to arrange the text in a more logical order. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-versebridge)
listen to the word of the Lord Yahweh
"listen to the message of the Lord Yahweh"
the uninhabited desolations
The abstract noun "desolations" can be stated as "desolate cities." Alternate translation: "the desolate cities which have no people living in them" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the forsaken cities
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the cities that people have left behind" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
that have become plunder
"that enemies have stolen from"
Ezekiel 36:5
in the fire of my fury
This speaks of Yahweh's fury as if it were a fire. Yahweh loves Israel very much, so he becomes jealous and angry when other nations mock it. Alternate translation: "because of my intense jealousy" or "because of my very strong anger" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
against Edom and all
"and against all of Edom"
had both joy in their heart and disdain in their spirit, as they seized my land
Here "heart" and "spirit" represent a person's inner being. The ideas of having joy and disdain can be expressed with the verbs "rejoiced" and "despised." Alternate translation: "who despised the people of Israel and rejoiced while they took my land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 36:6
Behold!
The word "Behold" here adds emphasis to what follows. Alternate translation: "Indeed!"
In my fury and in my anger
The words "fury" and "anger" mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize the intensity of his anger. Alternate translation: "Because I am extremely angry" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
you have borne the insults of nations
"other nations have insulted you" or "other nations have mocked you"
Ezekiel 36:7
General Information:
This continues Yahweh's message to the mountains of Israel. The message is intended for the people of Israel.
I myself will lift up my hand to swear
Here "lift up my hand" is a symbolic action that shows he will truly do what he has sworn to do. Alternate translation: "I solemnly swear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
that the nations that surround you will certainly carry their own shame
The people experiencing shame are spoken of as if they will carry their shame. Alternate translation: "that people will certainly mock the nations that surround you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
surround you
The word "you" refers to the mountains of Israel.
Ezekiel 36:8
General Information:
This continues Yahweh's message to the mountains of Israel. The message is intended for the people of Israel.
you will grow branches and bear fruit
Here "you" refers to the mountain of Israel which here represents the trees on the mountain that will grow fruit. Alternate translation: "your trees will grow branches and bear fruit" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
Ezekiel 36:9
behold, I
"pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I"
I am for you
"I want to do good things to you." The word "you" refers to the mountains of Israel.
I treat you with favor
"I will be kind to you"
you will be plowed and sown with seed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "my people, Israel, will plow your ground and sow it with seed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 36:10
General Information:
This continues Yahweh's message to the mountains of Israel. The message is intended for the people of Israel.
So I will multiply upon you
Yahweh is speaking to the mountains. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "So, mountains of Israel, I will multiply upon you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
even the whole house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. Alternate translation: "all of the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
The cities will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Then people will live in the cities and will rebuild the ruins" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 36:11
they will multiply and be fruitful
Here "be fruitful" is an idiom that means to have many children and descendants. Alternate translation: "they will become very many people and have very many children" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
you to be inhabited as you previously were
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people to live on you mountains as they did before" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
know that I am Yahweh
When Yahweh says that people will know that he is Yahweh, he is implying that they will know that he is the one true God who has supreme authority and power. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 6:7. Alternate translation: "understand that I am Yahweh, the one true God" or "realize that I, Yahweh, have supreme power and authority" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Ezekiel 36:12
They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance
The people living in the mountains and land of Israel permanently is spoke of as if the people would inherit them. Alternate translation: "They will possess you permanently" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
you will no longer cause their children to die
It is implied that in the past children died because there was not enough food in the land. Now the land would produce enough food. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Ezekiel 36:13
General Information:
This continues Yahweh's message to the mountains of Israel. The message is meant for the people of Israel.
they are saying to you
"other nations are saying to you mountains"
You devour men
Not enough food growing in Israel so that people die is spoken of as if the mountains of Israel were devouring the people. Alternate translation: "You cause many people to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
bereaving your nation of children
"you cause your people's children to die"
Ezekiel 36:14
you will not consume people any longer
Not enough food growing in Israel so that people die is spoken of as if the mountains of Israel were consuming the people. Alternate translation: "you will no longer cause the people to die" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
This is the Lord Yahweh's declaration
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 5:11. Alternate translation: "This is what the Lord Yahweh has declared" or "This is what I, the Lord Yahweh, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Ezekiel 36:15
Nor will I allow you to hear the insults of the nations any longer
This speaks of the mountains as if they were able to hear when people insult them. Alternate translation: "I will no longer allow the other nations to insult you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
you will no longer have to bear the shame of the peoples
Experiencing shame is spoken of as if the mountains could bear shame. Alternate translation: "the peoples will no longer cause you to feel ashamed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:16
the word of Yahweh came
This is an idiom that is used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 3:16. Alternate translation: "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Ezekiel 36:17
Son of man
"Son of a human being" or "Son of humanity." God calls Ezekiel this to emphasize that Ezekiel is only a human being. God is eternal and powerful, but humans are not. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 2:1. Alternate translation: "Mortal person" or "Human"
the house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
with their ways and their deeds
"by the way they lived and the things they did"
Their ways were like the unclean menstruation of a woman before me
This compares how the people behaved to a woman's unclean menstruation rags. This emphasizes how disgusting their behaviors were to Yahweh. Alternate translation: "Their ways were as disgusting to me as the unclean menstruation of a woman" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
menstruation of a woman
the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb
Ezekiel 36:18
I poured out my fury against them
Yahweh punishing people because he is angry is spoken of as if his fury were a liquid that he poured out. Alternate translation: "I did things to them that showed how angry I was" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
for the blood that they poured out on the land
This is an idiom that refers to killing someone. Alternate translation: "because they made the blood of many people spill onto the land" or "because they murdered many people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
for their pollution of it by their idols
The people worshiping idols is spoken of as if the idols made the land physically dirty. Alternate translation: "because they defiled the land with their idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:19
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel about Israel.
I scattered them among the nations; they were dispersed through the lands
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. See how you translated a similar phrase in Ezekiel 12:15. Alternate translation: "I caused them to separate and live in separate lands" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
they were dispersed through the lands
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I dispersed them through the lands" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
their ways and their deeds
Here "ways" and "deeds" mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: "the things that they have done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Ezekiel 36:20
they profaned my holy name
Here "name" represents Yahweh and his reputation. Alternate translation: "they mocked me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
when people
"because other people said"
Are these really the people of Yahweh?
The people use a question to express their surprise at what they saw. Alternate translation: "I cannot believe these are really the people of Yahweh!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
For they have been thrown out of his land
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "For Yahweh has forced them out of his land" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
his land
This refers to the land of Israel.
Ezekiel 36:21
But I had compassion for my holy name that the house of Israel had defiled among the nations, when they went there
Here "name" represents Yahweh and his reputation. Alternate translation: "When the house of Israel went among the nations, they caused me disgrace, but I wanted people to know that I am holy" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I had compassion for my holy name
"I cared about my holy name"
the house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 36:22
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel, and he gives him a message to Israel.
the house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. Alternate translation: "the people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
for your sake
"because of you" or "in order to help you"
but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations everywhere you have gone
Here "name" represents Yahweh and his reputation. Alternate translation: "but so that the people of the nations, who mock me because of you, will know that I am holy" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
you have profaned among the nations everywhere you have gone
"you have caused the people of the nations to mock everywhere you have gone"
Ezekiel 36:23
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Ezekiel 36:24
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
Ezekiel 36:25
I will sprinkle pure water on you so you will be purified from all of your impurities, and I will purify you from all of your idols
Yahweh forgiving the people and causing them to no longer sin is spoken of as if he would cleanse them with water. The phrase "you will be purified" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will purify you as if I were sprinkling you with pure water, and I will cause you to stop worshiping idols" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
all of your impurities
"all the things that made you unclean"
Ezekiel 36:26
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
I will give you a new heart and a new spirit in your innermost parts, and I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh. For I will give you a heart of flesh
Yahweh causing the people to no longer be stubborn but to love and serve Yahweh is spoken of as if he will take away their old heart and give them a new heart and spirit. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
a new heart and a new spirit
Here "heart" and "spirit" represent a person's thoughts, attitudes, and emotions. See how you translated "heart" and "spirit" in Ezekiel 11:19.
in your innermost parts
"within you" or "inside of you"
the heart of stone
This speaks of people being stubborn as if their hearts were made of stone. See how you translated "stone heart" in Ezekiel 11:19. Alternate translation: "the heart that is as hard as stone" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
your flesh
"your body"
a heart of flesh
People being willing to serve Yahweh is spoken of as if their hearts were soft like flesh. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 11:19. Alternate translation: "a heart that is soft like flesh" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:27
enable you to walk in my statutes
A person acting or behaving in a certain way is spoken of is if it were a person walking. See how you translated this in Ezekiel 11:20. Alternate translation: "enable you to obey my statutes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:28
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Ezekiel 36:29
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
For I will save you from all of your uncleanness
Something that is unacceptable to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. Alternate translation: "For I will save you from everything that made me reject you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
I will summon the grain
"I will call the grain to come." This phrase presents the grain as a servant of Yahweh. Alternate translation: "I will cause there to be grain in the land of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
I will no longer put famine upon you
Yahweh causing a famine in the land is spoken of as if he put famine on the people. Alternate translation: "I will no longer cause there to be a famine" or "I will no longer cause there to be no food" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:30
you will no longer bear the shame of famine among the nations
Experiencing shame is spoken of as if the people had to carry the shame. Alternate translation: "the nations will no longer make you feel ashamed because you suffer from famine" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:31
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Ezekiel 36:32
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
let this be known to you
"know this" or "you can be sure of this." Yahweh says this to emphasize that it is not because the people are good that he will restore them. This phrase can be moved to the beginning of the verse. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
So be ashamed and disgraced
The words "ashamed" and "disgraced" share similar meanings. Together they emphasize the intensity of the shame. Alternate translation: "So be very ashamed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
because of your ways
"because of what you do"
house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. Alternate translation: "people of Israel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 36:33
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Ezekiel 36:34
you will plow the ruined land
"you will farm the ruined land"
before the eyes of all who pass by
The eyes represent sight. Alternate translation: "to those who pass by and see it" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Ezekiel 36:35
General Information:
Yahweh continues giving Ezekiel his message to Israel.
Then they
The word "they" refers to the people who walk through the land of Israel.
the uninhabited ruins
"the ruins that no one lived in"
that were torn down
This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) Alternate translation: "that enemies had torn down" or 2) Alternate translation: "that people could not get into" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
are now fortified and inhabited
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people have now rebuilt them and have started living there again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Ezekiel 36:36
that I built up the ruins
"and that I built up the cities that enemies had torn down"
replanted the abandoned places
"planted crops in the desolate land"
Ezekiel 36:37
General Information:
Yahweh continues speaking to Ezekiel.
I will be asked by the house of Israel
Here "house" represents people. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The people of Israel will ask me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
to increase them like a flock of people
Yahweh causing the people to multiply greatly and quickly is spoken of as if they were a flock of sheep. Sheep multiply very quickly. Alternate translation: "to make them multiply like a flock of sheep" or "to make the people multiply quickly like sheep" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Ezekiel 36:38
Like the flock is set apart for sacrifices, like the flock in Jerusalem at her appointed feasts
The phrase "is set apart" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Like the great number of sheep that the people set apart for sacrifices or bring to Jerusalem for the appointed feasts" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
so will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people
This speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a flock of sheep. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so will the great number of people be who will be living in the cities that are now ruined but the people will rebuild" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)