However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.
Parallel translations
- WEB Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;
- KJV I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;
- NKJV Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries,
- NASB Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands,
- NLT But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would scatter them among all the nations
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God swore in the wilderness that He would scatter Israel among the nations. The threat of exile was already announced long before it came.
Overview
Here the Lord recalls His covenant warnings that disobedience would lead to dispersion (Leviticus 26:33; Deuteronomy 28:64). The exile the elders now experienced was no accident but the long-foretold consequence of persistent rebellion. This confirms that God's word always stands and that His judgments, though delayed, are sure.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Lev 26:33But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.
- Deut 28:64–68Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.
- Deut 32:26–27I would have said that I would cut them to pieces and blot out their memory from mankind,
- Ps 106:27to disperse their offspring among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.
- Deut 32:40For I lift up My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever,
- Ezek 20:15Moreover, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land that I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands—
- Jer 15:4I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth because of what Manasseh son of Hezekiah king of Judah did in Jerusalem.
- Rev 10:5–6Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven.
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Christ at the center
The promise of one Shepherd-King David, a new heart and new Spirit, and the river of life flowing from the temple all stream toward Christ, the good Shepherd who gives the Spirit.
How Ezekiel 20:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.