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;
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;
- BSB 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.
- 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 26:33And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.
- Deut 28:64–68And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
- Deut 32:26–27I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
- Ps 106:27To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.
- Deut 32:40For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
- Ezek 20:15Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
- Jer 15:4And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
- Rev 10:5–6And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his 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.