Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among 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;
- 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,
- 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 26:33I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you. Your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.
- Deut 28:64–68Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods, which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone.
- Deut 32:26–27I said that I would scatter them afar. I would make their memory to cease from among men;
- Ps 106:27that he would overthrow their offspring among the nations, and scatter them in the lands.
- Deut 32:40For I lift up my hand to heaven and declare, as I live forever,
- Ezek 20:15Moreover also I swore to 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 15:4I will cause them to be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for that which he did in Jerusalem.
- Rev 10:5–6The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky,
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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
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