Then shall they know that I am Yahweh, when I have made the land a desolation and an astonishment, because of all their abominations which they have committed.
Parallel translations
- KJV Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.
- BSB Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the abominations they have committed.’
- NKJV Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.” ’
- NASB Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I make the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations which they have committed.” ’
- NLT When I have completely destroyed the land because of their detestable sins, then they will know that I am the Lord.’
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
When the land lies desolate because of their abominations, Israel will finally know that the LORD is God. Judgment teaches what mercy alone had not.
Overview
The recurring refrain 'they shall know that I am Yahweh' marks Ezekiel's central aim: that God's acts vindicate His holy name. Here even devastation reveals His sovereignty and justice. The phrase 'because of all their abominations' makes clear the cause is moral, not arbitrary. God's deepest goal is that people know Him rightly—fulfilled supremely in Christ, in whom God is fully revealed (John 17:3).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Ezek 6:7The slain shall fall among you, and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
- Jer 5:25–31“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withheld good from you.
- Jer 5:1–9“Run back and forth through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in its wide places, if you can find a man, if there are any who does justly, who seeks truth; and I will pardon her.
- 2 Kgs 17:9–18The children of Israel secretly did things that were not right against Yahweh their God; and they built high places for themselves in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city;
- 2 Chr 36:14–17Moreover all the chiefs of the priests, and the people, trespassed very greatly after all the abominations of the nations; and they polluted Yahweh’s house which he had made holy in Jerusalem.
- Ezek 36:17–18Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their way and by their doings: their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity.
- Ezek 8:6–15He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they do? Even the great abominations that the house of Israel commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But you will again see yet other great abominations.”
- Ezek 22:25–31There is a conspiracy of her prophets within it, like a roaring lion ravening the prey. They have devoured souls. They take treasure and precious things. They have made her widows many within it.
- Ezek 7:27The king will mourn, and the prince will be clothed with desolation. The hands of the people of the land will be troubled. I will do to them after their way, and according to their own judgments will I judge them; and they shall know that I am Yahweh.’”
- Ezek 22:2–15“You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations.
- Ezek 23:49They shall recompense your lewdness on you, and you will bear the sins of your idols; and you shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh.’”
- Ezek 6:11“Thus says the Lord Yahweh: ‘Strike with your hand, and stamp with your foot, and say, “Alas!” Because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel; for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.
- Ezek 25:11and I will execute judgments on Moab; and they shall know that I am Yahweh.
- Mic 6:9–12Yahweh’s voice calls to the city, and wisdom sees your name: “Listen to the rod, and he who appointed it.
- Zeph 3:1–4Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!
- Ps 83:17–18Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish;
- Exod 14:18The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.”
- Ps 9:16Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.
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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 33:29 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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