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.’
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- 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.
- 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 will fall among you, and you will know that I am the LORD.
- Jer 5:25–31Your iniquities have diverted these from you; your sins have deprived you of My bounty.
- Jer 5:1–9“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.
- 2 Kgs 17:9–18The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.
- 2 Chr 36:14–17Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.
- Ezek 36:17–18“Son of man, when the people of Israel lived in their land, they defiled it by their own ways and deeds. Their behavior before Me was like the uncleanness of a woman’s impurity.
- Ezek 8:6–15“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing—to drive Me far from My sanctuary? Yet you will see even greater abominations.”
- Ezek 22:25–31The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
- Ezek 7:27The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and I will judge them by their own standards. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
- Ezek 22:2–15“As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations
- Ezek 23:49They will repay you for your indecency, and you will bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.’”
- Ezek 6:11This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel, who will fall by sword and famine and plague.
- Ezek 25:11So I will execute judgments on Moab, and they will know that I am the LORD.’
- Mic 6:9–12The voice of the LORD calls out to the city (and it is sound wisdom to fear Your name): “Heed the rod and the One who ordained it.
- Zeph 3:1–4Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!
- Ps 83:17–18May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.
- Exod 14:18The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I am honored through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
- Ps 9:16The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion 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
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.