Read & explore together
A New Heart and a New Spirit
Ezekiel 36:16–38 explains why Israel was scattered and what Yahweh promises to do. The passage moves from defilement and judgement to cleansing, inward renewal, restored land, and a renewed knowledge that Yahweh is holy.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this prophecy, Yahweh speaks to Ezekiel about the house of Israel. The passage looks back to their defilement of the land and their scattering among the nations, then announces that Yahweh will act for his holy name by cleansing, restoring, and reshaping his people.
Ezekiel 36:16–38Main takeaway
Yahweh promises restoration that includes cleansing, a new heart, his Spirit within his people, and a restored land, so that people and nations know that he is Yahweh.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Defilement and scatteringYahweh says Israel defiled their land by their ways and deeds. He also names bloodshed and idols.
Explanation
Yahweh says Israel defiled their land by their ways and deeds. He also names bloodshed and idols. Because of this, he poured out wrath on them and scattered them among the nations. Their dispersion is presented as Yahweh’s judgement according to their way and deeds.
02Yahweh acts for his holy nameAmong the nations, Israel’s condition brought dishonour to Yahweh’s holy name. So Yahweh says he will act, not for Israel’s sake, but for his holy name.
Explanation
Among the nations, Israel’s condition brought dishonour to Yahweh’s holy name. So Yahweh says he will act, not for Israel’s sake, but for his holy name. When he is shown holy in them, the nations will know that he is Yahweh.
03Clean water, a new heart, and the SpiritYahweh promises to gather his people, bring them into their land, sprinkle clean water on them, and cleanse them from filthiness and idols.
Explanation
Yahweh promises to gather his people, bring them into their land, sprinkle clean water on them, and cleanse them from filthiness and idols. He will give a new heart and a new spirit, remove the stony heart, and put his Spirit within them so they keep his ordinances.
04Restored land and renewed recognitionYahweh says his people will dwell in the land, be cleansed from uncleanness, and see fruitful fields instead of famine.
Explanation
Yahweh says his people will dwell in the land, be cleansed from uncleanness, and see fruitful fields instead of famine. They will remember their evil ways and loathe themselves. Cities and land will be rebuilt, the nations will know Yahweh has done it, and the waste cities will be filled with people.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01According to the passage, why was Israel scattered among the nations?
Look for the reasons Yahweh gives, including their ways, deeds, bloodshed, and idols, and notice that he judged them according to these things.
02What does Yahweh say he will give and put within his people?
List the inward gifts named here, and note what Yahweh says those gifts will lead his people to do.
03What does Yahweh say about the rebuilt cities, the nations’ response, and Israel inquiring of him?
Trace the statements about inhabited cities, what the nations will know, and Yahweh saying he will be inquired of by the house of Israel.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 36:16–38
16Moreover Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
17“Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and by their deeds. Their way before me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity.
18Therefore I poured out my wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols.
19I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. I judged them according to their way and according to their deeds.
20When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name, in that men said of them, ‘These are Yahweh’s people, and have left his land.’
21But I had respect for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.
22“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.
23I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am Yahweh,” says the Lord Yahweh, “when I am proven holy in you before their eyes.
24“ ‘ “For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.
27I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them.
28You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your God.
29I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you.
30I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations.
31“ ‘ “Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.
32I don’t do this for your sake,” says the Lord Yahweh. “Let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.”
33“ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the waste places will be built.
34The land that was desolate will be tilled instead of being a desolation in the sight of all who passed by.
35They will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’
36Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, Yahweh, have built the ruined places and planted that which was desolate. I, Yahweh, have spoken it, and I will do it.”
37“ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “For this, moreover, I will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock.
38As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’ ”