Read & explore together
A Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel
Ezekiel 36:1–15 is a prophecy addressed to Israel’s land. Yahweh speaks to mountains, hills, valleys and cities, answering the shame laid on them and declaring that he will restore them for his people.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the land of Israel has been made desolate, claimed by surrounding nations and talked about with scorn. Yahweh answers that insult by speaking against those nations and by promising fruitfulness, rebuilding, renewed settlement and the removal of reproach from the land.
Ezekiel 36:1–15Main takeaway
This prophecy says that Yahweh sees the disgrace put on Israel’s land and declares restoration for it and for his people.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A word to the mountainsEzekiel is told to prophesy to the mountains of Israel. The focus is on the land itself, because enemies have claimed it and said the ancient high places now belong to them.
Explanation
Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the mountains of Israel. The focus is on the land itself, because enemies have claimed it and said the ancient high places now belong to them. Yahweh answers that boast with his own word.
02Desolation and scorn are namedYahweh describes what has happened to the land. It has been made desolate, swallowed up and turned into a possession for other nations.
Explanation
Yahweh describes what has happened to the land. It has been made desolate, swallowed up and turned into a possession for other nations. It has also become the subject of talk and evil report. Mountains, hills, valleys and forsaken cities are all included.
03Yahweh speaks against the nationsYahweh says he speaks in jealousy and wrath because the land has borne shame. He names the surrounding nations and Edom for taking his land as a possession with joy and contempt.
Explanation
Yahweh says he speaks in jealousy and wrath because the land has borne shame. He names the surrounding nations and Edom for taking his land as a possession with joy and contempt. He then swears that those nations will bear their own shame.
04The land will be fruitful againThe message turns to restoration. The mountains will bear branches and fruit, the land will be tilled and sown, cities inhabited and waste places rebuilt.
Explanation
The message turns to restoration. The mountains will bear branches and fruit, the land will be tilled and sown, cities inhabited and waste places rebuilt. People will possess the land as their inheritance, and shame, bereavement and reproach will no longer define it.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does the opening show about the main subject of this prophecy?
Notice that Yahweh tells Ezekiel to speak first to the mountains of Israel, because the land has been claimed and spoken against.
02How does the passage describe the land’s trouble before restoration is promised?
Look for words about desolation, possession by nations, public talk and forsaken places.
03Which promises in the last part are concrete signs of restoration?
List the visible changes in the land: fruit, sowing, inhabited cities, rebuilt waste places, multiplied people and secure inheritance.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 36:1–15
1You, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, “You mountains of Israel, hear Yahweh’s word.
2The Lord Yahweh says: ‘Because the enemy has said against you, “Aha!” and, “The ancient high places are ours in possession!” ’
3therefore prophesy, and say, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because, even because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that you might be a possession to the residue of the nations, and you are taken up in the lips of talkers, and the evil report of the people;”
4therefore, you mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Yahweh: The Lord Yahweh says to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes and to the cities that are forsaken, which have become a prey and derision to the residue of the nations that are all around;
5therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Surely in the fire of my jealousy I have spoken against the residue of the nations, and against all Edom, that have appointed my land to themselves for a possession with the joy of all their heart, with despite of soul, to cast it out for a prey.” ’
6Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and tell the mountains, the hills, the watercourses and the valleys, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my wrath, because you have borne the shame of the nations.”
7Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “I have sworn, ‘Surely the nations that are around you will bear their shame.’
8“ ‘ “But you, mountains of Israel, you shall shoot out your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel; for they are at hand to come.
9For, behold, I am for you, and I will come to you, and you will be tilled and sown.
10I will multiply men on you, all the house of Israel, even all of it. The cities will be inhabited and the waste places will be built.
11I will multiply man and animal on you. They will increase and be fruitful. I will cause you to be inhabited as you were before, and you will do better than at your beginnings. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.
12Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, even my people Israel. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance, and you will never again bereave them of their children.”
13“ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because they say to you, ‘You are a devourer of men, and have been a bereaver of your nation;’
14therefore you shall devour men no more, and not bereave your nation any more,” says the Lord Yahweh.
15“I won’t let you hear the shame of the nations any more. You won’t bear the reproach of the peoples any more, and you won’t cause your nation to stumble any more,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ ”