Bible Strands
Ezekiel 36:19
I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered throughout the lands. I judged them according to their ways and deeds.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses the exiled house of Israel immediately after describing His wrath poured out for their bloodshed and idolatry. He explains the direct cause of their national dispersion.
The words — The Hebrew אָפִיץ (a.Fitz) translates literally as "I scattered," while שְׁפַטְתִּי (she.fa.Ti) means "I judged." These verbs frame the exile as both a physical dispersal and a legal reckoning.
The thread — The scattering motif appears in Deuteronomy 28:64, where the LORD scatters Israel across the earth. It recurs in Ezekiel 5:12 regarding plague and sword, and in Ezekiel 39:24, where God deals with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to recognize that national exile is a direct judicial response to recorded conduct and practices. It demands acknowledgment that divine action follows established moral patterns, not arbitrary will.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 28:64 Then the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you will worship other gods, gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your fathers have known.
- Ezekiel 39:24 I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.
- Ezekiel 5:12 A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them.
- Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
- Ezekiel 22:15 I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you throughout the lands; I will purge your uncleanness.
- Amos 9:9 “For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground.
- Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
- Leviticus 26:38 You will perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies will consume you.
- Ezekiel 7:3 The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you. I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations.
- Ezekiel 7:8 Very soon I will pour out My wrath upon you and vent My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations.