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Ezekiel 36

Ezekiel 36:25

A New Heart and a New Spirit · Ezekiel 36:16–38
Read Ezekiel 36

Translations

Modern
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
Traditional
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Literal
And I will sprinkle on you pure water, and you will be pure from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will purify you.
Latin
Et effundam super vos aquam mundam, et mundabimini ab omnibus inquinamentis vestris, et ab universis idolis vestris mundabo vos.

Original

Hebrew
English
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.

Notes

Ezekiel 36:25

Bringing Israel back to the land was not enough. They would also become a new, transformed Israel. God would sprinkle them with clean water to cleanse them from all impurities that had defiled the land. Such sprinkling with water was a routine part of Jewish purification ceremonies (see Numbers 19). It symbolized a fresh start, with their old sins washed away.

Ezekiel 36:16–38

  • Ezekiel reminded the people of their guilt and their need for God to change their hearts. In the future, God would cleanse his people.

  • In the Old Testament, objects and people are divided into "clean" and "unclean," "sacred" and "profane" categories (see “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note).

    God made Israel clean, but the Gentile nations remained unclean. Israel became unclean due to bloodshed and idolatry, which defiled the land. Because they acted like unclean nations, it was fitting for Israel to be scattered among them as punishment. In the future, God would make them clean so he could dwell among them again. Other nations, seeing his holiness in his people, would know he is the Holy One.

    In the New Testament, God’s redemption through Christ redefines the lines between clean and unclean (see Acts 10:15). The Gentiles are no longer outside of God’s grace. They, too, can receive the Holy Spirit and become clean. Jews and Gentiles together now form the one people of God in Christ.

    Those in Christ Jesus are not only clean but also holy because of his priesthood. Therefore, they can come boldly into God’s presence and experience his grace (Hebrews 12:18–29).

Events

Parallels

Romans 8:9–11 Galatians 5:16–26

Glossary

Circumcision Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Ezekiel (Person) Ezekiel, Book of Heart John the Baptist New Remnant Sin Temple

Topics

Baptism with the Holy Spirit: Foretold Changed Hearts Cleanliness: Figurative Conversion of Israel, Predicted Depravity of Man: General Scriptures Concerning Gifts Heart: Known to God Idolatry: Destruction of, Promised Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Blessing and Restoration Purification: Figurative Sprinkling of Water Symbols and Similitudes of the Holy Spirit: Cleansing By The Emblems of the Holy Spirit: Water: Cleansing The Jews: Promises Respecting: Sanctification Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water: Cleansing Water: Water of Salvation