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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 20:23 However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/20-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/26_Ezk_20_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 20:23 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/20-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/20-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm" title="Ezekiel 20:22">◄</a> Ezekiel 20:23 <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm" title="Ezekiel 20:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But I took a solemn oath against them in the wilderness. I swore I would scatter them among all the nations<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Moreover, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the [Gentile] nations and disperse them among the countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover I sware unto them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So I solemnly swore that I would scatter the people of Israel across the nations, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Moreover I lifted up mine hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I raised my hand and swore an oath to them in the desert. I promised to scatter them among the nations and force them into other countries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So I made another vow in the desert. I vowed that I would scatter them all over the world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Futhermore, I solemnly swore in the wilderness to disperse them among the nations and scatter them to other lands <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, with an uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I also swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I lifted up my hand to them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I also, I have lifted up My hand to them in the wilderness, "" To scatter them among nations, "" And to spread them through lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I also, I have lifted up My hand to them in the wilderness, To scatter them among nations, And to spread them through lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Also I lifted up my hand to them in the desert, to scatter them in the nations, to disperse them is the lands.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Again I lifted up my hand upon them in the wilderness, to disperse them among the nations, and scatter them through the countries : <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Again, I lifted up my hand against them, in the wilderness, so that I would disperse them among the nations, and scatter them among the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them in other lands,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Moreover I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But I lifted my hands to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles, and I shall scatter them in the lands<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I lifted up My hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I lifted up my hand against them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles, <i>and</i> disperse them in the countries;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=5272" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>But I withheld My hand and acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">However,</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nā·śā·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">with an uplifted hand I swore</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">to them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness</a> <a href="/hebrew/6327.htm" title="6327: lə·hā·p̄îṣ (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be dispersed or scattered. A primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively.">that I would scatter</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: bag·gō·w·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">among the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/2219.htm" title="2219: ū·lə·zā·rō·wṯ (Conj-w, Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To scatter, fan, winnow. A primitive root; to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow.">and disperse</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fp) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">throughout the lands.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>For they did not practice My ordinances, but they rejected My statutes and profaned My Sabbaths, fixing their eyes on the idols of their fathers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-64.htm">Deuteronomy 28:64</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Leviticus 26:33</a></span><br />But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-13.htm">Jeremiah 16:13</a></span><br />So I will cast you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known. There you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-26.htm">Psalm 106:26-27</a></span><br />So He raised His hand and swore to cast them down in the wilderness, / to disperse their offspring among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Nehemiah 1:8</a></span><br />Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-27.htm">Deuteronomy 4:27</a></span><br />Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-16.htm">Jeremiah 9:16</a></span><br />I will scatter them among the nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/44-12.htm">Jeremiah 44:12</a></span><br />And I will take away the remnant of Judah who have resolved to go to the land of Egypt to reside there; they will meet their end. They will all fall by the sword or be consumed by famine. From the least to the greatest, they will die by sword or famine; and they will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and reproach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-6.htm">2 Kings 17:6</a></span><br />In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-21.htm">2 Kings 25:21</a></span><br />There at Riblah in the land of Hamath, the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death. So Judah was taken into exile, away from its own land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-24.htm">Luke 21:24</a></span><br />They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-31.htm">Matthew 24:31</a></span><br />And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1</a></span><br />James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">1 Peter 1:1</a></span><br />Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I lifted up my hand to them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries;</p><p class="hdg">lifted</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Ezekiel 20:15</a></b></br> Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given <i>them</i>, flowing with milk and honey, which <i>is</i> the glory of all lands;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-40.htm">Deuteronomy 32:40</a></b></br> For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/10-5.htm">Revelation 10:5,6</a></b></br> And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, … </p><p class="hdg">that I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Leviticus 26:33</a></b></br> And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-64.htm">Deuteronomy 28:64-68</a></b></br> And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, <i>even</i> wood and stone… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-26.htm">Deuteronomy 32:26,27</a></b></br> I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/12-15.htm">Countries</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-15.htm">Disperse</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-15.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Further</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-5.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-15.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-14.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Uplifted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-11.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Countries</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-35.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-15.htm">Disperse</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-6.htm">Driving</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-25.htm">Further</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Lifted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-25.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-32.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-7.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-15.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-15.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-42.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-42.htm">Uplifted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-34.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-35.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-35.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-1.htm">God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-4.htm">He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-19.htm">in the desert</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">and in the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-33.htm">He promises to gather them by the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-45.htm">Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>However, with an uplifted hand</b><br>This phrase signifies a solemn oath or promise made by God. In biblical times, raising one's hand was a gesture associated with making a vow or oath, indicating the seriousness and binding nature of the declaration. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to emphasize the certainty and authority of God's promises and judgments (e.g., <a href="/exodus/6-8.htm">Exodus 6:8</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/32-40.htm">Deuteronomy 32:40</a>).<p><b>I swore to them in the wilderness</b><br>The wilderness refers to the period of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, a time marked by rebellion and disobedience. This setting is crucial as it highlights the context of Israel's repeated failures to trust and obey God despite His continuous provision and guidance. The wilderness experience is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing both testing and divine discipline (<a href="/numbers/14-26.htm">Numbers 14:26-35</a>).<p><b>that I would scatter them among the nations</b><br>This phrase predicts the dispersion of the Israelites due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The scattering among the nations is a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined in <a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Leviticus 26:33</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/28-64.htm">Deuteronomy 28:64</a>, where God warned Israel of the consequences of breaking His covenant. Historically, this prophecy was realized through the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, where the Israelites were forcibly removed from their land.<p><b>and disperse them throughout the lands</b><br>The dispersion throughout various lands underscores the extent of Israel's punishment, emphasizing the loss of national identity and unity. This scattering served as both a judgment and a means of preserving a remnant that would eventually return and restore the nation. Theologically, this dispersion foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church being scattered throughout the world, tasked with spreading the Gospel (<a href="/acts/8.htm">Acts 8:1-4</a>). Additionally, it points to the ultimate regathering and restoration of Israel as prophesied in passages like <a href="/ezekiel/36-24.htm">Ezekiel 36:24</a> and <a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Isaiah 11:11-12</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were often rebellious and disobedient, leading to their punishment and exile.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The period of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, marked by testing and rebellion.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the foreign lands where the Israelites would be scattered due to their disobedience.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_oath.htm">God's Oath</a></b><br>The solemn promise made by God, emphasizing the seriousness of His intentions and the certainty of His actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_god's_promises.htm">The Seriousness of God's Promises</a></b><br>God's promises, whether of blessing or judgment, are certain and should be taken seriously. His oath with an uplifted hand signifies the gravity of His words.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The scattering of the Israelites serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Disobedience leads to separation and loss.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>God's ability to scatter His people among the nations demonstrates His sovereignty over all nations and His control over history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_for_restoration.htm">Hope for Restoration</a></b><br>While the focus here is on judgment, the broader biblical account includes promises of restoration for those who repent and return to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_our_own_lives.htm">Reflecting on Our Own Lives</a></b><br>We should examine areas of disobedience in our lives and seek repentance, understanding that God's discipline is meant to bring us back to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_36_align_with_other_prophecies.htm">How do claims in Ezekiel 36 about Israel's future prosperity reconcile with other biblical passages that predict ongoing hardship for the same people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_keep_unity_in_peace.htm">What does 'Strike the Shepherd, Sheep Scatter' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_11_16_align_with_evidence.htm">In Ezekiel 11:16, how can the claimed scattering be reconciled with the limited archaeological and historical evidence for a mass dispersion at that specific time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_sacrifice_evidence_consistent.htm">If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">I would scatter them among the heathen.--</span>This threatening was not designed to be fulfilled in that immediate generation, as abundantly appears from <a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm" title="And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.">Leviticus 26:33</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/4-27.htm" title="And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and you shall be left few in number among the heathen, where the LORD shall lead you.">Deuteronomy 4:27</a>, Deut. 27:64, and the other passages in which it is given, especially Deuteronomy 29, 30. It was given to that generation as representing the nation, but was only to be carried out when, by a long course of obdurate sin, it should be shown to be imperatively required. The threat had now been already realised in part, and was on the eve of being fully accomplished. It was important that the people should be made to understand that this had been the Divine warning from the beginning, and that in its fulfilment they were only receiving that punishment which had always been designed for such sin as they had committed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">That I would scatter them among the heathen.</span> The words seem to refer to the generation that had grown up in the wilderness, and, so taken, do not correspond with the history of the conquest of Canaan. What Ezekiel contemplates, however, as the resolve of Jehovah, is the commutation of the sentence of destruction for that of the dispersion of the people, leaving the time and manner of that dispersion to be determined by his own will. Possibly even in the time of the judges, with its many conquests and long periods of oppression, there were instances of such dispersion, and these, with others that would naturally accompany an invasion like that of Shishak (<a href="/2_chronicles/12-2.htm">2 Chronicles 12:2-9</a>), not to speak of frequent attacks from Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, Edomites, and Syrians, may have seemed to the prophet the working out, step by step, of the dispersion which culminated in the deportation of the ten tribes by Shalmaneser, and of Judah and Benjamin by Nebuchadnezzar. Traces of such dispersions before Ezekiel's time meet us in <a href="/psalms/78-59.htm">Psalm 78:59-64</a>; <a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Isaiah 11:11, 12</a>; <a href="/zephaniah/3-10.htm">Zephaniah 3:10, 20</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">However,</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with an uplifted hand I swore</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשָׂ֧אתִי</span> <span class="translit">(nā·śā·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the wilderness</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(bam·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that I would scatter</span><br /><span class="heb">לְהָפִ֤יץ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·hā·p̄îṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6327.htm">Strong's 6327: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dispersed or scattered</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹתָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">among the nations</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bag·gō·w·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and disperse</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְזָר֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·zā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2219.htm">Strong's 2219: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss about, to diffuse, winnow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Direct object marker | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">throughout the lands.</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּאֲרָצֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/20-23.htm">Ezekiel 20:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/20-23.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:23 Moreover I swore to them (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>