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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 20:17 Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/20-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/26_Ezk_20_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 20:17 - Israel's Rebellion in Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness." /><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'; 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I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not bring about their annihilation in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not cause their annihilation in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not cause their annihilation in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Yet My eye had pity on them rather than bringing them to ruin, and I did not make <i>of</i> them a complete destruction in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet My eye [looked on them with compassion and] spared them instead of destroying them, and I did not annihilate them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I spared them from destruction and did not bring them to an end in the wilderness.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless mine eye spared them, and I destroyed them not, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Yet, I felt sorry for them and could not let them die in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But I had compassion on them. I didn't destroy them or completely wipe them out in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"But then I took pity on them. I decided not to kill them there in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Even then, I looked on them with compassion and didn't completely destroy them in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Yet I had pity on them and did not destroy them, so I did not make an end of them in the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn't destroy them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless my eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I didn’t destroy them. I didn’t make a full end of them in the wilderness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And My eye has pity on them—against destroying them, "" And I have not made an end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Mine eye hath pity on them -- against destroying them, And I have not made of them an end in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And mine eye will spare for them from destroying them, and I made not a completion with them in the desert.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Yet my eye spared them, so that I destroyed them not: neither did I consume them in the desert. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet my eye was lenient concerning them, so that I did not utterly destroy them, nor did I consume them in the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But I looked on them with pity, not wanting to destroy them, so I did not put an end to them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless my eye spared them, and I did not destroy them or make an end of them in the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless my eye spared them and I did not destroy them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And my eyes had pity upon them, that I would not destroy them, and I would not make an end of them in the wilderness<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Nevertheless Mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Yet mine eyes spared them, so as <i>not</i> to destroy them utterly, and I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/20-17.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=5202" 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 Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2347.htm" title="2347: wat·tā·ḥās (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To pity, look upon with compassion. A primitive root; properly, to cover, i.e. to compassionate.">Yet I looked on them with pity</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nî (N-csc:: 1cs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7843.htm" title="7843: miš·ša·ḥă·ṯām (Prep-m:: V-Piel-Inf:: 3mp) -- Perhaps to go to ruin. A primitive root; to decay, i.e. ruin.">and did not destroy them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">bring</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/3617.htm" title="3617: kā·lāh (N-fs) -- Completion, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation. From kalah; a completion; adverb, completely; also destruction.">to an end</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> </span><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="/psalms/78-38.htm">Psalm 78:38</a></span><br />And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-19.htm">Nehemiah 9:19</a></span><br />You in Your great compassion did not forsake them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud never turned away from guiding them on their path; and by the night the pillar of fire illuminated the way they should go.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-9.htm">Isaiah 63:9</a></span><br />In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-22.htm">Lamentations 3:22</a></span><br />Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a></span><br />‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-31.htm">Deuteronomy 4:31</a></span><br />For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">2 Kings 13:23</a></span><br />But the LORD was gracious to Israel and had compassion on them, and He turned toward them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And to this day, the LORD has been unwilling to destroy them or cast them from His presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8-10</a></span><br />The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. / He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever. / He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-8.htm">Hosea 11:8-9</a></span><br />How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! / I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man—the Holy One among you—and I will not come in wrath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-15.htm">Romans 9:15-16</a></span><br />For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” / So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-11.htm">James 5:11</a></span><br />See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Nevertheless my eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">mine</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/8-18.htm">Ezekiel 8:18</a></b></br> Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, <i>yet</i> will I not hear them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/9-10.htm">Ezekiel 9:10</a></b></br> And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, <i>but</i> I will recompense their way upon their head.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/24-10.htm">1 Samuel 24:10</a></b></br> Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and <i>some</i> bade <i>me</i> kill thee: but <i>mine eye</i> spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he <i>is</i> the LORD'S anointed.</p><p class="hdg">neither</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/7-2.htm">Ezekiel 7:2</a></b></br> Also, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/11-13.htm">Ezekiel 11:13</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-27.htm">Jeremiah 4:27</a></b></br> For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Annihilation</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-4.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezekiel/17-10.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-39.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-7.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-8.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-14.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-42.htm">End</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-5.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-10.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-22.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-60.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-5.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-12.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-15.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Annihilation</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-15.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-4.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-31.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">End</a> <a href="/amos/9-4.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-21.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-14.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-11.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/daniel/5-19.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.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>Yet I looked on them with pity</b><br>This phrase highlights God's compassion and mercy towards the Israelites despite their rebellion. In the context of <a href="/ezekiel/20.htm">Ezekiel 20</a>, God recounts Israel's history of disobedience, yet He consistently shows mercy. This reflects God's character as described in <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a>, where He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." The Hebrew word for "pity" can also be translated as "spared" or "had compassion," indicating a deep emotional response from God. This mercy is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, as seen in the stories of the Judges and the repeated cycles of sin and redemption.<p><b>and did not destroy them</b><br>Despite their idolatry and rebellion, God chose not to annihilate the Israelites. This decision is significant in light of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising to make their descendants a great nation (<a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a>). God's restraint from destruction underscores His faithfulness to His promises, even when His people are unfaithful. This act of mercy is also a foreshadowing of the ultimate mercy shown through Jesus Christ, who came to save rather than condemn (<a href="/john/3-17.htm">John 3:17</a>).<p><b>or bring them to an end in the wilderness</b><br>The wilderness journey of the Israelites is a critical period in their history, marked by both divine provision and human failure. Despite their repeated complaints and lack of faith, God provided manna, quail, and water, demonstrating His sustaining power. The wilderness is often seen as a place of testing and purification, preparing the Israelites for entry into the Promised Land. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's people being preserved through trials, as seen in the New Testament with the early church facing persecution yet growing in faith and numbers (<a href="/acts/8.htm">Acts 8:1-4</a>). The wilderness experience can be seen as a type of the Christian journey, where believers are refined and prepared for their ultimate home with God.<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, Ezekiel is the mouthpiece of God, delivering messages of judgment and hope to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are often rebellious and disobedient, leading to their exile and suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>Represents the period of Israel's wandering after the Exodus from Egypt, a time of testing and divine provision.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy.htm">God's Mercy</a></b><br>Despite Israel's rebellion, God shows compassion and refrains from complete destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of Ezekiel's prophecies, where the Israelites are in captivity due to their disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_unfailing_mercy.htm">God's Unfailing Mercy</a></b><br>Despite repeated rebellion, God’s mercy prevails. This teaches us about the depth of God's compassion and patience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>While God is merciful, the Israelites still faced consequences for their actions. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_times_of_judgment.htm">Hope in Times of Judgment</a></b><br>Even in judgment, God provides hope and a future. Believers can trust in God's ultimate plan and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_mercy.htm">Reflecting God's Mercy</a></b><br>As recipients of God's mercy, we are called to extend mercy and compassion to others, reflecting God's character in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_history.htm">Learning from History</a></b><br>The history of Israel serves as a lesson for us to remain faithful and obedient, avoiding the pitfalls of past generations.<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/what_does_'judgment_at_god's_house'_mean.htm">What does 'Judgment Begins at the House of God' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ezekiel_37_25-28_fulfilled_today.htm">How can Ezekiel 37:25-28's everlasting covenant and sanctuary be understood when there seems to be no clear historical or present-day fulfillment matching this depiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_scripture_show_collective_punishment.htm">Ezekiel 33:17 - If God's ways are truly just, why do we see instances of collective punishment and suffering elsewhere in Scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_this.htm">What is the plot of Kingdom of Darkness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/20-17.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">Yet I looked on them with pity</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתָּ֧חָס</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tā·ḥās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2347.htm">Strong's 2347: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pity, look upon with compassion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and did not destroy them</span><br /><span class="heb">מִֽשַּׁחֲתָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(miš·ša·ḥă·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7843.htm">Strong's 7843: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps to go to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bring</span><br /><span class="heb">עָשִׂ֧יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·śî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹתָ֛ם</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">to an end</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּלָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(kā·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3617.htm">Strong's 3617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Completion, complete destruction, consumption, annihilation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the wilderness.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Ezekiel 20:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:17 Nevertheless my eye spared them and (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:18" /></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>