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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 36:2 This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, 'Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/36-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/26_Ezk_36_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 36:2 - A Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, 'Aha! 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The ancient heights have become our possession."&#8217 <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/36.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Your enemies have taunted you, saying, ‘Aha! Now the ancient heights belong to us!’ <a href="/esv/ezekiel/36.htm">English Standard Version</a> Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the enemy said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/36.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/36.htm">King James Bible</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession: <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/36.htm">New King James Version</a> Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ ” ’ <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/36.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: “Since the enemy has spoken against you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The everlasting heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/36.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8216Thus says the Lord GOD, &#8220Because the enemy has spoken against you, &#8216Aha!&#8217 and, &#8216The everlasting heights have become our possession,&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/36.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because the enemy has spoken against you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The everlasting heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/36.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Thus says Lord Yahweh, “Because the enemy has spoken against you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The everlasting heights have become our possession,’ <a href="/amp/ezekiel/36.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Thus says the Lord GOD, “Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our property,’ <a href="/csb/ezekiel/36.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said about you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,” ’ <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/36.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said about you, &#8216Good! The ancient heights have become our possession,&#8217 <a href="/asv/ezekiel/36.htm">American Standard Version</a> Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha! and, The ancient high places are ours in possession; <a href="/cev/ezekiel/36.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> that I, the LORD God, am saying: Your enemies sneered and said that you mountains belonged to them. <a href="/erv/ezekiel/36.htm">English Revised Version</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD: Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha! and, The ancient high places are ours in possession: <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/36.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This is what the Almighty LORD says: Your enemies said this about you, "Aha! The ancient worship sites now belong to us."' <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/36.htm">Good News Translation</a> the Sovereign LORD, have for them: Israel's enemies gloated and said, 'Now those ancient hills are ours!' <a href="/isv/ezekiel/36.htm">International Standard Version</a> "This is what the Lord GOD says: 'The enemy has been saying about you, "Good! The ancient heights are back in our possession!"'"' <a href="/msb/ezekiel/36.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, ?Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,? <a href="/net/ezekiel/36.htm">NET Bible</a> This is what the sovereign LORD says: The enemy has spoken against you, saying "Aha!" and, "The ancient heights have become our property!"' <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/36.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because the enemy has said against you, 'Aha.' and, 'The ancient high places are ours in possession'"'; <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/36.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the enemy had said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession: <a href="/web/ezekiel/36.htm">World English Bible</a> The Lord Yahweh says: ‘Because the enemy has said against you, “Aha!” and, “The ancient high places are ours in possession!”’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/36.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Thus said Lord YHWH: Because the enemy said against you, Aha! The high places of old have also become our possession, <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/36.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because the enemy said against you, Aha, and the high places of old for a possession have been to us, <a href="/slt/ezekiel/36.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Because the enemy said against you, Aha! and the heights of old were for a possession to us:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/36.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Thus saith the Lord God: Because the enemy hath said of you: Aha, the everlasting heights are given to us for an inheritance. <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/36.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Thus says the Lord God: Because the enemy has said about you: ‘It is well! The everlasting heights have been given to us as an inheritance!’ <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/36.htm">New American Bible</a> Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the enemy said about you, “Ha! the ancient heights have become our possession,” <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/36.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the enemy said of you, “Aha!” and, “The ancient heights have become our possession,”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/36.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Thus says the LORD God: Because the enemy has said against you. Aha, the ancient high places are ours for a possession; <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/36.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Thus says THE LORD OF LORDS: because the enemy said against you, ‘Aha!’, and he said, ‘The hills are our inheritance from eternity’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/36.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Thus saith the Lord GOD: Because the enemy hath said against you: Aha! even the ancient high places are ours in possession; <a href="/sep/ezekiel/36.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Thus saith the Lord God; Because the enemy has said against you, Aha, the old waste places are become a possession for us: <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=10464" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/36.htm">A Prophecy to the Mountains of Israel</a> 1“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. 2<a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">This is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">the Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3069.htm" title="3069: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- YHWH. A variation of Yhovah.">GOD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3282.htm" title="3282: ya·‘an (Adv) -- From an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose; used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause.">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: hā·’ō·w·yêḇ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">the enemy</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">has said</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">of you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1889.htm" title="1889: he·’āḥ (Interjection) -- Aha! From he' and 'ach; aha!">‘Aha!</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: ‘ō·w·lām (N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">The ancient</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: ū·ḇā·mō·wṯ (Conj-w:: N-fpc) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">heights</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">have become</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">our</a> <a href="/hebrew/4181.htm" title="4181: lə·mō·w·rā·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- A possession. Feminine of mowrash; a possession.">possession,’</a> 3therefore prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Because they have made you desolate and have trampled you on every side, so that you became a possession of the rest of the nations and were taken up in slander by the lips of their talkers,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4</a> saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” <a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-14</a> Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ... <a href="/jeremiah/50-7.htm">Jeremiah 50:7</a> All who found them devoured them, and their enemies said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their true pasture, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’ <a href="/lamentations/2-16.htm">Lamentations 2:16</a> All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” <a href="/isaiah/34-8.htm">Isaiah 34:8</a> For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. <a href="/zephaniah/2-8.htm">Zephaniah 2:8-10</a> “I have heard the reproach of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who have taunted My people and threatened their borders. / Therefore, as surely as I live,” declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, “surely Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah—a place of weeds and salt pits, a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.” / This they shall have in return for their pride, for taunting and mocking the people of the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/psalms/137-7.htm">Psalm 137:7</a> Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!” <a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-6</a> Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ... <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11-12</a> This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. / So I will send fire upon Teman to consume the citadels of Bozrah.” <a href="/malachi/1-4.htm">Malachi 1:4</a> Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever. <a href="/matthew/5-5.htm">Matthew 5:5</a> Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. <a href="/romans/11-11.htm">Romans 11:11-12</a> I ask then, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Certainly not! However, because of their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. / But if their trespass means riches for the world, and their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! <a href="/luke/1-71.htm">Luke 1:71-74</a> salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, / to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us ... <a href="/acts/13-46.htm">Acts 13:46-47</a> Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” <a href="/romans/15-8.htm">Romans 15:8-12</a> For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, / so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name.” / Again, it says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Thus said the Lord GOD; Because the enemy has said against you, Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession:Because<a href="/ezekiel/36-5.htm">Ezekiel 36:5</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.<a href="/ezekiel/25-3.htm">Ezekiel 25:3</a> And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;<a href="/ezekiel/26-2.htm">Ezekiel 26:2</a> Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:even<a href="/deuteronomy/32-13.htm">Deuteronomy 32:13</a> He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;<a href="/psalms/78-69.htm">Psalm 78:69</a> And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.<a href="/isaiah/58-14.htm">Isaiah 58:14</a> Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.our's<a href="/ezekiel/35-10.htm">Ezekiel 35:10</a> Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:<a href="/jeremiah/49-1.htm">Jeremiah 49:1</a> Concerning the Ammonites, thus saith the LORD; Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth their king inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/26-2.htm">Aha</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-5.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-12.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-9.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-10.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-14.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-12.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-14.htm">High</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-10.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-26.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-10.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-14.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/ezekiel/35-15.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/39-25.htm">Aha</a> <a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/hosea/8-1.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-26.htm">Everlasting</a> <a href="/micah/7-8.htm">Hater</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-3.htm">Heights</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-12.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-2.htm">High</a> <a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-10.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-3.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-7.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-10.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 36</div>1. <a href="/ezekiel/36-1.htm">The land of Israel is comforted, by destruction of the heathen, who spitefully used it</a> 8. <a href="/ezekiel/36-8.htm">and by the blessings of God promised unto it</a> 16. <a href="/ezekiel/36-16.htm">Israel was rejected for their sin</a> 21. <a href="/ezekiel/36-21.htm">and shall be restored without their desert</a> 25. <a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">The blessings of Christ's kingdom</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/36.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/36.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>This is what the Lord GOD says: This phrase introduces a divine proclamation, emphasizing the authority and sovereignty of God. It is a common prophetic formula used throughout the Old Testament to signify that the following message is not from the prophet himself but from God. This underscores the importance and seriousness of the message. Similar introductions can be found in other prophetic books, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, where God directly addresses His people or their adversaries.Because the enemy has said of you: The "enemy" here refers to the surrounding nations, particularly Edom and other adversaries of Israel, who have taken advantage of Israel's weakened state. Historically, these nations often sought to exploit Israel during times of vulnerability, such as during the Babylonian exile. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament where Israel's enemies mock or plot against them, as seen in Psalms and Lamentations.‘Aha! This expression is one of derision and triumph, indicating the enemy's gloating over Israel's misfortune. It is an exclamation of scorn, similar to other instances in the Psalms where adversaries express joy over Israel's troubles. This highlights the contempt and hostility that Israel faced from surrounding nations.The ancient heights have become our possession,’ The "ancient heights" refer to the high places in the land of Israel, which were often sites of worship and held significant cultural and religious importance. These locations were not only strategic military points but also symbolized the spiritual heritage of Israel. The enemy's claim to these heights signifies a deeper attempt to usurp Israel's land and spiritual legacy. This echoes the broader biblical narrative of the Promised Land and God's covenant with Israel, as seen in Genesis and Deuteronomy. The enemy's claim is ultimately futile, as God promises restoration and vindication for His people, a theme that runs throughout Ezekiel and other prophetic books.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a> A prophet of God during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_god.htm">The Lord GOD</a> The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks through Ezekiel. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_enemy.htm">The Enemy</a> Refers to the surrounding nations, particularly Edom, who rejoiced over Israel's downfall and sought to claim their land. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ancient_heights.htm">The Ancient Heights</a> Symbolic of the land of Israel, particularly the high places that were often sites of worship and significance. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> God's chosen people, who are in exile and whose land is being coveted by their enemies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> Despite the enemy's claims, God remains in control and has a plan for His people. Trust in God's ultimate authority over all circumstances. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride_and_gloating.htm">The Danger of Pride and Gloating</a> The enemy's attitude of "Aha!" reflects pride and a false sense of security. Believers should guard against rejoicing in others' misfortunes. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a> While the enemy may temporarily possess the land, God's promise of restoration for Israel remains. Believers can find hope in God's faithfulness to restore and redeem. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a> The "ancient heights" were often places of idolatry. This serves as a reminder to remain vigilant in our spiritual lives and avoid complacency. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice.htm">God's Justice</a> The passage foreshadows God's judgment on the nations that oppose His people. Trust in God's justice, even when wronged by others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_36.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 36</a> <a href="/q/does_1_sam_2_30-36_contradict_ezekiel_18.htm">In 1 Samuel 2:30-36, God pronounces judgment on Eli's family--does this contradict later scriptural teachings on individual accountability (e.g., Ezekiel 18)?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_cyrus's_decree_conflict_historically.htm">Why does the decree of Cyrus in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 appear to conflict with other historical records about Persian policies toward conquered peoples?</a> <a href="/q/what_records_show_god_took_judah.htm">Zechariah 2:12 - Given the centuries of exile and conflict, what archaeological or historical records confirm that the Lord truly 'took possession of Judah' in a lasting, literal sense?</a> <a href="/q/can_'pleasant_places'_be_taken_literally.htm">(Psalm 16:5-6) In light of historical changes in territory and borders, how can the 'pleasant places' and 'heritage' still be taken literally or reliably?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/36.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) The ancient high places.--This is very nearly the same expression as in <a href="/genesis/49-26.htm" title="The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brothers.">Genesis 49:26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/33-15.htm" title="And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,">Deuteronomy 33:15</a>, where it is translated "everlasting (or lasting) hills," and is probably an allusion to those passages. "The enemy" is a general term, which may refer to Edom; but from the following verses it is more likely that it is used for the heathen at large. When Israel's land had been left desolate, the surrounding nations claimed that God's promise to His people had failed, and that they themselves might now enter upon its secure possession.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/36.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Because the enemy hath said against you. The ground of Jehovah's purposed proceeding against Edom and the surrounding heathen peoples (vers. 3, 5) is expressly declared to be the jubilation over the downfall of Israel, and the eagerness with which they sought to appropriate to themselves her forsaken land. Aha! Exulting over Israel's misfortune (comp. <a href="/ezekiel/25-3.htm">Ezekiel 25:3</a>; <a href="/psalms/40-16.htm">Psalm 40:16</a>). The ancient high places, which Israel's enemies fancied had become theirs in possession, were probably "the everlasting hills" of <a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Genesis 49:26</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/33-15.htm">Deuteronomy 33:15</a>, the principal mountains of Palestine, which, as Havernick finely observes, were "the honorable witnesses and indestructible monuments of that ancient blessing spoken by Israel's ancestor, and still resting on the people;" and to assail which was, in consequence, not only to sin against Jehovah, but to attempt an enterprise foredoomed to failure and shame. At the same time, Plumptre's suggestion ('Ezekiel: an Ideal Biography,' Expositor, vol. 8:284; and Unpublished Notes) is not without plausibility, that, considering the special significance of the term bamoth in Ezekiel, the phrase should be held as referring to the sanctuaries which stood upon those heights - including, of course, the chief sanctuary, or temple (Schroder); in support of which the dean cites the frequency with which the enemies of Israel, as, for instance, the Assyrians and the Moabites, in their inscriptions, boasted that they had captured these sanctuaries (see 'Records of the Past,' 2nd series, tel. 1. p. 107; 2:203). <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>This is what כֹּ֤ה (kōh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> Like this, thus, here, now the Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> The Lord GOD יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH says: אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say Because יַ֣עַן (ya·‘an) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3282.htm">Strong's 3282: </a> Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause the enemy הָאוֹיֵ֛ב (hā·’ō·w·yêḇ) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> Hating, an adversary has said אָמַ֧ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say of you, עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against “Aha! הֶאָ֑ח (he·’āḥ) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1889.htm">Strong's 1889: </a> Aha! The ancient עוֹלָ֔ם (‘ō·w·lām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always heights וּבָמ֣וֹת (ū·ḇā·mō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> An elevation have become הָ֥יְתָה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be our לָּֽנוּ׃ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> possession,” לְמֽוֹרָשָׁ֖ה (lə·mō·w·rā·šāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4181.htm">Strong's 4181: </a> A possession <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/36-2.htm">Ezekiel 36:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-2.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 36:2 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because (Ezek. 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