Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession.
EZEKIEL 11:15KJVWhat does Ezekiel 11:15 mean?
Ezekiel 11:15 describes how the people still living in Jerusalem have told the exiles, including Ezekiel and his fellow captives, that they are cut off from God and that the land now belongs only to those who remain in the city. The verse highlights a division between those left in Jerusalem and those taken away, with the former claiming exclusive rights to the land and God's favor.
In this verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel, who is among the exiles in Babylon. The people still in Jerusalem have told the exiles to "get you far from the LORD," suggesting that being taken away means losing God's presence and inheritance. This reveals the attitude of the Jerusalemites, who believe they alone are God's people because they remain in the land, while the exiles are dismissed as outsiders.
The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 11:15
- "Brethren" (אַחִים, 'achim): This word is repeated for emphasis, showing that Ezekiel's fellow exiles are his true family and community, not just by blood but by shared experience and fate.
- "Kindred" (גְּאֻלָּה, ge'ullah): This word often refers to close relatives or those with a right of redemption, underlining the deep family and covenant ties among the exiles.
- "Far" (רָחַק, rachaq): The Jerusalemites tell the exiles to "get you far from the LORD," using a word that means to be distant or separated. This shows the harshness of their rejection, as if the exiles are now outside God's reach.
- "Possession" (מוֹרָשָׁה, morashah): The claim that the land is "given in possession" to those in Jerusalem uses a word for inherited property, stressing their belief that only they have the right to the land and its blessings.
Why Ezekiel 11:15 matters
- This verse clears up the mistaken belief that God's presence and promises are tied only to being physically in Jerusalem or the land of Israel.
- Ezekiel 11:15 sets up a major theme in Ezekiel: God is not limited by geography, and the exiles are not abandoned by Him, despite what those left behind claim.
- The verse highlights the deep rift and misunderstanding between the exiles and those still in Jerusalem, which shapes much of Ezekiel's message about judgment, hope, and restoration.