And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.

EZEKIEL 20:34KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 20:34 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 20:34 mean?

Ezekiel 20:34 describes God promising to bring the Israelites out from among other nations where they have been scattered, using great power and anger. The verse emphasizes that God will personally intervene, gathering His people with strength and determination, even in the midst of judgment.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the Israelites who are living in exile. The people have been scattered to various countries because of their disobedience. God’s words here highlight both His authority to rescue and His anger at their unfaithfulness, showing that their return will not be gentle but marked by His powerful action.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 20:34

  • "Out" (יָצָא, yatsa): This word means to bring out or lead forth. Here, it stresses God’s active role in taking the Israelites out from among other peoples, not just letting them drift back.
  • "Gather" (קָבַץ, qavats): This word means to collect or assemble. It shows that God is not only removing the people from other nations but also intentionally bringing them together as a group.
  • "Mighty" (חָזָק, chazaq) and "Hand" (יָד, yad): Together, these words paint a picture of overwhelming strength and authority, often used in the Hebrew Bible to describe God’s powerful acts, especially in the Exodus story.
  • "Fury" (חֵמָה, chemah): This word means intense anger or wrath. Its use here underlines that God’s action is not just about rescue but also about judgment for the people’s past actions.

Why Ezekiel 20:34 matters

  • Ezekiel 20:34 clarifies that God’s gathering of His people is not just a gentle homecoming but involves judgment and displays of power, correcting the idea that restoration always comes peacefully.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel 20, where God recounts Israel’s history of rebellion and His repeated interventions, showing both His patience and His justice.
  • Understanding the strong language of “mighty hand,” “stretched out arm,” and “fury” helps readers see the seriousness of the situation and the depth of God’s commitment to both discipline and restoration.

Where else these words appear

“mighty” Hebrew H2389 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
  • Deuteronomy 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
  • Proverbs 23:11 For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

“scattered” Hebrew H6327 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 10:18 And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
  • Job 18:11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
  • Ezekiel 11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 38:15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
  • Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

“out” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:15 But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.