And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

EZEKIEL 28:26KJV
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Ezekiel 28:26 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 28:26 mean?

Ezekiel 28:26 promises that the people of Israel will one day live safely in their own land, able to build homes and plant vineyards without fear, because God will have judged those who treated them with contempt. This verse ends with the assurance that the people will recognize the LORD as their God when this security is restored.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the Israelites, who have been scattered and oppressed by surrounding nations. The verse looks forward to a time after judgment, when Israel will return home and enjoy peace and stability. The emphasis is on God’s protection and the restoration of normal life, showing that God’s actions will make His identity and care unmistakable to His people.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 28:26

  • "Dwell" (יָשַׁב, yashav) and "safely" (בֶּטַח, betach): The Hebrew words together highlight not just living in the land, but doing so with a sense of security and peace, free from threat.
  • "Executed judgments" (עָשָׂה מִשְׁפָּט, asah mishpat): This phrase means God will actively bring justice against those who despised Israel, not just passively allow events to happen.
  • "Despise" (שָׁאט, shaat): This word carries the sense of strong contempt or scorn, emphasizing the hostility Israel faced from neighboring peoples.

Why Ezekiel 28:26 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s future safety is not just about physical security, but about God’s direct intervention and justice on their behalf.
  • The promise to "build houses and plant vineyards" points to a return to normal, settled life, which would have been especially meaningful to exiles who had lost everything.
  • The verse connects to the wider message of Ezekiel 28, which includes judgments on Israel’s enemies, showing that God’s restoration of His people comes alongside His dealings with those who opposed them.

Where else these words appear

“despise” Hebrew H7590 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:57 Before thy wickedness was discovered, as at the time of thy reproach of the daughters of Syria, and all that are round about her, the daughters of the Philistines, which despise thee round about.
  • Ezekiel 28:24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

“judgments” Hebrew H8201 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
  • Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.
  • Ezekiel 16:41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.

“safely” Hebrew H983 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
  • Psalms 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
  • Jeremiah 49:31 Arise, get you up unto the wealthy nation, that dwelleth without care, saith the LORD, which have neither gates nor bars, which dwell alone.

“plant” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.