Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

EZEKIEL 36:17KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 36:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 36:17 mean?

Ezekiel 36:17 says that when the people of Israel lived in their own land, they made it unclean by their actions and behavior, which God saw as impure, like the ritual uncleanness associated with a woman during her period. This verse uses strong language to show how seriously God viewed Israel’s wrongdoing.

In this verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel, calling him "son of man," and explaining why Israel was judged and removed from their land. The people’s "way" and "doings" refer to their daily conduct and choices, which went against God’s standards. The comparison to the "uncleanness of a removed woman" would have been a vivid image for ancient listeners, highlighting the depth of Israel’s defilement in God’s eyes.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 36:17

  • "Defiled" (נִּטְּמָאָה, nitma’ah): This word means to make something ritually or morally unclean. Here, it stresses that Israel’s actions corrupted the land itself, not just their own lives.
  • "Way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This word points to a person’s overall lifestyle or pattern of behavior, not just isolated acts. God is saying that Israel’s entire way of living was corrupt.
  • "Uncleanness" (נִּדָּה, niddah): This term refers to ritual impurity, specifically the state of a woman during menstruation in ancient Israelite law. Using this word makes clear that Israel’s behavior was seen as something that separated them from God’s presence.

Why Ezekiel 36:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s exile was not random or unfair; it was a direct result of their persistent wrongdoing and the effect it had on their relationship with God.
  • The strong comparison to ritual impurity shows how deeply God cared about both moral and spiritual purity, not just outward religious practices.
  • Understanding this verse helps set up the rest of Ezekiel 36, where God promises to restore and cleanse Israel, making the contrast between their past and future even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“doings” Hebrew H5949 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 22:14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
  • Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
  • Ezekiel 14:23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

“woman” Hebrew H5079 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Leviticus 15:33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

“uncleanness” Hebrew H2932 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 5:3 Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.
  • Leviticus 16:19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

“defiled” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Numbers 35:34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.