Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

EZEKIEL 36:33KJV
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Ezekiel 36:33 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 36:33 mean?

Ezekiel 36:33 promises a fresh start for the people of Israel after their wrongdoing has left them displaced and their land ruined. The Lord says that when he has cleansed them from all their iniquities, he will also settle them in their cities and rebuild the ruined places.

The verse brings together two kinds of restoration: the removal of the people’s wrongdoing and the renewal of the places where they live. “In the day” marks the time when the Lord will bring these promises about.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 36:33

  • “cleansed” — טָהֵר (taher): This word can mean to make clean or pure. Here, the image of washing describes the removal of the people’s iniquities, not dirt from their bodies.
  • “iniquities” — עָוֹן (avon): This word refers to wrongdoing and can also carry the idea of the guilt or consequences connected with it. The verse presents the people’s offenses as the reason they need cleansing.
  • “wastes” — חָרְבָּה (chorbah): This word refers to a ruined or deserted place. The word pictures places that have fallen into ruin, rather than simply empty land.

Why Ezekiel 36:33 matters

  • The Lord presents the rebuilding as his own action. He says, “I will also cause you to dwell in the cities,” linking the people’s return to his promise.
  • The ruined land will become visibly fruitful again. The following verses describe land that had been desolate becoming cultivated and compare it to the garden of Eden (verses 34–35).
  • The restoration will also be seen by surrounding nations. Verse 36 says they will know that the Lord has rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate.

Where else these words appear

“wastes” Hebrew H2723 · used in 42 verses

  • Leviticus 26:31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.
  • Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
  • Ezekiel 13:4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.

“cleansed” Hebrew H2891 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
  • Leviticus 14:31 Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meat offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed before the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one