Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:

EZEKIEL 36:6KJV
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Ezekiel 36:6 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 36:6 mean?

Ezekiel 36:6 describes God commanding the prophet Ezekiel to speak to the land of Israel—its mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys—declaring that God has spoken with jealousy and anger because the land has suffered disgrace from other nations. The verse shows God’s passionate response to how Israel’s land and people have been treated by outsiders.

In this verse, God is speaking through Ezekiel to the physical land of Israel, not just the people. The setting is during Israel’s exile, when foreign nations had mocked and shamed the land and its people. God’s words express both deep care for the land and anger at the nations (the "heathen") who have brought shame upon it.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 36:6

  • "Jealousy" (קִנְאָה, qin’ah): This word means a strong, protective zeal, often used for God’s intense commitment to His people or land. Here, it highlights God’s emotional investment in Israel’s fate.
  • "Fury" (חֵמָה, chemah): This word refers to burning anger or wrath. God’s fury in this context shows how seriously He takes the mistreatment of Israel’s land.
  • "Shame" (קָלוֹן, qalon): This word means disgrace or humiliation. The verse emphasizes that Israel’s land has carried the burden of being looked down on by other nations.

Why Ezekiel 36:6 matters

  • Ezekiel 36:6 clarifies that God’s concern is not only for the people but also for the land itself, treating it almost as if it could hear and respond.
  • The verse highlights God’s emotional response—His jealousy and fury—making clear that the suffering and shame brought by other nations are deeply personal matters to Him.
  • This verse sets up the hope and restoration that follows in the chapter, showing that God’s anger is tied to His desire to defend and restore what belongs to Him.

Where else these words appear

“rivers” Hebrew H650 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
  • Ezekiel 32:6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.

“shame” Hebrew H3639 · used in 29 verses

  • Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
  • Ezekiel 16:63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

“jealousy” Hebrew H7068 · used in 41 verses

  • Numbers 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled:
  • Psalms 119:139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
  • Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

“valleys” Hebrew H1516 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:39 And they went to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks.
  • Isaiah 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: