And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

EZEKIEL 6:9KJV
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Ezekiel 6:9 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 6:9 mean?

Ezekiel 6:9 says that some Israelites will survive exile and, while living among foreign nations, will remember God and feel deep regret for turning away from Him to worship idols. The verse describes how their unfaithfulness broke God’s heart, and how the survivors will come to loathe themselves for their past wrongdoings and idolatry.

The prophet Ezekiel is speaking God’s message to Israelites who will be taken as captives because of their persistent idol worship. The verse paints a picture of future repentance: after experiencing the consequences of their actions, the exiles will realize the seriousness of their betrayal and feel genuine sorrow for abandoning God.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 6:9

  • "broken" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word often means "shattered" or "crushed." Here, it describes God’s emotional response, showing that their unfaithfulness deeply wounded Him, not just angered Him.
  • "whorish" (זָנָה, zanah) and "whoring" (זָנָה, zanah): Both words use the imagery of unfaithfulness in a marriage to describe Israel’s idol worship. This strong language highlights the personal and relational nature of their betrayal.
  • "lothe" (קוּץ, quts): This word means to feel intense disgust or self-rejection. It shows that the survivors’ regret is not just intellectual but deeply emotional—they will be sickened by their own actions.

Why Ezekiel 6:9 matters

  • Ezekiel 6:9 clarifies that God’s judgment is not just about punishment but also about leading people to remember, regret, and return to Him.
  • The verse emphasizes the depth of God’s pain over Israel’s unfaithfulness, using strong relational language that helps readers understand the seriousness of idolatry.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Ezekiel, where judgment is always paired with the hope of repentance and restoration for those who remember God.