Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you tell us what you mean by this?’ New Living Translation When your people ask you what your actions mean, English Standard Version And when your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean by these?’ Berean Standard Bible When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ Berean Literal Bible And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show to us what these are to you??’ King James Bible And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? New King James Version “And when the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show us what you mean by these?’— New American Standard Bible And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ NASB 1995 “When the sons of your people speak to you saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ NASB 1977 “And when the sons of your people speak to you saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ Legacy Standard Bible And when the sons of your people speak to you saying, ‘Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?’ Amplified Bible When your people say to you, ‘Will you not tell us what you mean by these?’ Berean Annotated Bible When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these? Christian Standard Bible When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things? ’ — Holman Christian Standard Bible When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these things?’— American Standard Version And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? Contemporary English Version And when your people ask you what this means, English Revised Version And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? GOD'S WORD® Translation 'Tell us what you mean by this.' Good News Translation When your people ask you to tell them what this means, International Standard Version When the descendants of your people ask you, 'Would you please explain to us what you mean by this?' NET Bible When your people say to you, 'Will you not tell us what these things mean?' New Heart English Bible When the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, 'Will you not show us what you mean by these?' Webster's Bible Translation And when the children of thy people shall speak to thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ World English Bible “When the children of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Won’t you show us what you mean by these?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd when sons of your people speak to you, saying, Do you not declare to us what these [are] to you? Berean Literal Bible And when the sons of your people speak to you, saying, ‘Will you not show to us what these are to you??’ Young's Literal Translation And when sons of thy people speak unto thee, saying, Dost thou not declare to us what these are to thee? Smith's Literal Translation And when the sons of thy people shall say to thee, saying, Wilt thou not announce to us what these to thee? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the children of thy people shall speak to thee, saying: Wilt thou not tell us what thou meanest by this? Catholic Public Domain Version Then, when the sons of your people will speak to you, saying: ‘Will you not tell us what you intend by this?’ New American Bible When your people ask you, “Will you not tell us what you mean by all this?” New Revised Standard Version And when your people say to you, “Will you not show us what you mean by these?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if your people should say to you, Will you not show us what is the meaning of these sticks? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when the children of your people have said to you, ‘Show us what these are’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying: Wilt thou not tell us what thou meanest by these? Brenton Septuagint Translation And it shall come to pass, when the children of thy people shall say to thee, Wilt thou not tell us what thou meanest by these things? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context One Nation with One King…17Then join them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand. 18When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ 19you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and I will put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick, and they will become one in My hand.’… Cross References When your people ask you, Ezekiel 12:9-11 “Son of man, hasn’t the rebellious house of Israel asked you, ‘What are you doing?’ / Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are there.’ / You are to say, ‘I am a sign to you.’ Just as it happened here, so will it be done to them; they will go into exile as captives. Jeremiah 21:1-2 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” Jeremiah 37:17 Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” ‘Won’t you explain to us Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Luke 8:9-10 Then His disciples asked Him what this parable meant. / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ Mark 4:10-11 As soon as Jesus was alone with the Twelve and those around Him, they asked Him about the parable. / He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables, what you mean by these?’ Ezekiel 24:19 Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean to us?” Joshua 4:6-7 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ / you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” Exodus 12:26-27 When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ / you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped. Jeremiah 3:18 In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance. Isaiah 11:12-13 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. / Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. Hosea 1:11 Then the people of Judah and of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint for themselves one leader, and will go up out of the land. For great will be the day of Jezreel. Jeremiah 50:4 “In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Jeremiah 31:31-33 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. Zechariah 10:6 I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them. Treasury of Scripture And when the children of your people shall speak to you, saying, Will you not show us what you mean by these? Wilt Ezekiel 12:9 Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou? Ezekiel 17:12 Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon; Ezekiel 20:49 Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Doth he not speak parables? Jump to Previous Children Clear Countrymen Declare Mean Meanest Shew Show Speak Will Wilt Won'tJump to Next Children Clear Countrymen Declare Mean Meanest Shew Show Speak Will Wilt Won'tEzekiel 37 1. By the resurrection of dry bones11. the dead hope of Israel is revived 15. By the uniting of two sticks 18. is shown the incorporation of Israel into Judah 21. The promises of Christ's kingdom When your people ask you, This phrase indicates a direct communication between God and the prophet Ezekiel, highlighting the role of the prophet as a mediator between God and the people of Israel. The term "your people" refers to the Israelites, who are in exile in Babylon at this time. This context is crucial as it reflects the people's need for understanding and guidance during a period of displacement and uncertainty. The role of a prophet often involved addressing the questions and concerns of the people, serving as a conduit for divine revelation. ‘Won’t you explain to us what you mean by these?’ Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet of God during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites. 2. The Israelites The people of God who are in exile in Babylon, seeking understanding and hope for their future. 3. The Valley of Dry Bones A vision given to Ezekiel symbolizing the restoration of Israel, preceding this verse. 4. The Two Sticks In the context of Ezekiel 37, these represent the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which God promises to reunite. 5. Babylon The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a period of judgment and purification. Teaching Points Understanding Prophetic SymbolsThe importance of seeking understanding of God's messages, as the Israelites did, encourages us to delve deeper into Scripture. Hope in Restoration Just as God promised to restore Israel, He offers hope and restoration in our lives today, regardless of our circumstances. Unity in Christ The reunification of Israel and Judah foreshadows the unity believers have in Christ, breaking down divisions. God's Sovereignty The fulfillment of God's promises in Ezekiel reminds us of His control over history and His faithfulness to His word. Active Faith Like Ezekiel, we are called to be active participants in God's plan, sharing His messages and living out our faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezekiel 37:18?2. How does Ezekiel 37:18 illustrate God's plan for unity among His people? 3. What role does prophecy play in understanding God's promises in Ezekiel 37:18? 4. How can Ezekiel 37:18 inspire us to seek unity in our church? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Ezekiel 37:18 and New Testament teachings on unity? 6. How can we apply the message of Ezekiel 37:18 in our daily lives? 7. What is the significance of the two sticks in Ezekiel 37:18? 8. How does Ezekiel 37:18 relate to the unity of Israel? 9. What historical context is necessary to understand Ezekiel 37:18? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 37? 11. What does 'fathers ate sour grapes' mean? 12. Why does Ezekiel 15:6-8 imply a total judgment on Jerusalem if other scriptures promise divine restoration? 13. How do we explain the apparent lack of fulfillment of Ezekiel 37:21-22, which promises a unified kingdom under one ruler, given the continued dispersion and divisions of the Jewish people? 14. How does Jeremiah 18 align with other passages that depict God's judgment as predetermined, creating a seeming contradiction about free will? What Does Ezekiel 37:18 Mean When• The word “When” signals a real moment in history—after Ezekiel has held the two sticks together (Ezekiel 37:16-17). • God anticipates the response of the exiles; He knows their hearts before they speak (Psalm 139:2). • Throughout Ezekiel, sign-acts are timed to provoke questions (Ezekiel 12:9; 24:24). Here, the Lord orchestrates the timing so the message cannot be missed. your people ask you • Though in Babylon, they are still called “your people,” underscoring covenant identity (Leviticus 26:44; Ezekiel 11:20). • Asking shows a softening heart, contrasting earlier rebellion (Ezekiel 2:3-5). God welcomes honest inquiry (Jeremiah 33:3; James 1:5). • The prophet stands as mediator—he listens to the people and delivers God’s answer, just as Moses did (Exodus 18:19). ‘Won’t you explain to us • The request mirrors other moments when listeners sought clarification—disciples with Jesus (Mark 4:10) and the Ethiopian with Philip (Acts 8:30-31). • It underscores that signs require Spirit-given interpretation; without it, people remain puzzled (1 Corinthians 2:14). • God uses plain speech through His servants so truth is accessible, not hidden (Habakkuk 2:2; 2 Corinthians 3:12). what you mean by these?’ • “These” refers to the joined sticks—Judah and Joseph reunited. The meaning is spelled out in the next verses: one kingdom, one king (Ezekiel 37:19-22). • Other prophets echo the same promise of national and spiritual restoration (Isaiah 11:12-13; Hosea 1:11; Jeremiah 30:3). • The prophecy looks ahead to Messiah’s reign—“My servant David will be king over them” (Ezekiel 37:24), fulfilled in Christ, the Son of David (Luke 1:31-33). • It prefigures the broader unity of God’s people—“there will be one flock and one Shepherd” (John 10:16) and Jew and Gentile made one in Him (Ephesians 2:14-16). summary Ezekiel 37:18 shows God prompting His people to seek understanding so He can unveil a sure promise: the literal reunification of Israel under one Davidic King, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Their question opens the door for a clear, hope-filled revelation of national restoration and everlasting covenant grace. Verses 18-20. - Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? literally, what these (two pieces of wood) are to thee. The suggestion that such a request would be preferred to Ezekiel makes it clear he was meant to perform the symbolic action in public. That his countrymen should fail to understand this action accorded with their proverbial dullness of apprehension (comp. Ezekiel 12:9; Ezekiel 24:19). In explanation, the prophet was enjoined to say unto them, while holding the sticks in his hand, that just as he had made the sticks one in his hand, so would God make one in his hand the two kingdoms symbolized by the sticks. The union of the sticks was to be Ezekiel's work (ver. 17, "in thy hand"); the union of the kingdoms should be Jehovah's (ver. 19, "in my hand"). The separation of the kingdoms had been Ephraim's doing ("in the hand of Ephraim"); their combination should be God's ("in my hand"). Their severance had been effected, on the part of Ephraim, by an unlawful breaking off from the house of Judah, and the establishment of an independent kingdom; their unification should be brought about by the putting down of Ephraim, and the confirming of the crown rights of Judah. The translation, And will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, signifying "And will put the tribes of Israel with him." i.e. the tribe of Judah, supported by the LXX., and preferred by Ewald, Smend, and others, is superior to that of the Revised Version margin, "And will put them together with it, unto [or, ' to be'] the stick of Judah." Keil s rendering, "I will take the stick of Joseph... and the tribes of Israel his companions, which I put thereon [literally, 'and I put them,' viz. the tribes, 'upon it,' i.e. the stick of Joseph] with the stick of Judah," is too involved.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whenוְכַֽאֲשֶׁר֙ (wə·ḵa·’ă·šer) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that your people בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son ask יֹאמְר֣וּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say you, אֵלֶ֔יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘Won't הֲלֽוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no you explain תַגִּ֥יד (ṯag·gîḏ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous to us לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew what מָה־ (māh-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what you [mean] by לָּֽךְ׃ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew these?’ אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those Links Ezekiel 37:18 NIVEzekiel 37:18 NLT Ezekiel 37:18 ESV Ezekiel 37:18 NASB Ezekiel 37:18 KJV Ezekiel 37:18 BibleApps.com Ezekiel 37:18 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 37:18 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 37:18 French Bible Ezekiel 37:18 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Ezekiel 37:18 When the children of your people shall (Ezek. 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