Ezekiel 39:23
New International Version
And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

New Living Translation
The nations will then know why Israel was sent away to exile—it was punishment for sin, for they were unfaithful to their God. Therefore, I turned away from them and let their enemies destroy them.

English Standard Version
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.

Berean Standard Bible
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.

King James Bible
And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

New King James Version
The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

New American Standard Bible
The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their wrongdoing, because they were disloyal to Me, and I hid My face from them; so I handed them over to their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.

NASB 1995
“The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.

NASB 1977
“And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted unfaithfully against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword.

Amplified Bible
And the nations will know [without any doubt] that the house of Israel went into exile for their great sin, because they acted treacherously against Me; and I hid My face (favor, blessing) from them. So I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell [into captivity or were killed] by [the power of] the sword.

Christian Standard Bible
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile on account of their iniquity, because they dealt unfaithfully with me. Therefore, I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile on account of their iniquity, because they dealt unfaithfully with Me. Therefore, I hid My face from them and handed them over to their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.

American Standard Version
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them: so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword.

Contemporary English Version
Foreign nations will realize that the Israelites were forced to leave their own land because they sinned against me. I turned my back on my people and let enemies attack and kill them.

English Revised Version
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them: so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the nations will know that the people of Israel went into captivity because they did wrong and rebelled against me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies. They were killed in battle.

Good News Translation
And the nations will know that the Israelites went into exile because of the sins which they committed against me. I turned away from them and let their enemies defeat them and kill them in battle.

International Standard Version
The nations will also learn that because of Israel's sin the house of Israel went into captivity, since they were unfaithful in their behavior toward me. As a result, I hid my presence from them, turned them over to the control of their enemies, and they died by violence.

Majority Standard Bible
And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword.

NET Bible
The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile due to their iniquity, for they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies; all of them died by the sword.

New Heart English Bible
The nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them: so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore I hid my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so they all fell by the sword.

World English Bible
The nations will know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the nations have known "" That the house of Israel was removed for their iniquity, "" Because they have trespassed against Me, "" And I hide My face from them, "" And give them into the hand of their adversaries, "" And they fall by sword—all of them.

Young's Literal Translation
And known have the nations that for their iniquity, Removed have the house of Israel, Because they have trespassed against Me, And I do hide My face from them, And give them into the hand of their adversaries, And they fall by sword -- all of them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the nations shall know that for their iniquity the house of Israel were carried away captive: because they transgressed against me, and I will hide my face from them, and I will give them into the hand of their enemies, and they shall fall by the sword, all of them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel were made captives for their iniquity, because they forsook me, and I hid my face from them: and I delivered them into the hands of their enemies, and they fell all by the sword.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel was taken captive because of their own iniquity, because they abandoned me. And so I concealed my face from them, and I delivered them into the hands of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

New American Bible
The nations shall know that the house of Israel went into exile because of its sins. Because they betrayed me, I hid my face from them, handing them over to their foes, so they all fell by the sword.

New Revised Standard Version
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt treacherously with me. So I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel was carried into captivity for their iniquity; because they transgressed against me, therefore I turned away my face from them and delivered them into the hand of those who hate them, and they all fell by the sword.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the nations shall know that because of their evil the children of Israel were taken captive, for they have done evil to me, and I turned my face from them and I handed them over into the hands of those hating them, and all of them fell by the sword
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they broke faith with Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the nations shall know that the house of Israel were led captive because of their sins, because they rebelled against me, and I turned away my face from them, and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel to Be Restored
22From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. 23And the nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid My face from them and delivered them into the hands of their enemies, so that they all fell by the sword. 24I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and transgressions, and I hid My face from them.…

Cross References
Leviticus 26:40-42
But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

Deuteronomy 31:17-18
On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.

2 Kings 17:18-20
So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

2 Chronicles 36:15-17
Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. / But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy. / So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Jeremiah 5:19
And when the people ask, ‘For what offense has the LORD our God done all these things to us?’ You are to tell them, ‘Just as you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your land, so will you serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.’”

Jeremiah 16:10-13
When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’ / Then you are to answer them: ‘It is because your fathers have forsaken Me, declares the LORD, and followed other gods, and served and worshiped them. They abandoned Me and did not keep My instruction. / And you have done more evil than your fathers. See how each of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me. ...

Jeremiah 29:18-19
I will pursue them with sword and famine and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse, a desolation, and an object of scorn and reproach among all the nations to which I banish them. / I will do this because they have not listened to My words, declares the LORD, which I sent to them again and again through My servants the prophets. And neither have you exiles listened, declares the LORD.”

Lamentations 1:5
Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.

Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

Hosea 9:17
My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Amos 3:2
“Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Romans 1:18-21
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. / For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. / For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. ...

Romans 11:7-10
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, / as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. ...

1 Corinthians 10:1-11
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. / They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. / They all ate the same spiritual food ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.

the heathen

Ezekiel 36:18-23,36
Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it: …

2 Chronicles 7:21,22
And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? …

Jeremiah 22:8,9
And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? …

hid I

Ezekiel 39:29
Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Deuteronomy 31:17,18
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? …

Deuteronomy 32:20
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

gave them

Leviticus 26:25
And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

Deuteronomy 32:30
How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Judges 2:14
And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

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Acted Adversaries Attackers Broke Captivity Children Clear Covered Dealt Enemies Evil-Doing Exile Face Faith Fell Hand Handed Hands Heathen Hid House Iniquity Israel Nations Prisoners Sin Sword Treacherously Trespassed Unfaithful Wrong
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Acted Adversaries Attackers Broke Captivity Children Clear Covered Dealt Enemies Evil-Doing Exile Face Faith Fell Hand Handed Hands Heathen Hid House Iniquity Israel Nations Prisoners Sin Sword Treacherously Trespassed Unfaithful Wrong
Ezekiel 39
1. God's judgment upon Gog
8. Israel's victory
11. Gog's burial in Hamon-gog
17. The feast of the fowls
21. Israel having been plagued for their sins
25. shall be gathered again with eternal favor














And the nations will know
This phrase emphasizes the universal recognition of God's sovereignty and justice. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," which often refers to Gentile nations. Historically, Israel's experiences served as a testimony to surrounding nations about the power and holiness of Yahweh. The acknowledgment by the nations signifies a broader understanding of God's dealings with His people, highlighting His desire for all to recognize His authority and righteousness.

that the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the collective people of Israel, God's chosen nation. In Hebrew, "house" (bayit) can imply a family or dynasty, indicating a covenant relationship. This phrase underscores the special status of Israel as God's covenant people, who were expected to live according to His laws and commandments. Their identity as the "house" signifies both privilege and responsibility.

went into exile
The term "exile" (Hebrew: "galut") denotes a forced removal from one's homeland, often as a result of divine judgment. Historically, the Babylonian exile was a pivotal event for Israel, symbolizing the consequences of their disobedience. Exile was not just a physical displacement but also a spiritual and communal crisis, reflecting the broken relationship between God and His people.

for their iniquity
"Iniquity" (Hebrew: "avon") refers to moral perversity or sin. It implies a deviation from what is right and just. The use of this term highlights the seriousness of Israel's sins, which led to their exile. It serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the moral standards He expects from His people. The acknowledgment of iniquity is crucial for understanding the need for repentance and restoration.

because they were unfaithful to Me
The phrase "unfaithful to Me" (Hebrew: "ma'al") conveys the idea of treachery or betrayal, often used in the context of breaking a covenant. Israel's unfaithfulness was not merely a breach of law but a personal affront to God, who had established a covenant relationship with them. This unfaithfulness is depicted throughout the prophetic literature as spiritual adultery, emphasizing the relational aspect of sin against God.

So I hid My face from them
"Hiding My face" is a metaphor for the withdrawal of God's presence and favor. In the Hebrew context, God's "face" represents His attention, blessing, and protection. When God hides His face, it signifies a severe form of judgment, leaving the people vulnerable to their enemies. This phrase underscores the gravity of Israel's sin and the resulting separation from God.

and handed them over to their enemies
This phrase indicates God's active role in allowing Israel's defeat and subjugation. The Hebrew concept of "handing over" (natan) implies a deliberate act of judgment. It reflects the covenantal consequences outlined in the Torah, where disobedience would lead to foreign domination. This handing over serves as both punishment and a call to repentance, urging Israel to return to God.

and they all fell by the sword
The imagery of falling "by the sword" signifies the ultimate consequence of Israel's rebellion—death and destruction. The sword is a common biblical symbol of divine judgment and warfare. Historically, this phrase reflects the reality of military defeat and the loss of life during the Babylonian conquest. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience and the seriousness of God's judgment.

(23) For their iniquity.--In the times foretold God's dealings shall no longer be misunderstood, nor the sufferings of Israel considered as the result of His want of power to protect them. All the world shall so far understand His righteousness, that they shall see the reasonableness and necessity of His punishing even His chosen people for their sins, and purifying them that they may become His indeed.

Verses 23, 24. - And the heathen shall know. The special lesson for them should be not so much teaching concerning God's supremacy over them, or concerning their relation to Israel, as concerning the principles of God's dealings with Israel. They should learn that if Israel had for a season been abandoned to the sword and driven into exile, it was not because of Jehovah's inability to protect them, but because of their wickedness which had caused him to hide his face from them - an expression which in Ezekiel occurs only here and in ver. 29, though it is found in the Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 31:17, 18) and in the older prophets (Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah 57:17; Isaiah 64:7; Jeremiah 33:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the nations
הַ֠גּוֹיִם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

will know
וְיָדְע֣וּ (wə·yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the house
בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

went into exile
גָּל֣וּ (gā·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

for their iniquity,
בַעֲוֺנָ֞ם (ḇa·‘ă·wō·nām)
Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

because
עַ֚ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

they were unfaithful
מָֽעֲלוּ־ (mā·‘ă·lū-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4603: To cover up, to act covertly, treacherously

to Me.
בִ֔י (ḇî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

So I hid
וָאַסְתִּ֥ר (wā·’as·tir)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5641: To hide, conceal

My face
פָּנַ֖י (pā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

from them
מֵהֶ֑ם (mê·hem)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

and gave them
וָֽאֶתְּנֵם֙ (wā·’et·tə·nêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

into the hand
בְּיַ֣ד (bə·yaḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of their enemies,
צָרֵיהֶ֔ם (ṣā·rê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

so that they all
כֻּלָּֽם׃ (kul·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

fell
וַיִּפְּל֥וּ (way·yip·pə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

by the sword.
בַחֶ֖רֶב (ḇa·ḥe·reḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 39:23 The nations shall know that the house (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 39:22
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