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Ezekiel 20:6

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 20:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “in that day I sware unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

in that day I sware unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
Ezekiel 20:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye are come? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
4Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;
5and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In the day when I chose Israel, and sware unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I sware unto them, saying, I am Jehovah your God;
6in that day I sware unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
7And I said unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am Jehovah your God.
8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9But I wrought for my name`s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among which they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
← Ezekiel 20:5Ezekiel 20:7 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“In the day [that] I lifted up my hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt, &c.] Not only promised and swore to it, but exerted his power in the miracles he wrought, by bringing plagues upon the Egyptians, to oblige them to let them go forth from thence: into a land that I had espied for them; which he had in his eye and in his heart for them; which he had in his mind provided for them, and was determined in his purposes to bring them to; and which he, as it were, looked out for them, and singled out as the best and most suitable for them: flowing with milk and honey; a phrase often used, to express the fruitfulness of the land, of Canaan, and the great plenty of provisions in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“espied for them--as though God had spied out all other lands, and chose Canaan as the best of all lands (Deu 8:7-8). See Dan 8:9; Dan 11:16, Dan 11:41, "the glorious land"; see Margin, "land of delight," or, ornament"; "the pleasant land," or "land of desire," Zac 7:14, Margin. glory of all lands--that is, Canaan was "the beauty of all lands"; the most lovely and delightful land; "milk and honey" are not the antecedents to "which."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The children of Israel in Egypt were warned to abstain from the idolatry of the pagan. This purpose they lost sight of, yet God spared them and brought them into another state of probation. Ezekiel 20:5 Lifted up mine hand - i. e., sware, because the hand was lifted up in adjuration. Ezekiel 20:8 Idols of Egypt - These incidental notices show the children of Israel in Egypt to have been addicted to idolatry. Compare Joshua 24:14. Ezekiel 20:9 I wrought for my name’s sake - Lest it should appear to the Egyptians that Yahweh was a God who would, but could not, save. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I had espied - God speaks after the manner of men. Milk and honey - Literally milk and honey in abundance were in the land of Canaan. Proverbially it speaks the plenty and abundance of all the blessings of life. Ezekiel 20:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“lifted: Eze 20:5, Eze 20:15, Eze 20:23, Eze 20:42 to bring: Gen 15:13, Gen 15:14; Exo 3:8, Exo 3:17, 14:1-15:27 into: Deu 8:7-9, Deu 11:11, Deu 11:12, Deu 32:8 flowing: Exo 13:5, Exo 33:3; Lev 20:24; Num 13:27, Num 14:8; Deu 6:3, Deu 11:9, Deu 26:9, Deu 26:15, Deu 27:3; Deu 31:20, Deu 32:13, Deu 32:14; Jos 5:6; Jer 11:5, Jer 32:22 which is: Eze 20:15; Psa 48:2; Dan 8:9, Dan 11:16, Dan 11:41; Zac 7:14 Ezekiel 20:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification