And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a promise of people returning; it's about the entire house of Israel, including the ten northern tribes who were largely lost to history after exile. God is envisioning a complete restoration, not just for some, but for all of His people, seeing their broken land and cities made whole again.
And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is speaking to the desolate mountains of Israel, declaring that He will restore them after the nations have taunted them. This promise of renewal continues with the assurance that the land itself will be repopulated and rebuilt, bringing the whole house of Israel back to flourish where they once lay in ruins. This is part of God's larger plan to bring lasting peace and prosperity to His people, far beyond just their return from exile.
God's promise isn't just about a few people trickling back. It's about a complete national revival.
The prophecy here in Ezekiel 36:10 speaks of multiplying "all the house of Israel." This is a significant detail because the nation had been split and many had been exiled. God's intention was not just a partial return, but the restoration of the entire nation, including the northern ten tribes who were largely lost to history after their own deportation. This emphasizes the completeness of God's redemptive plan – He doesn't forget or abandon any part of His people.
Beyond just people returning, God promises the land itself will flourish again.
The verse doesn't just say people will return; it paints a picture of a vibrant, rebuilt land. 'The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt.' This speaks to a profound reversal of fortune. The desolation caused by sin and judgment would be replaced by life, order, and prosperity. It's not just about structures being rebuilt, but about lives being renewed and the land once again sustaining its people. This points to God's power to bring life out of death and order out of chaos.
Ask a follow-up
Ezekiel delivers this prophecy during the Babylonian exile, after the devastating destruction of Jerusalem. His words speak to a future restoration far beyond the initial return, promising a complete repopulation and rebuilding that encompasses all the house of Israel, hinting at a fulfillment that transcends the return of Judah and Benjamin alone.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Kingdom
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the Kingdom of Israel, exiling a significant portion of its population. This marks the effective end of the ten northern tribes.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, exiling King Jehoiachin and many skilled individuals, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This is a catastrophic event for Judah.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's Ministry Begins
Ezekiel begins his prophetic ministry among the exiles in Babylon, delivering messages of judgment and future restoration.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, creating an opportunity for the Jewish exiles to eventually return to their homeland.
538 BC
Decree of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This begins the return from exile.
This passage echoes Ezekiel's promise of restoration, speaking of a future day when the land will rejoice and be filled with joy, peace, and prosperity, just like the rebuilding of cities and habitation mentioned here.
Isaiah 58:12This verse speaks of those who rebuild the 'ancient ruins,' a concept directly paralleled in Ezekiel's prophecy of rebuilding waste places and bringing inhabitants back to the cities.
Zechariah 8:4-5Zechariah describes a future Jerusalem where old men and women will sit in the streets, and the city will be full of boys and girls playing, directly illustrating the 'cities shall be inhabited' aspect of Ezekiel's promise.
Romans 8:28While different in focus, this New Testament passage assures believers that God works all things for good for those called according to His purpose, reflecting the ultimate good and restorative purpose behind Ezekiel's grand promises of rebuilding and multiplying His people.
pulpitEzekiel 36:10: "And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:"
Verses 10, 11. - I will multiply men upon you. Jehovah's promise contemplated a return of both sections of the Golah, the whole house of Israel, Ephraim as well as Judah (comp. Ezekiel 20:40), to the land from which they had been deported, and a restoration of the united kingdom to a condition of prosperity in which its cities should aga…
jfbEzekiel 36:10: "And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:"
- wastes builded—Isa 58:12; 61:4; Am 9:11, 12, 14, where, as here (Eze 34:23, 24), the names of David, Messiah's type, and Edom, Israel's foe, are introduced in connection with the coming restoration.
This isn't just a promise of people returning; it's about the entire house of Israel, including the ten northern tribes who were largely lost to history after exile. God is envisioning a complete restoration, not just for some, but for all of His people, seeing their broken land and cities made whole again.
God is speaking to the desolate mountains of Israel, declaring that He will restore them after the nations have taunted them. This promise of renewal continues with the assurance that the land itself will be repopulated and rebuilt, bringing the whole house of Israel back to flourish where they once lay in ruins. This is part of God's larger plan to bring lasting peace and prosperity to His people, far beyond just their return from exile.
God is speaking to the desolate mountains of Israel, declaring that He will restore them after the nations have taunted them. This promise of renewal continues with the assurance that the land itself will be repopulated and rebuilt, bringing the whole house of Israel back to flourish where they once lay in ruins. This is part of God's larger plan to bring lasting peace and prosperity to His people, far beyond just their return from exile.
"And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt." — This isn't just a promise of people returning; it's about the entire house of Israel, including the ten northern tribes who were largely lost to history after exile. God is envisioning a complete r…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026