It's easy to focus on God's "jealous wrath," but notice He's speaking to the land itself—the mountains, hills, and valleys. This isn't just about punishing nations; it's about God’s deep, personal hurt that His creation, meant to reflect His glory, was used by others to mock Him.
Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After God declared judgment on the shepherds of Israel for their failures, He now turns His attention to the land itself, personified by its mountains and valleys. This passage is about to reveal God's fierce commitment to His people and His land, explaining that His "jealous wrath" is being unleashed because the nations have mocked and heaped shame upon the land of Israel and its people. What follows will be God's powerful promise to restore and vindicate His chosen people, turning their shame into glory.
When God's people suffer, it's not just individuals who are affected. The very land they inhabit feels the weight of their humiliation.
In Ezekiel 36, the prophet is instructed to speak not just to the people, but to the mountains, hills, ravines, and valleys of Israel. This might sound strange, but it highlights a profound theological truth: the land itself is tied to God's covenant with His people. When Israel was disgraced and exiled, the land was seen as sharing in that shame. The taunts of the nations weren't just directed at the people, but at their God and their homeland, implying God was weak or unable to protect His chosen territory.
This personification of the land underscores that God's concern is comprehensive – it extends to every aspect of His people's existence, including their territory, which was a physical sign of His promises.
The phrase 'jealous wrath' sounds intense, even harsh. But what is it about God's jealousy that leads to wrath?
Ezekiel speaks of God's 'jealous wrath' and 'fury.' This isn't the petty jealousy of humans, but a holy zeal for His own honor and the well-being of His covenant people. The nations had reproached Israel, and by extension, they had reproached God. This mockery was an attack on God's reputation and His faithfulness.
God's jealousy is a protective attribute. It stems from His deep love and commitment to His people. When they suffer reproach, it grieves Him deeply. His wrath is therefore a righteous response, not out of spite, but to vindicate His name and restore His people from the shame they endured. It's the fury of a father defending his children and his honor.
Ask a follow-up
The nations mocked Israel, but God promises they will bear their own shame. What's the difference?
The verse highlights that the nations 'reproached' Israel, causing them to bear shame. However, the wider context of Ezekiel 36 (and commentary insights) points to a distinction between the shame Israel endured and the shame the nations would face. Israel's shame was a consequence of their sin and exile, inflicted by the nations.
God's response is described as His 'jealous wrath,' leading to retribution, not merely retaliation. The nations will bear 'their own shame' – the shame due to them for their pride, their violence against God's people, and their arrogance in thinking they could defy God. This isn't just an eye-for-an-eye; it's God establishing His justice and demonstrating that He alone is sovereign. The commentary notes that this aligns with a divine law of retribution, ensuring God's absolute righteousness is upheld.
Understand the original words
naba' · Hebrew Verb
To declare a message under divine inspiration, often regarding future events or divine judgment/promise. It implies speaking God's word with authority as his mouthpiece.
Adonai YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A divine title (Adonai Yahweh) emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and authority as the Master and Ruler over all creation, especially in relation to his covenant people.
qin'ah · Hebrew Noun
An intense, righteous indignation or passionate protective zeal for God's holiness, name, and people. It is not an arbitrary or sinful human anger, but a divine response to the violation of His covenant.
cherpah · Hebrew Noun
Disgrace, shame, or scorn endured, often resulting from being held in contempt by others. In a biblical context, it frequently signifies the dishonor brought upon God's name when His people suffer or are mocked.
har · Hebrew Noun
In Hebrew culture, mountains were often places of divine manifestation, strategic defense, and permanence. Addressing the land's features signifies that God's restoration will extend to every part of the promised inheritance.
erets · Hebrew Noun
The promised place of rest and blessing where God's people live in covenant relationship with Him. It is synonymous with the physical territory given to the patriarchs as an everlasting possession.
This prophecy is delivered during the Babylonian exile, after the devastating fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. The surrounding nations mocked Israel's God and His people, attributing their downfall to the weakness of their God. Ezekiel's message, spoken to the very land itself, declares that God's 'jealous wrath' is ignited by this reproach, promising ultimate vindication and restoration.
722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
The powerful Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and bringing many foreign groups into the land. This event marked a significant loss of national sovereignty and divine favor in the eyes of many.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire conquer Judah and deport King Jehoiachin and thousands of the Judean elite to Babylon. This was a major blow to Judean pride and self-determination.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
Following a prolonged siege, Babylon destroys Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, the heart of Israel's worship and identity. This event represents the nadir of God's judgment on Judah and leads to a massive exile.
c. 580 BC
Ezekiel's Ministry Begins
Ezekiel, himself in exile in Babylon, receives his prophetic call. His ministry often focuses on the impending judgment, the reasons for it (idolatry, social injustice), and the ultimate restoration of God's people and land.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquers the Babylonian Empire. This pivotal moment eventually leads to the decree allowing exiled Judeans to return to their homeland.
This passage echoes the deep pain and shame experienced by God's people when they are scorned and mocked by other nations, mirroring the 'reproach of the nations' mentioned in Ezekiel.
Isaiah 54:4-10This prophecy speaks of God turning away His fierce anger and comforting His people, promising to restore them and cover their shame, which directly relates to God's 'jealous wrath' and the 'reproach' being addressed in Ezekiel.
Jeremiah 30:10-11Here, God promises to save His people and restore them, even though they have suffered greatly and been scattered. This parallels Ezekiel's message of restoration and divine intervention against those who oppressed them.
Ezekiel 36:12-15This immediate context in Ezekiel directly follows, showing that the nations who reproached Israel will themselves suffer shame and desolation, fulfilling the promise of divine retribution for the suffering inflicted on God's land and people.
Zephaniah 3:19-20This passage describes God's future restoration of His people, turning their shame into praise and bringing them home, which beautifully illustrates the ultimate outcome of God's 'jealous wrath' being expressed on behalf of His people.
barnesEzekiel 36:6: "Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:"
The shame of the pagan - The taunts which the pagan heaped upon them.
pulpitEzekiel 36:6: "Prophesy therefore concerning the land of Israel, and say unto the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I have spoken in my jealousy and in my fury, because ye have borne the shame of the heathen:"
Verses 6, 7. - Because ye have borne the shame of the heathen (i.e. the shame cast upon you by the heathen, see Ezekiel 34:29)... surely the heathen that are about you, they shall bear their shame. Not the shame which should…
It's easy to focus on God's "jealous wrath," but notice He's speaking to the land itself—the mountains, hills, and valleys. This isn't just about punishing nations; it's about God’s deep, personal hurt that His creation, meant to reflect His glory, was used by others to mock Him.
After God declared judgment on the shepherds of Israel for their failures, He now turns His attention to the land itself, personified by its mountains and valleys. This passage is about to reveal God's fierce commitment to His people and His land, explaining that His "jealous wrath" is being unleashed because the nations have mocked and heaped shame upon the land of Israel and its people. What follows will be God's powerful promise to restore and vindicate His chosen people, turning their shame into glory.
After God declared judgment on the shepherds of Israel for their failures, He now turns His attention to the land itself, personified by its mountains and valleys. This passage is about to reveal God's fierce commitment to His people and His land, explaining that His "jealous wrath" is being unleashed because the nations have mocked and heaped shame upon the land of Israel and its people. What follows will be God's powerful promise to restore and vindicate His chosen people, turning their shame into glory.
"Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations." — It's easy to focus on God's "jealous wrath," but notice He's speaking to the land itself—the mountains, hills, and valleys. This isn't just about punishing nations; it's about God’s deep, personal…
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Last reviewed October 2026
