Ezekiel 6:14 I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'"

◄ Ezekiel 6:14 ►

New International Version
And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah —wherever they live. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

New Living Translation
I will crush them and make their cities desolate from the wilderness in the south to Riblah in the north. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

English Standard Version
And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land desolate and waste, in all their dwelling places, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ”

King James Bible
So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

New King James Version
So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’ ” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
So through all their dwelling places I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and waste than the wilderness toward Diblah; so they will know that I am the LORD.”’”

NASB 1995
“So throughout all their habitations I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and waste than the wilderness toward Diblah; thus they will know that I am the LORD."’”

NASB 1977
“So throughout all their habitations I shall stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and waste than the wilderness toward Diblah; thus they will know that I am the LORD.”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
So throughout all their habitations I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land more desolate and desecrated than the wilderness toward Diblah; thus they will know that I am Yahweh.”’”

Amplified Bible
And I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land a more desolate waste than the wilderness toward Diblah [the Moabite city], throughout all the places where they live; and they will know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD.”’”

Christian Standard Bible
I will stretch out my hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.”

American Standard Version
And I will stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their habitations: and they shall know that I am Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
I will make their country a barren wasteland, from the Southern Desert to the town of Diblah in the north. Then they will know that I, the LORD, have done these things.

English Revised Version
And I will stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will use my power against them and destroy the land, from the desert to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.'"

Good News Translation
Yes, I will reach out and destroy their country. I will make it a wasteland from the southern desert to the city of Riblah in the north, not sparing any place where the Israelites live. Then everyone will know that I am the LORD."

International Standard Version
I'll stretch out my hands to strike them and send devastation to the land, from the wilderness of Diblah, throughout all their dwelling places. Then they'll know that I am the LORD."

Majority Standard Bible
I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

NET Bible
I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the wilderness to Riblah, in all the places where they live. Then they will know that I am the LORD!"

New Heart English Bible
I will stretch out my hand on them, and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Riblah, throughout all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD."'"

Webster's Bible Translation
So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, even, more desolate than the wilderness towards Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

World English Bible
I will stretch out my hand on them and make the land desolate and waste, from the wilderness toward Diblah, throughout all their habitations. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And I have stretched out My hand against them, "" And have made the land a desolation, "" Even a desolation from the wilderness to Diblath, "" In all their dwellings, "" And they have known that I [am] YHWH!”

Young's Literal Translation
And I have stretched out my hand against them, And have made the land a desolation, Even a desolation from the wilderness to Diblath, In all their dwellings, And they have known that I am Jehovah!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I stretched forth my hand upon them, and I gave the land a desolation and an astonishment from the desert of Diblath, in all their dwellings: and they shall know that I am Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I will stretch forth my hand upon them: and I will make the land desolate, and abandoned from the desert of Deblatha in all their dwelling places: and they shall know that I am the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I will extend my hand over them. And I will make the earth desolate and destitute: from the desert of Riblah to all their dwelling places. And they shall know that I am the Lord.”

New American Bible
I will stretch out my hand against them; I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Riblah, wherever they live. Thus they shall know that I am the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
I will stretch out my hand against them, and make the land desolate and waste, throughout all their settlements, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
So I will stretch out my hand against them and will make the land desolate and waste, more than the wilderness of Diblath, throughout all their habitations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I shall lift my hands over them and I shall make the land a destruction and an astonishment, more than the wilderness of Deblath and all the place of their dwelling, and they shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I will stretch out My hand upon them, and make the land desolate and waste, more than the wilderness of Diblah, throughout all their habitations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I will stretch out my hand against them, and I will make the land desolate and ruined from the wilderness of Deblatha, in all their habitations: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context
A Remnant to be Blessed
…13Then you will know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, and under every green tree and leafy oak—the places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols. 14I will stretch out My hand against them, and wherever they live I will make the land a desolate waste, from the wilderness to Diblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References
Leviticus 26:31-33
I will reduce your cities to rubble and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will refuse to smell the pleasing aroma of your sacrifices. / And I will lay waste the land, so that your enemies who dwell in it will be appalled. / But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.

Deuteronomy 28:49-52
The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand, / a ruthless nation with no respect for the old and no pity for the young. / They will eat the offspring of your livestock and the produce of your land until you are destroyed. They will leave you no grain or new wine or oil, no calves of your herds or lambs of your flocks, until they have caused you to perish. ...

2 Kings 17:18-23
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. ...

Jeremiah 4:27
For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction.

Jeremiah 7:34
I will remove from the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem the sounds of joy and gladness and the voices of the bride and bridegroom, for the land will become a wasteland.”

Jeremiah 25:11
And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Jeremiah 44:2-6
“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: You have seen all the disaster that I brought against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah; and behold, they lie today in ruins and desolation / because of the evil they have done. They provoked Me to anger by continuing to burn incense and to serve other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. / Yet I sent you all My servants the prophets again and again, saying: ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate.’ ...

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.

Lamentations 2:15
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?”

Amos 3:11
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your citadels.”

Amos 5:27
Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is the God of Hosts.

Zephaniah 1:2-3
“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. / “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 23:38
Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 13:35
Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Luke 21:20-24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ...

Treasury of Scripture
So will I stretch out my hand on them, and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
will I
Ezekiel 16:27
Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.
Ezekiel 20:33,34
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: …
Isaiah 5:25
Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
more desolate than the wilderness.
Numbers 33:46
And they removed from Dibongad, and encamped in Almondiblathaim.
Almon-diblathaim
Jeremiah 48:22
And upon Dibon, and upon Nebo, and upon Bethdiblathaim,
Beth diblathaim.
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Ezekiel 6
1. The judgment of Israel for their idolatry
8. A remnant shall be blessed
11. The faithful are exhorted to lament their abominations and calamities

Berean Study Bible
I will stretch out My hand
This phrase signifies God's active intervention and judgment. In the Hebrew context, the "hand" often symbolizes power and authority. The stretching out of God's hand indicates a deliberate act of divine will. Historically, this imagery is reminiscent of God's actions in Egypt during the Exodus, where His hand was stretched out in both judgment and deliverance. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to execute justice.
against them
The pronoun "them" refers to the people of Israel who have turned away from God. This phrase underscores the personal nature of God's judgment. It is not a random act but a response to the specific actions and disobedience of His people. The historical context reveals a nation steeped in idolatry and rebellion, prompting this divine response.
and make the land a desolate waste
The transformation of the land into a "desolate waste" is a vivid depiction of the consequences of sin. The Hebrew word for "desolate" conveys a sense of utter barrenness and ruin. This imagery would resonate deeply with an agrarian society that relied on the land for sustenance. It serves as a stark warning of the physical and spiritual devastation that results from turning away from God.
from the wilderness to Diblah
This phrase defines the extent of the desolation. "Wilderness" often symbolizes a place of testing and judgment in the Bible. "Diblah" is less certain in its geographical identification, but it represents the farthest boundary of the land. The phrase suggests totality, indicating that no part of the land will be spared from God's judgment. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the divine decree.
Then they will know
This phrase is a recurring theme in Ezekiel, highlighting the purpose behind God's actions. The knowledge referred to here is not merely intellectual but experiential and relational. It is about recognizing God's sovereignty and holiness. The historical context shows that Israel's repeated failures to acknowledge God led to their downfall, and through judgment, they would come to a deeper understanding of His nature.
that I am the LORD
The declaration "I am the LORD" is a powerful affirmation of God's identity and authority. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This statement serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, which they have violated. It is both a statement of judgment and an invitation to return to the true knowledge and worship of God. The ultimate goal of God's actions is to restore His people to a right relationship with Him, acknowledging Him as the one true God.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(14) More desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath.--The name Diblath does not occur elsewhere; but Diblathaim, the dual form, is mentioned in Numbers 33:46-47, Jeremiah 48:22, as a double city on the eastern border of Moab, beyond which lay the great desert which stretches thence eastward, nearly to the Euphrates. It was customary to call any wilderness by the name of the nearest town. (See 1Samuel 23:14-15; 1Samuel 23:24-25; 1Samuel 25:2, &c.) That wilderness appears from this passage to have been proverbial for its desolation.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 14. - More desolate than the wilderness towards Diblath; better, with the Authorized Version, from the wilderness. The name does not appear elsewhere, and has not been identified. Assuming the Authorized Version rendering, we must think of Ezekiel as naming, as Dante haines the Valdichiana ('Inf.,' 29:47), some specially horrible and desolate region. For such a region the name of Diblah (a cake of figs) does not seem appropriate. Taking the Revised Version translation ("from the wilderness toward Diblah"), we have a phrase analogous to "from Dan to Beersheba," as denoting the extent of the desolation. The "wilderness" is usually applied to the nomad region south of Palestine, and this would lead us to look for Diblah in the north, and so to look elsewhere than to the two places Beth-diblathaim (Jeremiah 48:22) and Almon-diblathaim (Numbers 33:46), both of which are in Moab. The difficulty was solved by Jerome by the conjectural emendation of Riblah, the two Hebrew letters for d and r being often written by copyists for each other. Riblah (it is a suggestive fact that the two chief manuscripts of the LXX. the Alexandrian and the Vatican, have Deblatha, or Deblaa, in 2 Kings 23:33; 2 Kings 25:6) was a fortified town on the north road from Palestine to Babylon, where the Babylonian kings used to take up their position during their invasions of the former. Within a short time after Ezekiel wrote this chapter, it became memorable in its connection with Zedekiah's sufferings (comp. 2 Kings 23:33; 2 Kings 25:6, 20, 21; Jeremiah 39:5, 6; Jeremiah 52:9, 10, 26). Its probable site is fixed on the banks of the Orontes. The evidence, on the whole, is, I think, in favour of this interpretation. It is adopted by Ewald, Cornill, Smend, Gesenius, and most recent critics. An additional fact in its favour is that Hamath, in the same region, appears as an ideal northern boundary in Ezekiel 47:16.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew
I will stretch out
וְנָטִ֤יתִי (wə·nā·ṭî·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

My hand
יָדִי֙ (yā·ḏî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

against them,
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and wherever
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

they live
מוֹשְׁבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם (mō·wō·šə·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

I will make
וְנָתַתִּ֨י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the land
הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

a desolate
שְׁמָמָ֤ה (šə·mā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8077: Devastation, astonishment

waste,
וּמְשַׁמָּה֙ (ū·mə·šam·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4923: Devastation, waste, horror

from the wilderness
מִמִּדְבַּ֣ר (mim·miḏ·bar)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

to Diblah.
דִּבְלָ֔תָה (diḇ·lā·ṯāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1689: Diblah -- a place in Aram (Syria) or Northern Israel

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

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am the LORD.’”
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 6:14 I will stretch out my hand (Ezek. Eze Ezk)