What does Ezekiel 36:26 mean?

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 36:26

Ezekiel 36:26-27 - "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Ezekiel 36:26 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

This verse from the book of Ezekiel is a part of the larger prophecy about the restoration of Israel. The prophet Ezekiel delivers these words from God to the exiled Israelites in Babylon, assuring them that God will renew and restore their hearts and spirits. The context of this verse is one of hope and promise, as God assures His people of His mercy and faithfulness.

The verse begins with the promise of a "new heart" and a "new spirit." This speaks to the idea of inner transformation and spiritual renewal. In the biblical context, the heart is often used to represent the center of a person's being, including their thoughts, emotions, and will. The "new heart" symbolizes a change in desire, motive, and intention. The "new spirit" represents a change in attitude, disposition, and mindset. Together, these two promises indicate a comprehensive transformation of the inner person.

The imagery of removing the "stony heart" and replacing it with a "heart of flesh" is powerful and evocative. The stony heart is an image of hardness, insensitivity, and resistance to God. It represents a state of spiritual deadness and rebellion. In contrast, the "heart of flesh" symbolizes softness, sensitivity, and responsiveness to God. It represents a state of spiritual vitality and openness. This transformation is a work of divine grace, as God alone has the power to change the hardened heart of humanity.

The theme of renewal and restoration is central to this verse. It reflects God's desire to bring His people back into a right relationship with Him, to heal their brokenness, and to make them whole again. The promise of a new heart and a new spirit is a message of hope for all who feel spiritually broken, lost, or distant from God. It reminds us that God is in the business of transforming lives and renewing spirits.

This verse also points to the idea of divine initiative in the process of salvation. The promise of a new heart and a new spirit is not something that we can achieve on our own. It is a gift from God, bestowed by His grace. This speaks to the foundational Christian belief that salvation is not earned through human effort, but is received as a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. It is God who takes the initiative to change and renew us, and it is our role to respond in faith and obedience.

The broader context of this verse within the book of Ezekiel is significant as well. The prophet Ezekiel ministered to a people who were in a state of spiritual and moral crisis. The nation of Israel had fallen into idolatry, injustice, and rebellion against God, leading to their exile in Babylon. In the midst of this despair, Ezekiel's message brought hope and vision for the future. His prophecies spoke of God's intention to restore Israel, to bring them back to their land, and to renew them spiritually. This verse, in particular, stands as a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness, assuring the people that God has not abandoned them and that He has a plan for their restoration.

In conclusion, Ezekiel 36:26 is a profound and multi-layered verse that speaks to the theme of inner transformation, divine initiative in salvation, and the promise of renewal and restoration. It offers a message of hope and assurance to all who are in need of spiritual renewal and speaks to the universal human longing for a fresh start and a new beginning. Its imagery and symbolism resonate deeply with readers, pointing to the fundamental truths of God's grace, mercy, and redemptive power.

Ezekiel 36:26 Artwork

Ezekiel 36:26 - "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

Numbers 26:36 - "And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites."

Genesis 36:26 - "And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran."

Ezekiel 36:16 - "¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"

Ezekiel 36:36 - "Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it."

Ezekiel 36:34 - "And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by."

Ezekiel 12:26 - "¶ Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"

Ezekiel 36:9 - "For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown:"

Ezekiel 27:36 - "The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more."

Job 36:26 - "Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out."

Exodus 36:26 - "And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board."

Exodus 26:36 - "And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework."

Ezekiel 36:30 - "And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen."

Ezekiel 36:14 - "Therefore thou shalt devour men no more, neither bereave thy nations any more, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 36:28 - "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God."

Ezekiel 20:36 - "Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 36:21 - "¶ But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went."

Ezekiel 36:35 - "And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited."

Ezekiel 36:1 - "Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:"

Ezekiel 44:26 - "And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days."

Ezekiel 36:29 - "I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you."

Ezekiel 36:24 - "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land."

Ezekiel 36:19 - "And I scattered them among the heathen, and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them."

Ezekiel 36:18 - "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:"

Ezekiel 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:"

Ezekiel 48:26 - "And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion."

Ezekiel 40:36 - "The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

Ezekiel 36:13 - "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because they say unto you, Thou land devourest up men, and hast bereaved thy nations;"

Ezekiel 36:27 - "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."