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Ezekiel 20:17

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

But honestly? I couldn't bring myself to completely destroy them. Even though they deserved it, I held back and didn't wipe them out in the desert.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God's mercy kicked in even when his people totally blew it.

📚 Historical Context

In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet is speaking to the exiled Israelites in Babylon, reminding them of God's dealings with their ancestors to highlight His faithfulness despite their unfaithfulness. This verse specifically refers to the wilderness period after the Exodus from Egypt, where the Israelites repeatedly rebelled through idolatry and disobedience, yet God chose not to completely wipe them out. Instead, His mercy preserved them as a people, allowing them to continue toward the Promised Land.

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