God’s purpose is to display His sovereign power so that all may truly know Him.
In the concluding words of this prophecy, God proclaims, “I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD” (v.23). Spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, who ministered from around 593 to 571 BC while exiled in Babylon, these words emphasize the Lord’s absolute authority over history and all nations. Although no specific geographic location is named in this concluding verse alone, the wider context of Ezekiel 38 involves the land of “Magog,” a place believed by some scholars to lie to the far north of ancient Israel—a region possibly encompassing parts of Asia Minor or lands beyond. This demonstrates the widespread extent of God’s revelation, underscoring that His saving purpose ultimately surpasses regional and political boundaries.
When the Lord asserts, “I will magnify Myself” (v.23), He is announcing that it is His nature to proclaim His greatness over all creation. At the same time, the phrase “sanctify Myself” (v.23) points to God’s holiness, showing that He stands set apart from all that is corrupted or finite. By declaring He will “make Myself known” (v.23), the divine intent to reveal Himself plainly to humanity becomes clear. This mirrors the New Testament understanding that God’s heart is to draw people to Himself, fully shown in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). Just as God’s victory over hostile nations demonstrates His lordship, Christ’s victory over sin and death unveils that same lordship in a spiritual sense (Colossians 2:15).
Lastly, “they will know that I am the LORD” (v.23) underscores that God's ultimate goal is the acknowledgment of His name throughout all nations. His plans and judgments bring glory to Himself, while offering humanity a vivid portrait of His character. In later scriptures, this display of glory finds its fullness in Christ, who declares His oneness with the Father so that the whole world might believe (John 17:21). Thus, Ezekiel 38:23 not only addresses ancient Israel’s circumstances but also foreshadows God’s eternal plan to be recognized and worshiped by every nation.
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Ezekiel 38:23 meaning
In the concluding words of this prophecy, God proclaims, “I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD” (v.23). Spoken through the prophet Ezekiel, who ministered from around 593 to 571 BC while exiled in Babylon, these words emphasize the Lord’s absolute authority over history and all nations. Although no specific geographic location is named in this concluding verse alone, the wider context of Ezekiel 38 involves the land of “Magog,” a place believed by some scholars to lie to the far north of ancient Israel—a region possibly encompassing parts of Asia Minor or lands beyond. This demonstrates the widespread extent of God’s revelation, underscoring that His saving purpose ultimately surpasses regional and political boundaries.
When the Lord asserts, “I will magnify Myself” (v.23), He is announcing that it is His nature to proclaim His greatness over all creation. At the same time, the phrase “sanctify Myself” (v.23) points to God’s holiness, showing that He stands set apart from all that is corrupted or finite. By declaring He will “make Myself known” (v.23), the divine intent to reveal Himself plainly to humanity becomes clear. This mirrors the New Testament understanding that God’s heart is to draw people to Himself, fully shown in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). Just as God’s victory over hostile nations demonstrates His lordship, Christ’s victory over sin and death unveils that same lordship in a spiritual sense (Colossians 2:15).
Lastly, “they will know that I am the LORD” (v.23) underscores that God's ultimate goal is the acknowledgment of His name throughout all nations. His plans and judgments bring glory to Himself, while offering humanity a vivid portrait of His character. In later scriptures, this display of glory finds its fullness in Christ, who declares His oneness with the Father so that the whole world might believe (John 17:21). Thus, Ezekiel 38:23 not only addresses ancient Israel’s circumstances but also foreshadows God’s eternal plan to be recognized and worshiped by every nation.