Definition: Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 36:17. It’s a really important and complex passage that speaks to a significant shift in God’s plan for Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a period of intense sin and disrespect towards God and His people, particularly concerning the Israelites’ relationship with the land they were living on. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ezekiel 36:17” : This refers to a specific vision or message from Ezekiel, a prophet who lived around 185 AD. It’s a prophetic account about God’s plan for the future. "Son of man..." : This is a title given to Ezekiel, signifying his role as a messenger from God. "...when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land..." : This immediately tells us we're talking about the Israelites – the nation they were living under – and their time on their land. "...they defiled it..." : This is the key part. "Defile" means to pollute, ruin, or desecrate something. The Israelites were acting in a way that was harmful to the land and its people. They weren’t just being careless; they were actively disrespecting God's creation and His instructions. "...by their own way..." : This refers to their actions – perhaps their laws, traditions, or even their relationship with the land itself – which were leading them astray. "...and by their doings..." : This emphasizes that it wasn’t just what they were doing, but how they were doing it. It was a pattern of behavior that went against God's will. "Their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman." This is where it gets really profound. The image of "the uncleanness of a removed woman" is incredibly powerful. It compares their actions to a situation with a woman who has been abandoned or treated poorly – someone who isn’t properly cared for and feels unwanted. This symbolizes: A broken relationship: They were estranged from God, not through sincere repentance, but through their own flawed behavior. A lack of respect: The verse suggests they didn’t treat the land with reverence or humility – they were treating it as a prize to be taken and exploited. Overall Meaning & Significance This verse is essentially saying that for a significant period in Israel's history, the Israelites had been acting in a way that was fundamentally disrespectful and harmful to God and His creation. It marked a turning point towards a future where they would begin to understand and love their God and his land again. It’s a call to repentance and a promise of restoration. In short: Ezekiel 36:17 warns about a period of spiritual decay in Israel when they were acting like a spoiled, disrespectful woman – a result of their own flawed ways. It's a foreshadowing of the eventual return to God’s grace and restoration. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or event in biblical history? Discuss what this verse might symbolize on a deeper level (like sin, repentance, or redemption)?