And they shall dwell securely in it means the Israelites will “be safe” (Contemporary English Version) from the threat of enemies attacking them. Good News Translation says “They will live there in safety.”
And they shall build houses and plant vineyards: They will be able to build homes and plant vineyards because of their safety. For vineyards see the comments on 19.10. If readers are not familiar with vineyards, the clause plant vineyards may be rendered “they will plant crops” or “they will grow crops in their fields [or, gardens].”
They shall dwell securely repeats the first clause. Contemporary English Version says “They will no longer be in danger.”
When I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt: They will be safe after God has punished the hostile countries surrounding them. For when I execute judgments, see verse 22; for all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt, see verse 24.
Then they will know that I am the LORD their God: For this recognition formula, see verse 22. The pronouns they and their refer to the people of Israel, which Contemporary English Version and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch make explicit. The LORD their God may be rendered “Yahweh, the God they worship.”
Quoted with permission from Gross, Carl & Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Ezekiel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
