Thus says the Lord GOD: This traditional prophetic formula again reinforces the importance of the words here (see Ezek 36.2).

This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: When the relationship between God and the Israelites has been restored, God will again listen to their prayers. New International Reader’s Version says “Once again I will answer the prayers of the people of Israel,” and Contemporary English Version has “I will once again answer your prayers.” For the house of Israel, that is, the Israelites, see verse 10.

A specific prayer is mentioned, namely, to increase their men like a flock. After so many of their people had died in the wars, the returning Israelites needed a large increase in population so that they would feel secure living in the land again. In addition, in his covenants with Abraham and Moses, God had promised to give them many children and to increase their population. Thus a large increase in the population would show that God was blessing them again, and would provide security for the nation against its enemies. The Hebrew word for men refers to people, not just males. The word for flock refers to a group of sheep here (see 24.5). Contemporary English Version provides a good model for this clause, saying “and I will let your nation grow until you are like a large flock of sheep.”

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 .