Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezekiel 39:23

"And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they trespassed against me, and I hid my face from them: so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they fell all of them by the sword." — Ezekiel 39:23 (ASV)

For their iniquity.— In the times foretold, God’s dealings shall no longer be misunderstood, nor shall the sufferings of Israel be considered the result of His lack of power to protect them. All the world shall understand His righteousness to such an extent that they shall see the reasonableness and necessity of His punishing even His chosen people for their sins, and purifying them that they may become truly His.