After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
After that they have borne their shame - after that they shall have borne in full the punishment of their sin: after they have become sensible of their guilt, and ashamed of it (Ezekiel 20:43; Ezekiel 36:31).
When they dwelt safely in their land. This clause in the English version is connected with the immediately preceding words, thus: After that they have borne in full the punishment of all their trespasses, whereby they have ungratefully trespassed against me, when they formerly dwelt safely in the land, and none made them afraid. Their peaceful establishment in Canaan, through my gift, will be hereafter remembered by them as heightening the guilt of their trespasses; so that they shall be ashamed of themselves, and I will then bring again (i:e., reverse) their captivity (Ezekiel 39:25). But I prefer to translate the whole verse. 'Then (when I have brought again their captivity, Ezekiel 39:25) they shall bear their shame (i:e., they shall know the enormity of their sin, and shall be ashamed), and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they shall dwell in their land, and none shall make them afraid.' Fairbairn reads [naashuw for naasuw (H5375)], 'And they shall forget their shame.' I prefer the common pointing. The mercy of God, when thoroughly realized, is the only thing which can melt the sinner into shame, and repentance of past trespasses. So in the parallel passage (Zechariah 12:7-10) it is God's saving mercy, experienced by Jerusalem, that by the Spirit's work moves its people to bitter repentance.