|  Home  |  Old Testament Studies  |  Ezekiel Table of Contents  |  Previous Section  |  Next Section  |

EZEKIEL 20

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph, etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:1-8a
 ¹Now in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord, and sat before me. ²And the word of the Lord came to me saying, ³"Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Do you come to inquire of Me? As I live," declares the Lord God, "I will not be inquired of by you."'
 ⁴"Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make them know the abominations of their fathers; ⁵and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "On the day when I chose Israel and swore to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I swore to them, saying, I am the Lord your God, ⁶on that day I swore to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had selected for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands. ⁷I said to them, 'Cast away, each of you, the detestable things of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.' ⁸But they rebelled against Me and were not willing to listen to Me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt."

20:1 "in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth of the month" Ezekiel makes an attempt to date his prophecies (i.e., 591 B.C., cf. 2 Kgs. 25:8; compare with Jer. 52:12; also note the dates in Ezek. 1:1; 8:1; 20:1; 26:1; 29:1,17; 30:20; 31:1; 32:1,17; 33:21). The purpose for this may be

1. a literary way of asserting that YHWH spoke to him
2. a way of showing he was a true prophet (i.e., YHWH spoke to him before the event)
3. just his meticulous personality or possibly priestly training

The elder's question is not stated, but the date causes one to imagine it was related to Egypt's power and Zedekiah's proposed alliance with Pharaoh Psammetik II (595-589 B.C.).

Special Topic: ANE Calendars

▣ "the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord" They had done this before (cf. Ezek. 8:1,11,12; 14:1). We do not know what they came to ask because Ezekiel receives another vision while they sat there. This revelation relates to their questions.

Special Topic: Elder

20:3 The motives and sins of this (these) group(s) of elders are consistently negative (cf. Ezek. 8:1; 14:1). They came as if they were seeking YHWH's advice and guidance (cf. Ezek. 14:3; 20:31), but in reality, they were idolaters (cf. Ezek. 14:7). The wickedness of Jerusalem (chapters 8-10) has already affected the exiles (leaders reflect the populace). This uniform evil demonstrates that YHWH's choosing the exiles to reconstitute Israel, while judging and destroying those in Palestine, was an act of mercy, not merit (cf. Ezek. 36:22-38). He chose them because of His eternal redemptive purposes for all mankind!

One day YHWH will listen again (cf. Ezek. 36:37-38)!

Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan

▣ "Son of Man" See note at Ezek. 2:1.

▣ "speak" This (BDB 180, KB 210) is a Piel IMPERATIVE (cf. Ezek. 3:1; 12:23; 14:4; 20:27; 29:3; 33:2; 37:19,21). Ezekiel passes on YHW's message, not his own.

▣ "the Lord God" This is literally Adon YHWH. Notice the number of titles used for Deity in this chapter. This is a chapter about God and His intentions for Israel, but they would not!

1. Lord (YHWH), Ezek. 20:2
2. Adon YHWH, Ezek. 20:3(twice),5,27,30,31,33,36,39,40,44,47,49
3. YHWH your Elohim, Ezek. 20:5,7,19,20
4. I am the Lord (YHWH), Ezek. 20:26,38,42,44
5. I, the Lord (YHWH), Ezek. 20:48

Also notice the personal PRONOUNS and phrases.

1. Myself, Ezek. 20:5,9
2. against Me, Ezek. 20:8,13,21,27,38
3. My wrath, Ezek. 20:8,13,21
4. My anger, Ezek. 20:8,21
5. My name, Ezek. 20:9,14
6. My statutes, Ezek. 20:11,13,16,19,21,24
7. My ordinances, Ezek. 20:11,13,16,19,21,24
8. My sabbaths, Ezek. 20:11,13,16,20,21,24
9. My eye, Ezek. 20:17
10. My hand, Ezek. 20:22
11. blasphemed Me, Ezek. 20:27
12. listen to Me, Ezek. 20:39
13. My holy name, Ezek. 20:39
14. My holy mountain, Ezek. 20:40
15. serve Me, Ezek. 20:40
16. prove Myself holy, Ezek. 20:41
17. My name's sake, Ezek. 20:44

Special Topic: Names for Deity, D.

20:4 YHWH seems to be asking Ezekiel if he is ready to act as His mouthpiece in confronting (cf. Ezek. 16:2; 22:2) these idolatrous elders. The repeated VERB "judge" (BDB 1047; KB 1622) could be Qal IMPERFECT or Qal IMPERFECT used as a JUSSIVE (cf. Ezek. 20:7,18 [thrice]).

▣ "Make them know" This VERB (BDB 393, KB 390) is a Hiphil IMPERATIVE (Hiphil PERFECT in Ezek. 22:2). It implies both

1. truth
2. a relationship with YHWH (e.g., Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5)

▣ "abomination" See Special Topic: Abomination (OT).

▣ "of their fathers" This is surprising in light of Ezekiel 18. Are these elders being confronted because of their parents' or ancestors' sins? Our parents and society often set destructive patterns or licenses which reap judgment (cf. Exod. 20:5; Deut. 5:9,10). There is both an individual and corporate ethical, moral, religious responsibility. It is not an either/or situation. These elders are affected, but also responsible, as were the Davidic kings of Ezekiel 19.

20:5-7 These verses describe YHWH's actions/admonitions towards the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ("the seed of the house of Jacob," Ezek. 20:5).

1. "I chose Israel," BDB 103, KB 119, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, this election terminology, so common in Deuteronomy and Isaiah, occurs only here in Ezekiel. See Special Topic: Abomination (OT)
2. "I swore" (lit. "lifted hand"), Ezek. 20:5(twice), BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT with waw (i.e., that I would be their God)
3. "I made Myself known to them," Ezek. 20:5, BDB 393, KB 390, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw
4. "I swore," Ezek. 20:6, BDB 669, KB 724, Qal PERFECT (that I would bring them out of bondage, out of Egypt)
5. "that I had selected for them," Ezek. 20:6, BDB 1064, KB 1707, Qal PERFECT (I would give them the land of Canaan, cf. Gen. 15:12-21)
6. "cast away. . .the detestable things," Ezek. 20:7, BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERATIVE
7. "do not defile yourselves," Ezek. 20:7, BDB 379, KB 375, Hithpael IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Ezek. 18:15; 20:7,18,31; 22:3-4; 23:7,30; 36:18,25; 37:23

20:5 "swore" This is literally "lift the hand" and is used twice in this verse. This forms the central theme of this chapter (cf. Ezek. 20:6,15,23,28,42): God's gracious provisions and covenant promises in contrast to Israel's repeated covenant failures (cf. Psalm 106; Nehemiah 9).

The gesture of raising/lifting (BDB 669, KB 724) the hand can have several meanings.

1. oath taking, Exod. 6:8; Num. 14:30; Ps. 106:26; Ezek. 20:5-6
2. rebellion, 2 Sam. 20:21
3. positive action, Ps. 10:12 (YHWH); 119:48 (human)
4. blessing, Lev. 9:22; Ps. 28:2; 63:4; 134:2; 1 Tim. 2:8
5. prayers, Lam. 2:19

20:6 "to bring them out" This VERB (BDB 422, KB 425, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Ezek. 20:6,9,10, 14,22,34,38,41) is often used (in the Hiphil) of YHWH's act of

1. prophetic fulfillment (cf. Gen. 15:12-21)
2. mercy in delivering Israel from Egypt.

It is also used of YHWH delivering Israel from the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles (cf. Ezek. 20:34,38,41; 34:13).

The VERB (BDB 1064, KB 1707, Qal PERFECT) means "to seek out," "to spy out," or "to explore," in light of the fact that

1. it is used so often for the twelve spies (cf. Num. 13:2,16,17,25,32; 14:6,7, 34,36,38)
2. it is found only here in the Prophets.

The translation "spy out" seems best in light of Deut. 1:33. YHWH took special, personal care of young Israel (cf. Ezekiel 16)!

▣ "flowing with milk and honey" This phrase is first used in Exod. 3:8,17; 13:5; 33:3; Lev. 20:24; Num. 13:27; 14:8; 16:13-14. It became a technical name used in Aramaic sources (i.e., Persian) for the land of Palestine/ Canaan (cf. Jer. 3:19). It was a very fertile place (cf. Ezek. 20:15).

The MT has "the gazelle" (BDB 840 II, cf. v. 15), which was an idiom for beauty. The LXX seems to relate the root to another root for "honey."

20:7,8 "cast away" This VERB (BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERATIVE) is often used of people rejecting God's revelation, word (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 127).

1. 1 Kgs. 14:9, Jeroboam I cast YHWH behind his back (i.e., out of sight, out of mind)
2. Neh. 9:26, Israelites, during the period of the Judges, cast God's law behind their backs
3. Ps. 2:3, the kings of the earth reject the Lord's anointed
4. Ps. 50:17, the wicked reject YHWH's word
5. Ezek. 23:35, Judah forgot YHWH and cast Him behind their backs

What these rebels should have cast away was their rebellion (cf. Ezek. 18:31; 20:7-8). One day they will fling their idols out in the street (cf. Ezek. 7:19).

20:7 "defiled yourselves with the idols of Egypt" This could refer to the golden calf of Exodus 32 or the idols mentioned in Jos. 24:14.

20:8a This describes Israel's rebellion against their covenant God (i.e., during and after the Exodus).

1. they rebelled against Me, Ezek. 20:8 BDB 598, KB 632, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw
2. they were not willing to listen to Me, Ezek. 20:8, "listen," BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Ezek. 3:7; 12:2
3. they did not cast away the detestable things, Ezek. 20:8, BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil PERFECT, cf. Ezek. 5:11; 11:21
4. they did not forsake the idols of Egypt, Ezek. 20:8, BDB 736, KB 806, Qal PERFECT, cf. Exodus 32; Ps. 106:19-23

The foolishness of idol worship is highlighted in Ps. 115:4-8; 138:15-18; Isa. 44:9-17; Jer. 2:27-28; 10:3-5; Hab. 2:18-19!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:8b-17
 ^8b"Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. ⁹But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made Myself known to them by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. ¹⁰So I took them out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. ¹¹I gave them My statutes and informed them of My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live. ¹²Also I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. ¹³But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not walk in My statutes and they rejected My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live; and My sabbaths they greatly profaned. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath on them in the wilderness, to annihilate them. ¹⁴But I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, before whose sight I had brought them out. ¹⁵Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands, ¹⁶because they rejected My ordinances, and as for My statutes, they did not walk in them; they even profaned My sabbaths, for their heart continually went after their idols. ¹⁷Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not cause their annihilation in the wilderness."

20:8b This describes YHWH's reaction to Israel's rebellions (i.e., bondage in Egypt).

1. I resolved to pour out My wrath, Ezek. 20:8
2. I resolved to accomplish My anger, Ezek. 20:8
3. I acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned ("profane" lit. "pollute," BDB 320, KB 319, cf. Ezek. 20:13,14,16,21,22,24,39; 36:22-38)

Special Topic: "The Name" of YHWH (OT)

20:9-12 God's actions towards Israel during the Exodus and beyond (Ezek. 20:9c).

1. I took them out of Egypt.
2. I brought them into the wilderness.
3. I gave them My statutes, I informed them of My ordinances.
4. I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them (a regular worship time and place, Exod. 31:13).
5. That they might know. This Hebrew word (BDB 393, KB 390, cf. Ezek. 20:20) implies both
   1. a personal relationship
   2. knowledge about something

Special Topic: Know

20:9 Notice that YHWH has a concern for "the nations." Israel was meant to reveal YHWH to the nations (cf. Ezek. 20:14,39; 36:22-38; 39:7). I think there is a direct link to Gen. 3:15; 12:4; Acts 3:24-26; Gal. 3:8-9!

▣ "I acted for the sake of My name" This idea that historical actions related to Israel defined the character of YHWH seems to have begun with Moses' intercessory prayer in Exod. 32:11-14. It becomes a recurrent theme (cf. 2 Kgs. 19:34; 20:6; Ps. 23:3; 25:11; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 119:21; 143:9; Isa. 37:35; 43:25; 48:9,11; Jer. 14:7,21; Ezek. 20:9,14,22,44; 36:21,22-38).

YHWH's choice, love, and care for Israel was redemptively purposeful! There was/is an eternal redemptive plan: YHWH created humanity in His image and likeness for fellowship (cf. Genesis 1-2). See Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed., pp. 377-381.

Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan

20:11 "statutes. . .ordinances" See Special Topic: Terms for God's Revelation.

▣ "by which, if a man observe them, he will live" This alludes to the promises of Lev. 18:5; Deut. 30:15-20 and Ezekiel 18 (cf. Ezek. 20:13,21).

Life on earth is both physical and spiritual, similar to John 5:40; 10:10. Life is far more than mere physical existence. There is a quality of life that only God can give, which involves more than things or time. Augustine put it well when he said, "there is a God-shaped hole in every person." This is the image, likeness of the Creator, which only He can fill!

Special Topic: Keep

20:12-13 A brief content outline (compare with Nehemiah 9 and Acts 7):

1. Ezek. 20:7-8 shows the rebellion of the people of God during the Exodus
2. Ezek. 20:12-13 shows the rebellion of the people of God during the wilderness wandering period
3. Ezek. 20:20-21 shows the rebellion of the second generation during the wilderness period
4. Ezek. 20:24-25 shows the continual rebellion of the people of God even in the Promised Land
5. in the midst of all this rebellion, God's grace and provision remain steadfast

20:12 "sabbaths" This term (BDB 992) is surprisingly mentioned several times in this chapter in correlation with words for God's revelation (statutes, ordinances, cf. Ezek. 20:11-12,13,16,19-20,21,24). The exact reason is uncertain. For a good brief discussion on the origin of the Sabbath see Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel, vol. 2, pp. 475-483.

Special Topic: Sabbath (OT)

▣ "who sanctifies them" This PARTICIPLE (BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel PARTICIPLE) is from the root term "holy" (i.e., set apart for service to YHWH). Israel was made holy by God (cf. Exod. 31:13) in order to reveal holiness to the nations. Their holiness would be YHWH's way to manifest Himself to the nations (cf. Ezek. 20:9,14,22,39; 36:22-38).

Holiness is a covenant position (i.e., related to YHWH), but also a call to holy living!

Special Topic: Holy

Special Topic: Holiness/Sanctification

20:13 Israel sins during the wilderness wandering period (i.e., from Egypt to Canaan).

1. They did not walk in My statutes, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ezek. 20:16 (twice), 18, 19, 21,39
2. They rejected My ordinances, BDB 549, KB 540 Qal PERFECT, cf. Ezek. 20:16,24
3. They profaned My sabbaths, BDB 320, KB 319, Piel PERFECT

20:14 Again YHWH's concern for His name before the nations is emphaasized (cf. Ezek. 20:9,22,39; Isa. 48:9). YHWH has a personal interest in Israel (i.e., the coming Messiah).

Special Topic: Messiah

20:15 Here the reason for the forty years in the wilderness is explained. It was Israel's continuing sin (i.e., idolatry [cf. Ezek. 20:16b, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE] and other covenant disobedience).

20:17 Even amidst their sin YHWH limited His wrath so as not to destroy Israel (cf. Isa. 48:9). In my opinion, so that Messiah would/could come from Abraham's line and fulfill Gen. 3:15! There has always been an eternal redemptive plan for all humanity (i.e., Isa. 66:23). Israel was a tool, a servant in that divine plan (cf. Acts 2:23; 3:18; 4:28; 13:29)!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:18-26
 ¹⁸"I said to their children in the wilderness, 'Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols. ¹⁹I am the Lord your God; walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and observe them. ²⁰Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.' ²¹But the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to observe My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live; they profaned My sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness. ²²But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. ²³Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands, ²⁴because they had not observed My ordinances, but had rejected My statutes and had profaned My sabbaths, and their eyes were on the idols of their fathers. ²⁵I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live; ²⁶and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the Lord."'

20:18-26 Again we return to the issue of multi-generational sin. Ezekiel, chapters 18-20, are related by this theme. If one generation rebels, YHWH tries to encourage and inform the next one. Tragically Israel continued its rebellion through time. It ultimately resulted in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles (the bondage of Egypt in another land). Moses predicted this (cf. Deut. 4:25-31; 28:64-68), as did Joshua (cf. Jos. 24:19-20).

20:18-20 A series of commands expresses YHWH's intent for the second generation of the Exodus.

1. Negative (Israel's reality), Ezek. 20:18
   1. do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, Ezek. 20:18, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
   2. do not keep their ordinances, Ezek. 20:18, BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
   3. do not defile yourselves with their idols, BDB 379, KB 375, Hithpael IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
2. Positive (YHWH's hope), Ezek. 20:19-20
   1. walk in My statutes, Ezek. 20:19, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERATIVE
   2. keep My ordinances, Ezek. 20:19, BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal IMPERATIVE
   3. observe them (lit. "do"), Ezek. 20:19, BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE
   4. sanctify My sabbath, Ezek. 20:20, BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel IMPERATIVE

20:21-26 Israel did not obey, but rebelled against YHWH).

1. They did not walk in His statutes, Ezek. 20:21
2. They were not careful to observe His ordinances, Ezek. 20:21
3. They profaned His sabbaths (cf. Ezek. 20:20), Ezek. 20:21

So YHWH

1. resolved to pour out His wrath, Ezek. 20:21
2. accomplished His anger against them in the wilderness, Ezek. 20:21
3. withdrew His hand, Ezek. 20:22, cf. Ps. 74:11; Lam. 2:3
4. acted for the sake of His name, Ezek. 20:22 (cf. Ezek. 36:22-38)
5. scattered them among the nations, Ezek. 20:23 (cf. Ps. 106:19-27 describes the wilderness period, Ezek. 20:26-27 make the threat)
6. dispersed them among the lands, Ezek. 20:23 (parallel to #5)
7. gave them statutes that were not good, Ezek. 20:25
8. gave them ordinances by which they could not live, Ezek. 20:25 (apparently from false prophets or faithless leaders)
9. pronounced them unclean (i.e., worship of Molech, child sacrifice, see Special Topic: Molech), Ezek. 20:26
10. made them desolate, Ezek. 20:26

20:22 "My hand" See Special Topic: Hand

20:25 "I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live" This verse has been a great concern to many commentators because it seems to impugn God's character.

1. Rashi says that YHWH let their inner evil loose (cf. Ps. 81:12; Isa. 66:4; Rom. 1:24, 26, 28).
2. Kimchi, another Jewish expositor, says that they were given over to the enemy (i.e., Canaanite tribes) and they tried to live by their standards (i.e., worship of Molech, cf. Ezek. 20:26).
3. This may be sarcasm, like Ezek. 20:29 and 39; they were using His guidelines (cf. Ezek. 20:11-13,16,19-21,24) in Canaanite ways (one example, Genesis 22 became a model for child sacrifice, cf. Ezek. 20:26). These people had the appearance of being faithful worshipers (like the elders of Ezek. 20:1-4), but in reality were idolaters.
4. Compare 14:29; Isa. 29:13-14; 63:17

20:26 "they caused all their first-born to pass through the fire" This refers to the worship of the Phoenician fire god, Molech (cf. Ezek. 16:20; Lev. 18:21; 20:2-5; 2 Kings 17:17; 21:6; 23:10; 11 Chr. 28:3; Jer. 32:35). This may have been a misunderstanding about the death of the first-born recorded in Exodus 12, 13 or even the offering of Isaac in Genesis 22.

Special Topic: Molech

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:27-32
 ²⁷"Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed Me by acting treacherously against Me. ²⁸When I had brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and they offered there their sacrifices and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There also they made their soothing aroma and there they poured out their drink offerings. ²⁹Then I said to them, 'What is the high place to which you go?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."' ³⁰Therefore, say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers and play the harlot after their detestable things? ³¹When you offer your gifts, when you cause your sons to pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live," declares the Lord God, "I will not be inquired of by you. ³²What comes into your mind will not come about, when you say: 'We will be like the nations, like the tribes of the lands, serving wood and stone.'"

20:27 Israel was meant to be a light to the nations (cf. Ezek. 20:9,14,22,41), but idolatry turned their witness into confusion, darkness, and blasphemy (e.g., "to throw accusations," BDB 154, KB 180, Piel PERFECT). Their covenant disobedience was seen as "unfaithfulness" or even "treachery" (BDB 591, KB 612, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, cf. Ezek. 14:13; 17:20; 18:24; 20:27; 39:26) against YHWH.

20:28 "which I swore to give them" This refers to the repeated promise by YHWH to give Abraham and his seed the Promised Land (i.e., Canaan).

1. Abraham, Gen. 12:1,7; 13:15; 15:18
2. Isaac, Gen. 50:24; Exod. 13:11; 33:1; Num. 11:12; 14:23; 32:11; Deut. 1:8; 9:5; 29:13
3. Jacob, Gen. 26:3
4. Israel, Num. 14:16; Deut. 4:21; 6:23; 8:1; 11:9; 19:8; 26:3,15; 28:11; 31:7,23; 34:4; Jos. 1:6; 21:43-44

Special Topic: Covenant Promises to the Patriarchs

▣ "then they saw every high hill and every leafy tree" This refers to the worship of the gods of the Canaanite fertility cult of Ba'al and Ashterah/Astarte. They turned every hill and valley into a place of sexual idolatry (cf. Ezek. 6:13; 16:23-29; Isa. 57:5-8; Jer. 2:20; 3:6,13; 17:2; Hosea 4:13).

Special Topic: Fertility Worship of the Ancient Near East

The term (BDB 495) means "vexation" or "anger." It often refers to YHWH's anger at idolatry (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:30; 21:22; 2 Kgs. 23:26).

The phrase "they poured out their libations" is mentioned as part of pagan rituals which provoked YHWH several times in Jeremiah (cf. Ezek. 7:18; 19:13; 32:29; 44:17-19). YHWH is a jealous God (cf. Lev. 26:30-31). He will not accept rivals!

▣ "soothing aroma" This (BDB 629) is a metaphor for an acceptable sacrifice (incense or meat, cf. Gen. 8:21; Exod. 29:18,25,41; Lev. 1:9,13,17; Ezek. 6:13; 16:19; 20:28). It must be stated that this phrase does not imply that sacrifices were seen as a "feeding" of YHWH, which is part of the Mesopotamian texts (i.e., Gilgamesh Epic). It is an idiom!

Special Topic: A Soothing Aroma

▣ "poured out their libations" This refers to liquid offerings (usually wine), which often accompanied other sacrifices.

Special Topic: Alcohol (fermentation) and Alcoholism (addiction)

20:29 "Bamah" This is the Hebrew word for "high place" (BDB 119). Originally they were local shrines (cf. 1 Sam. 7:17; 9:12-25; 10:5,13; 1 Kgs. 3:2-4) which were not condemned.

However, the same places became the sites of fertility worship (cf. Num. 22:41; 1 Kgs. 11:7; 12:31-32; 14:23; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Chr. 21:11; Jer. 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; Hosea 4:13; 10:8; Amos 7:9; Micah 1:5). Josiah ordered them to be destroyed (cf. 1 Kgs. 13:2,32,33; 2 Kgs. 23:5-20; 2 Chr. 34:3-4). The centralization of worship in Jerusalem (cf. Lev. 17:3-5; Deut. 12:13-14) was meant to control this potential abuse.

20:30-32 The question is to whom does "your fathers" refer?

1. immediate past generation
2. wilderness wandering generation
3. early settlers in the Promised Land
4. or, collective of all past generations

The specific idols referred to are the fertility gods of Canaan (i.e., Ba'al, Asherah, Molech). Verse 32 describes the enormity of the problem in the statement "we will be like the nations, like the tribes of the land, serving wood and stone." Remember that the Israelites were given the land of Canaan because of the continuing idolatry of the tribes of the land (cf. Gen. 15:12-21). If Israel repeats their abominations, she will also be removed from the land (uniquely dedicated/owned by YHWH). Israel loses that which makes her distinct! Israel cannot be a light to the nations because she has become one of the nations! She was lost as a vehicle of revelation!

20:32 This statement of desire by the idolatrous Judeans will never come to pass (the Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and the Qal IMPERFECT of the VERB "to be," BDB 224, KB 243). God's covenant people cannot be allowed to be like the other people. God desires that He (the only true God) be revealed to the nations through His people! They are His people for this very purpose.

Special Topic: YHWH's Eternal Redemptive Plan)

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:33-38
 ³³"As I live," declares the Lord God, "surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I shall be king over you. ³⁴I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out; ³⁵and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. ³⁶As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you," declares the Lord God. ³⁷I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; ³⁸and I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Thus you will know that I am the Lord."

20:33 YHWH will not allow His covenant people to completely degenerate into idolatry.

1. surely with a mighty hand
2. with wrath poured out, cf. Lam. 4:11

These phrases (i.e., #1,#2) were originally used of YHWH's great and merciful acts of deliverance (in the Exodus, cf. Deut. 3:24; 4:34; 5:15; 6:21; 7:8,19; 9:26,29; 11:2; 26:8; Jos. 4:24). But now they are used to demonstrate that YHWH is fighting against rebellious Israel, not for her!

YHWH will be king (i.e., 1 Sam. 8:7)! He will accomplish His purposes through national Israel! Even though He exiles them, He will bring them back into the land (cf. Ezek. 20:34,41; 11:17; 28:25; 29:13; 34:12-13; Deut. 30:3; Jer. 23:3).

20:37 "pass under the rod" This refers to a shepherd's rod (BDB 986) used for counting sheep (i.e., Lev. 27:32; Jer. 33:13).

The MT is reflected in the NASB. The UBS Text Project, p. 60, gives it a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The LXX, REB, RSV emend the word "bond" (מסרת; BDB 64, KB 608) to "by number" (מספר; KB 607).

20:38 The exile will "purge" (BDB 140, KB 162, Qal PERFECT)

1. those who continue to rebel, BDB 597, KB 632, Qal PARTICIPLE
2. those who continue to transgress, BDB 833, KB 981, Qal PARTICIPLE

▣ "they will not enter the land" See Ezek. 20:15, 16, and 13:9. Evil will be purged from the Promised Land (and one day all the earth)!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:39-44
 ³⁹"As for you, O house of Israel," thus says the Lord God, "Go, serve everyone his idols; but later you will surely listen to Me, and My holy name you will profane no longer with your gifts and with your idols. ⁴⁰For on My holy mountain, on the high mountain of Israel," declares the Lord God, "there the whole house of Israel, all of them, will serve Me in the land; there I will accept them and there I will seek your contributions and the choicest of your gifts, with all your holy things. ⁴¹As a soothing aroma I will accept you when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered; and I will prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations. ⁴²And you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the land which I swore to give to your forefathers. ⁴³There you will remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for all the evil things that you have done. ⁴⁴Then you will know that I am the Lord when I have dealt with you for My name's sake, not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel," declares the Lord God.'"

20:39-40 The verse begins with sarcasm (two Qal IMPERATIVES, "go" and "serve"), denoting Israel's current idolatry. However, a new day is coming (i.e., "afterwards," BDB 29)! This is the great news of chapter 20. Israel has been so consistently unfaithful, but YHWH is consistently faithful. He will restore a repentant and purged Israel!

Note how the text expresses this.

1. You will surely listen to Me, Ezek. 20:39
2. My holy name you will profane no longer, Ezek. 20:39, cf. Ezek. 36:21,22; Lev. 18:21; 19:12; 20:3; 21:6
3. All Israel will serve Him, Ezek. 20:40
4. I shall accept them, Ezek. 20:40
5. I shall accept their sacrifices, Ezek. 20:40
6. I shall accept them as an approved sacrifice, Ezek. 20:41
7. I will gather them from the nations, Ezek. 20:41
8. I shall prove Myself holy among you in the sight of the nations, Ezek. 20:41

20:40 "For on My holy mountain" In context this refers to Mount Moriah, on which Abraham offered Isaac (i.e., Genesis 22) and on which the temple was built (i.e., 1 Kings 7-8). This is a symbolic way of asserting the effective working of the Mosaic covenant.

The term "mountain(s)" (BDB 249) is used often in Ezekiel.

1. It often is a way of referring to the whole land (as Mt. Seir stands for Edom, cf. Ezek. 35:2-3), i.e., Ezek. 6:3; 19:9; 33:28; 34:13,14; 37:22
2. It often is a way of identifying the site of fertility worship, i.e., Ezek. 6:3-4,13; 18:6,11
3. It refers to YHWH's special holy mountain (i.e., the temple), cf. Ezek. 17:22-23; 20:40; 28:14,16 (possibly a divine mountain in the north); Ezek. 43:12

The phrase "the mountains of Israel" is unique to Ezekiel (i.e., note repetition in Ezekiel 36).

Special Topic: Moriah, Salem, Jebus, Jerusalem, Zion

20:41 "As a soothing aroma I shall accept you" This CONSTRUCT (BDB 629 and 926) is metaphorical of a sacrifice (see note at Ezek. 20:28). In Ezekiel it has been used consistently of pagan offerings (cf. Ezek. 6:13; 16:19; 20:28). But here it refers to the people of Israel (cf. Ezek. 43:27). YHWH brought back the remnant from exile and denotes His acceptance of them by this priestly phrase (remember Ezekiel was a trained priest of the line of Zadok)! A people in fellowship with their Creator has always been the goal of the tabernacle and Levitical sacrifices.

20:43 Israel's true repentance will cause them

1. to remember (BDB 269, KB 269, Qal PERFECT) their sin (cf. Ezek. 16:61,63; 36:31, in Ezek. 6:9 they will remember how they hurt YHWH).
2. to loathe (BDB 876, KB 1083, Niphal PERFECT) themselves for it (cf. Ezek. 6:9; 36:31).

20:44 "not according to your evil ways or according to your corrupt ways" Grace, oh grace! What a marvelous message to share! God will deal with us according to who He is and what He has done, not according to who we are or what we have done! Hallelujah.

The spiritual principle "we reap what we sow" is abrogated by the mercy and eternal redemptive purposes of YHWH. Israel has a place in a larger scheme, as do the nations (cf. Romans 9-11).

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: EZEKIEL 20:45-49
 ⁴⁵Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁴⁶"Son of man, set your face toward Teman, and speak out against the south and prophesy against the forest land of the Negev, ⁴⁷and say to the forest of the Negev, 'Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am about to kindle a fire in you, and it will consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree; the blazing flame will not be quenched and the whole surface from south to north will be burned by it. ⁴⁸All flesh will see that I, the Lord, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched."'" ⁴⁹Then I said, "Ah Lord God! They are saying of me, 'Is he not just speaking parables?'"

20:45 A new revelation of a cleansing fire to sweep Canaan of idolatry. This parable introduces Ezekiel 21. This is where the MT starts a new chapter.

Special Topic: Fire

20:46 "set your face toward" This is a literary marker for a judgment pronouncement (cf. Ezek. 6:2; 13:17; 20:46; 21:2; 25:2; 28:21; 29:2; 35:2; 38:2) which follows the same imagery used of YHWH (cf. Lev. 26:17; Jer. 21:10; Ezek. 14:8; 15:7).

▣ "Teman" This is one of three different words which denote the south.

1. Temas (BDB 412, cf. Ezek. 40:24,27,28,44,45; 41:11,12,13,18)
2. Darom (BDB 204, cf. Ezek. 21:2; 40:24,27,28,44; 41:11; 42:12,13)
3. Negeb (BDB 616, cf. Ezek. 21:3; 40:2; 46:9; 47:19; 48:16,28,33)

All of these are allusions to the capital city of Jerusalem (cf. Ezek. 21:1).

20:47 "it shall consume every green tree in you, as well as every dry tree" This parable describes a coming judgment that will affect all Israelites. Here again, we are confronted with the two different ways of judgment.

1. from father to children to the third and fourth generations, cf. Exod. 20:5; Deut. 5:9
2. one individual's life does not affect the children, cf. Ezekiel 18

Somehow both are true! One deals with individuals and one with a national collective. The tension remains! For me personally, my hope lies in Deut. 5:10 and 7:9! My nation may experience the judgment of God, which affects me, but My God knows me and will bring me (and my faithful descendants) to Himself!

20:49 The idolatrous elders listening to Ezekiel (cf. Ezek. 20:1) heard these words and thought he was speaking only metaphorically. Chapter 21 is a reaction to this!

|  Home  |  Old Testament Studies  |  Ezekiel Table of Contents  |  Previous Section  |  Next Section  |

Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International