King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 16:20 Mean?

Ezekiel 16:20 in the King James Version says “Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto t...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, to be: Heb. to devour”

Ezekiel 16:20 · KJV

Context

18

And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.

19

My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, wherewith I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and thus it was, saith the Lord GOD. a sweet: Heb. a savour of rest

20

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, to be: Heb. to devour

21

That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?

22

And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.

Read Ezekiel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, The allegory reaches its most horrific accusation: child sacrifice. This represents the ultimate perversion of covenant relationship—offering God own children to foreign deities, the most abominable practice imaginable.

Thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters emphasizes the victims—covenant children, the next generation who should have inherited promises. Whom thou hast borne unto me identifies them as God children through covenant relationship. Israel children belonged to God as covenant people; sacrificing them to other gods represented theft and murder of divine possession.

These hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured describes child sacrifice to foreign deities, particularly Molech worship (Leviticus 18:21, 20:2-5). This was explicitly forbidden and punishable by death. The phrase to be devoured indicates actual killing and possibly burning alive, as suggested by the word "pass through fire" used elsewhere (2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 7:31).

Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter? is rhetorical question emphasizing the enormity of the crime. Spiritual adultery was bad enough; murdering covenant children for idols exceeds all bounds. From Reformed perspective, this represents total depravity depth—humans will sacrifice even their own children to idolatry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Child sacrifice to Molech occurred in the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) outside Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 7:31, 19:5-6, 32:35). Archaeological evidence from Carthage and other Phoenician sites confirms this practice existed in ancient Near East, though its extent in Israel remains debated.

Biblical texts indicate kings Ahaz and Manasseh engaged in child sacrifice (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Jeremiah condemns the practice repeatedly, indicating it was not isolated but systematic during late monarchy. Josiah reform desecrated the Tophet to prevent further sacrifices (2 Kings 23:10), but the practice evidently resumed afterward.

The metaphor works on multiple levels: literal child sacrifice occurred; additionally, dedicating children to pagan cults through syncretistic religious education sacrificed them spiritually to false gods. Either way, covenant children who should have been raised in Yahweh worship were given to idols.

For Ezekiel audience, this accusation explained judgment severity. Child sacrifice represented crossing a red line that made divine wrath inevitable. God would not tolerate His covenant children being murdered for false gods.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does child sacrifice teach about the extremes of human depravity when following idolatry?
  2. How do modern societies sacrifice children (abortion, exploitation, neglect) for idolatrous ends?
  3. In what ways does failing to raise covenant children in the faith constitute spiritual sacrifice to other gods?
  4. What is God righteous anger toward those who harm children entrusted to His people (Matthew 18:6)?
  5. How does Christ offering Himself as sacrifice end the need for any other sacrificial victims?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַתִּקְחִ֞י1 of 13

“Moreover thou hast taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בָּנַ֤יִךְ3 of 13

“thy sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְאֶת4 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנוֹתַ֙יִךְ֙5 of 13

“and thy daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָלַ֣דְתְּ7 of 13

“whom thou hast borne”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לִ֔י8 of 13
H0
וַתִּזְבָּחִ֥ים9 of 13

“unto me and these hast thou sacrificed”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לָהֶ֖ם10 of 13
H0
לֶאֱכ֑וֹל11 of 13

“unto them to be devoured”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הַמְעַ֖ט12 of 13

“a small matter”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מִתַּזְנוּתָֽךְ׃13 of 13

“Is this of thy whoredoms”

H8457

harlotry, i.e., (figuratively) idolatry

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 16:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 16:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 23:37Jeremiah 7:31Ezekiel 20:31Exodus 13:2Psalms 106:37-38Ezekiel 20:26

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