King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:13 in the King James Version says “But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judg... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Ezekiel 20:13 · KJV


Context

11

And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. shewed: Heb. made them to know

12

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.

13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

14

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

15

Yet also I lifted up my hand unto 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;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.' Israel's wilderness rebellion: rejecting statutes, despising judgments, polluting Sabbaths. The verb ma'as ('despised') indicates contemptuous rejection. God's response: fury ready to consume them. This refers to repeated rebellions: golden calf (Exodus 32), complaining about manna (Numbers 11), rejecting the promised land (Numbers 13-14), Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The wilderness generation's rebellion is documented throughout Exodus-Numbers. Despite seeing God's miracles, they repeatedly doubted, complained, and disobeyed. Their unbelief resulted in the decree that the exodus generation would die in the wilderness (Numbers 14:20-35). Only Joshua and Caleb entered the promised land from that generation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we avoid the wilderness generation's pattern of witnessing miracles yet remaining unbelieving?
  2. What does God's restraint from immediate judgment teach about His patience and purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיַּמְרוּ1 of 27

rebelled

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

בִ֨י2 of 27
H0
בֵֽית3 of 27

But the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל4 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר5 of 27

against me in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

בְּחֻקּוֹתַ֨י6 of 27

not in my statutes

H2708

a statute

לֹא7 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָלָ֜כוּ8 of 27

they walked

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְאֶת9 of 27
H853

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

מִשְׁפָּטַ֣י10 of 27

my judgments

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מָאָ֗סוּ11 of 27

and they despised

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אֲשֶׁר֩12 of 27
H834

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

יַעֲשֶׂ֨ה13 of 27

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֹתָ֤ם14 of 27
H853

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

הָֽאָדָם֙15 of 27

which if a man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וָחַ֣י16 of 27

he shall even live

H2425

to live; causatively to revive

בָּהֶ֔ם17 of 27
H0
וְאֶת18 of 27
H853

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

שַׁבְּתֹתַ֖י19 of 27

in them and my sabbaths

H7676

intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath

חִלְּל֣וּ20 of 27

polluted

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

מְאֹ֑ד21 of 27

they greatly

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וָאֹמַ֞ר22 of 27

then I said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִשְׁפֹּ֨ךְ23 of 27

I would pour out

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

חֲמָתִ֧י24 of 27

my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם25 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בַּמִּדְבָּ֖ר26 of 27

against me in the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

לְכַלּוֹתָֽם׃27 of 27

to consume

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)


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 20:13 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 20:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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