King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:27 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:27 in the King James Version says “Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fath... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me. committed: Heb. trespassed a trespass

Ezekiel 20:27 · KJV


Context

25

Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;

26

And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

27

Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me. committed: Heb. trespassed a trespass

28

For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

29

Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day. I said: or, I told them what the high place was, or, Bamah


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.' Moving to the promised land period, God indicts continuing blasphemy despite being brought into the promised land. 'Blasphemed' (gadheph) means reviling or insulting God. 'Committed a trespass' (ma'al) indicates treacherous unfaithfulness. Even God's gift of the land didn't produce gratitude and obedience.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The conquest and settlement period (Joshua-Judges) showed persistent compromise. Israel failed to drive out Canaanites fully, intermarried with them, and adopted their worship practices. The cyclical pattern in Judges demonstrates ongoing unfaithfulness despite experiencing God's deliverance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we blaspheme God through ingratitude for His blessings?
  2. What does Israel's pattern teach about human nature's tendency to take God's gifts for granted?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

דַּבֵּ֨ר2 of 21

speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֤ית4 of 21

unto the house

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙5 of 21

of Israel

H3478

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

בֶּן6 of 21

Therefore son

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

אָדָ֔ם7 of 21

of man

H120

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

אָמַ֖ר8 of 21

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּ֥ה10 of 21
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֖ר11 of 21

and say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י12 of 21

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֑ה13 of 21

GOD

H3069

god

ע֗וֹד14 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

זֹ֚את15 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

גִּדְּפ֤וּ16 of 21

have blasphemed

H1442

to hack (with words), i.e., revile

אוֹתִי֙17 of 21
H853

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

אֲב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם18 of 21

Yet in this your fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּמַעֲלָ֥ם19 of 21

a trespass

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

בִּ֖י20 of 21
H0
מָֽעַל׃21 of 21

me in that they have committed

H4603

properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e., treacherously


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 20:27 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 20:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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