King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:28 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:28 in the King James Version says “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 h... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezekiel 20:28 · KJV


Context

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

30

Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Upon entering the promised land, Israel immediately adopted Canaanite worship practices. 'Every high hill, and all the thick trees' describes Canaanite high places and sacred groves. Rather than exclusive Yahweh worship, they offered sacrifices at pagan sites. 'The provocation of their offering' indicates how offensive this syncretism was to God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological excavations throughout Israel/Palestine confirm widespread high place worship. These were often hilltop platforms with altars, standing stones (masseboth), and Asherah poles. Israelites syncretistically worshiped Yahweh alongside Baal and Asherah at these sites, exactly what God forbade (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we syncretistically mix true worship with cultural or pagan elements?
  2. What does God's demand for exclusive worship teach about the nature of covenant relationship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וָאֲבִיאֵם֙1 of 33

For when I had brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל2 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֔רֶץ3 of 33

them into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר4 of 33
H834

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

נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙5 of 33

for the which I lifted up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת6 of 33
H853

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

יָדִ֔י7 of 33

mine hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיִּתְּנוּ8 of 33

and there they presented

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אוֹתָ֖הּ9 of 33
H853

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

לָהֶ֑ם10 of 33
H0
וַיִּרְאוּ֩11 of 33

it to them then they saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כָל12 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גִּבְעָ֨ה13 of 33

hill

H1389

a hillock

רָמָ֜ה14 of 33

every high

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

וְכָל15 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֵ֣ץ16 of 33

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

עָבֹ֗ת17 of 33

and all the thick

H5687

intwined, i.e., dense

וַיִּזְבְּחוּ18 of 33

and they offered

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

שָׁ֤ם19 of 33
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת20 of 33
H853

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

זִבְחֵיהֶם֙21 of 33

there their sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וַיִּתְּנוּ22 of 33

and there they presented

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

שָׁם֙23 of 33
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כַּ֣עַס24 of 33

the provocation

H3708

vexation

קָרְבָּנָ֔ם25 of 33

of their offering

H7133

something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present

וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ26 of 33

there also they made

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שָׁ֗ם27 of 33
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

רֵ֚יחַ28 of 33

savour

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיח֣וֹחֵיהֶ֔ם29 of 33

their sweet

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

וַיַּסִּ֥יכוּ30 of 33

and poured out

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

שָׁ֖ם31 of 33
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת32 of 33
H853

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

נִסְכֵּיהֶֽם׃33 of 33

there their drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol


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 20:28 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 20:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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