King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:29 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:29 in the King James Version says “Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day. I sai... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 20:29 · KJV


Context

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?

31

For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name whereof is called Bamah unto this day.' God's question about the high places ('bamah') is rhetorical—exposing their folly. The wordplay on 'bamah' (high place) emphasizes the absurdity. These forbidden worship sites persisted 'unto this day' (Ezekiel's time, ~591 BC), showing centuries of persistent high place worship despite prophetic condemnation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

High place worship plagued Israel throughout the monarchy. Even faithful kings like Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, and Amaziah failed to remove high places (1 Kings 15:14, 22:43; 2 Kings 12:3, 14:4). Only Hezekiah and Josiah removed them temporarily (2 Kings 18:4, 23:8), but they returned. This persistent syncretism contributed to exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'high places' (respectable but spiritually compromising practices) persist in church history and our lives?
  2. Why is compromise in worship so attractive and persistent despite its offensiveness to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וָאֹמַ֣ר1 of 14

Then I said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֔ם2 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָ֣ה3 of 14
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַבָּמָ֔ה4 of 14

unto them What is the high place

H1116

an elevation

אֲשֶׁר5 of 14
H834

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

אַתֶּ֥ם6 of 14
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַבָּאִ֖ים7 of 14

whereunto ye go

H935

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

שָׁ֑ם8 of 14
H8033

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

וַיִּקָּרֵ֤א9 of 14

thereof is called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמָהּ֙10 of 14

And the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

בָּמָ֔ה11 of 14

Bamah

H1117

bamah, a place in palestine

עַ֖ד12 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם13 of 14

unto this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃14 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 20:29 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 20:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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