King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:30 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:30 in the King James Version says “Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and c...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Ezekiel 20:30 · KJV

Context

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.

32

And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

Read Ezekiel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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?' God's rhetorical questions indict the exilic generation for continuing ancestral patterns. 'Polluted after the manner of your fathers' indicates repeating previous generations' defilement. 'Commit ye whoredom' uses adultery/prostitution imagery for idolatry—violating covenant relationship. Each generation must answer for its own unfaithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ezekiel's generation blamed their exile on previous generations' sins (Ezekiel 18:2) while continuing the same idolatrous practices. Even in exile, they maintained household idols (Ezekiel 14:3-4). They wanted to be inquired of by God (verse 1) while holding onto idolatry—the hypocritical syncretism God condemns throughout this chapter.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we blame previous generations while perpetuating the same patterns of unfaithfulness?
  2. What does spiritual adultery (idolatry) teach about the exclusive nature of covenant relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 17
H3651

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

אָמַר֙2 of 17

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֣ית4 of 17

“unto the house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל5 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כֹּ֤ה6 of 17
H3541

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

אָמַר֙7 of 17

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 17

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה9 of 17

“GOD”

H3069

god

הַבְּדֶ֥רֶךְ10 of 17

“after the manner”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם11 of 17

“of your fathers”

H1

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

אַתֶּ֣ם12 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נִטְמְאִ֑ים13 of 17

“Are ye polluted”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

וְאַחֲרֵ֥י14 of 17

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

שִׁקּוּצֵיהֶ֖ם15 of 17

“their abominations”

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

אַתֶּ֥ם16 of 17
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

זֹנִֽים׃17 of 17

“and commit ye whoredom”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit 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 20:30 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 20:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 16:12Judges 2:19Jeremiah 7:26Acts 7:51Numbers 32:14Matthew 23:32

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