King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:31 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:31 in the King James Version says “For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 20:31 · KJV

Context

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.

33

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

Read Ezekiel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' God refuses consultation because of ongoing child sacrifice and idolatry. 'Make your sons to pass through the fire' refers to Molech worship. 'Even unto this day' indicates persistence into Ezekiel's time. How can they seek God's guidance while sacrificing their children to idols? The answer: emphatic refusal. Unrepentant idolatry disqualifies from divine consultation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Child sacrifice occurred in the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) outside Jerusalem. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh participated (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Though Josiah defiled the site (2 Kings 23:10), the practice evidently continued. Archaeological evidence from Carthage and other Phoenician sites confirms widespread ancient child sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern practices parallel ancient child sacrifice in sacrificing children for adult convenience or ideology?
  2. How does harboring known sin while seeking God's guidance demonstrate spiritual schizophrenia?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּבִשְׂאֵ֣ת1 of 24

“For when ye offer”

H5375

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

מַתְּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם2 of 24

“your gifts”

H4979

a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe

בְּֽהַעֲבִיר֩3 of 24

“to pass through”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּנֵיכֶ֨ם4 of 24

“when ye make your sons”

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

בָּאֵ֜שׁ5 of 24

“the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אַתֶּם֩6 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

נִטְמְאִ֤֨ים7 of 24

“ye pollute”

H2930

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

לְכָל8 of 24
H3605

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

גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶם֙9 of 24

“yourselves with all your idols”

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

עַד10 of 24
H5704

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

הַיּ֔וֹם11 of 24

“even 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

וַאֲנִ֛י12 of 24
H589

i

אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ13 of 24

“I will not be enquired”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

לָכֶ֖ם14 of 24
H0
בֵּ֣ית15 of 24

“of by you O house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל16 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

חַי17 of 24

“As I live”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֗נִי18 of 24
H589

i

נְאֻם֙19 of 24

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י20 of 24

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה21 of 24

“GOD”

H3069

god

אִם22 of 24
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ23 of 24

“I will not be enquired”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

לָכֶֽם׃24 of 24
H0

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 20:31 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 20:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:37-39Ezekiel 20:26Jeremiah 7:31Job 27:10Ezekiel 16:20James 4:1-3

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 20 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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