King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:40 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:40 in the King James Version says “For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Isr... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. firstfruits: or, chief

Ezekiel 20:40 · KJV


Context

38

And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

39

As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

40

For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things. firstfruits: or, chief

41

I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen. sweet: Heb. savour of rest

42

And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.' The promise: restored worship on God's holy mountain (Zion). 'All the house of Israel...serve me' indicates unified, pure worship replacing syncretistic high places. 'There will I accept them' promises restored fellowship. Acceptable worship replaces offensive idolatry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The return from exile and temple rebuilding (520-515 BC) partially fulfilled this. Centralized worship at Jerusalem resumed. However, full fulfillment awaited Christ, who is the true temple (John 2:19-21). The church as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21) and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22) complete the fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ as the true temple fulfill this promise of acceptable worship?
  2. What does acceptable worship in God's holy mountain teach about the church's worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כִּ֣י1 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּהַ֣ר׀2 of 27

in the mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קָדְשֵׁיכֶֽם׃3 of 27

For in mine holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בְּהַ֣ר׀4 of 27

in the mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

מְר֣וֹם5 of 27

of the height

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל6 of 27

of Israel

H3478

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

נְאֻם֙7 of 27

saith

H5002

an oracle

אֲדֹנָ֣י8 of 27

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִ֔ה9 of 27

GOD

H3069

god

שָׁ֣ם10 of 27
H8033

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

יַעַבְדֻ֜נִי11 of 27

serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

כָּל12 of 27
H3605

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

בֵּ֧ית13 of 27

there shall all the house

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל14 of 27

of Israel

H3478

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

כֻּלֹּ֖ה15 of 27
H3605

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

בָּאָ֑רֶץ16 of 27

all of them in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

שָׁ֣ם17 of 27
H8033

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

אֶרְצֵ֔ם18 of 27

me there will I accept

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

וְשָׁ֞ם19 of 27
H8033

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

אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ20 of 27

them and there will I require

H1875

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

אֶת21 of 27
H853

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

תְּרוּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם22 of 27

your offerings

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

וְאֶת23 of 27
H853

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

רֵאשִׁ֛ית24 of 27

and the firstfruits

H7225

the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)

מַשְׂאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם25 of 27

of your oblations

H4864

properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr

בְּכָל26 of 27
H3605

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

קָדְשֵׁיכֶֽם׃27 of 27

For in mine holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity


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 20:40 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 20:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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