King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:5 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:5 in the King James Version says “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; lifted: or, sware

Ezekiel 20:5 · KJV


Context

3

Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.

4

Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers: Wilt: or, Wilt thou plead for them

5

And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; lifted: or, sware

6

In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God.' This begins the historical review. God 'chose' (bachar) Israel—divine election, not human merit. 'Lifted up mine hand' signifies oath-taking. God's self-revelation in Egypt ('made myself known') and covenant formula ('I am the LORD your God') established relationship. Grace initiated the covenant.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Egyptian period (Genesis 46-Exodus 12) saw Israel grow from 70 to perhaps 2 million. God revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 3-4) and performed signs, demonstrating His power over Egyptian gods. The Passover and exodus demonstrated covenant faithfulness to Abraham's descendants.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's initiative in salvation prevent pride?
  2. What does God's self-revelation in Egypt teach about His character and covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לֵאמֹ֔ר1 of 25

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּֽה3 of 25
H3541

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

לֵאמֹ֔ר4 of 25

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י5 of 25

the Lord

H136

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

יְהוִה֒6 of 25

GOD

H3069

god

בְּיוֹם֙7 of 25

In the 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

בָּחֳרִ֣י8 of 25

when I chose

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל9 of 25

Israel

H3478

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

וָאֶשָּׂ֨א10 of 25

and lifted up

H5375

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

יָדִ֤י11 of 25

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

לְזֶ֙רַע֙12 of 25

unto the seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

בֵּ֣ית13 of 25

of the house

H1004

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

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב14 of 25

of Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וָאִוָּדַ֥ע15 of 25

and made myself known

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לָהֶ֖ם16 of 25
H0
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ17 of 25

unto them in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם18 of 25

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וָאֶשָּׂ֨א19 of 25

and lifted up

H5375

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

יָדִ֤י20 of 25

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

לָהֶם֙21 of 25
H0
לֵאמֹ֔ר22 of 25

And say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲנִ֖י23 of 25
H589

i

יְהוָ֥ה24 of 25

I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃25 of 25

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 20:5 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 20:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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