King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:7 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:7 in the King James Version says “Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 20:7 · KJV

Context

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.

8

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

9

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

Read Ezekiel 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' God's command in Egypt: abandon Egyptian idolatry. 'Abominations of his eyes' refers to idols they viewed/desired. 'Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt' requires clean break from Egyptian religion. The covenant formula 'I am the LORD your God' grounds the command in relationship. Exclusive loyalty to Yahweh was prerequisite for deliverance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua 24:14 and Ezekiel 23:3, 8 confirm that Israel worshiped Egyptian gods during their sojourn. Archaeological evidence shows widespread Egyptian religious practices. God's demand for exclusive worship preceded the exodus, not merely following it. Election requires consecration.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Egyptian idols' must we forsake to fully follow Christ?
  2. How does God's exclusivity in relationship challenge modern religious pluralism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וָאֹמַ֣ר1 of 13

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵהֶ֗ם2 of 13
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ3 of 13

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י4 of 13

“the abominations”

H8251

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

עֵינָיו֙5 of 13

“of his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַשְׁלִ֔יכוּ6 of 13

“I unto them Cast ye away”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

וּבְגִלּוּלֵ֥י7 of 13

“not yourselves with the idols”

H1544

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

מִצְרַ֖יִם8 of 13

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

אַל9 of 13
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּ10 of 13

“and defile”

H2930

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

אֲנִ֖י11 of 13
H589

i

יְהוָ֥ה12 of 13

“I am the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃13 of 13

“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 20:7 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 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 18:3Ezekiel 20:8Leviticus 11:44Deuteronomy 29:16-18Ezekiel 18:31Ezekiel 23:3

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Ezekiel 20 →

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 20 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes