King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 44:6 Mean?

Ezekiel 44:6 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,”

Ezekiel 44:6 · KJV

Context

4

Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

5

And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary. mark well: Heb. set thine heart mark well: Heb. set thine heart

6

And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,

7

In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers , uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. strangers: Heb. children of a stranger

8

And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves. my charge: or, my ward, or, ordinance

Read Ezekiel 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God rebukes Israel: 'O house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations'—demanding cessation of sin. The Hebrew דַּי (dai, 'suffice'—enough!) expresses divine exasperation. The תּוֹעֵבוֹת (to'evot, 'abominations') are detestable practices, particularly idolatry and syncretism. God's patience has limits—persistent rebellion exhausts divine forbearance. The phrase 'house of Israel' addresses the entire covenant community, not merely individuals. Corporate sin requires corporate repentance. Reformed theology emphasizes that God's longsuffering, while extensive (2 Peter 3:9), isn't infinite—unrepentant sin brings judgment. The 'let it suffice' echoes warnings throughout Scripture: God desires mercy but demands justice when mercy is trampled (Amos 5:15, Micah 6:8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's 'abominations' included idolatry (2 Kings 21:2-9), child sacrifice (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6), syncretism (2 Kings 17:33), injustice (Ezekiel 22:6-12), and Sabbath violation (Ezekiel 20:13, 21, 24). Despite repeated prophetic warnings (2 Kings 17:13-14, Jeremiah 7:25-26), Israel persisted, forcing God's judgment through Babylonian exile. The 'let it suffice' represents final warning before restoration—future opportunities shouldn't be squandered like past ones. Post-exilic Israel largely abandoned idol worship (proving exile's educational effect), though other sins persisted (Malachi's prophecies). Jesus warned Jerusalem similarly (Matthew 23:37-38), and judgment fell in AD 70. Church history shows similar patterns—persistent rebellion eventually incurs discipline (Revelation 2-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. What persistent sin in your life or church has reached the 'let it suffice' point requiring immediate cessation?
  2. How seriously do you treat God's warnings versus presuming on His patience indefinitely?
  3. What contemporary 'abominations' parallel ancient Israel's detestable practices—syncretism, injustice, Sabbath violation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אָמַ֖ר1 of 16

“And thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֙רִי֙3 of 16

“to the rebellious”

H4805

bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious

אֶל4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֥ית5 of 16

“O ye house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃6 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כֹּ֥ה7 of 16
H3541

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

אָמַ֖ר8 of 16

“And thou shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י9 of 16

“the Lord”

H136

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

יְהוִ֑ה10 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

רַב11 of 16

“let it suffice”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

לָכֶ֛ם12 of 16
H0
מִֽכָּל13 of 16
H3605

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

תּוֹעֲב֥וֹתֵיכֶ֖ם14 of 16

“you of all your abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

בֵּ֥ית15 of 16

“O ye house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃16 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 44:6 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 44:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 3:91 Peter 4:3Ezekiel 45:9Ezekiel 2:5-8Ezekiel 3:26-27

Test Your Knowledge

Ezekiel 44 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzekiel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezekiel 44 with CommentaryAll Ezekiel ChaptersComplete Ezekiel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes