King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 6:13 Mean?

Ezekiel 6:13 in the King James Version says “Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon ev... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.

Ezekiel 6:13 · KJV


Context

11

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say, Alas for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel! for they shall fall by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence.

12

He that is far off shall die of the pestilence; and he that is near shall fall by the sword; and he that remaineth and is besieged shall die by the famine: thus will I accomplish my fury upon them.

13

Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.

14

So will I stretch out my hand upon them, and make the land desolate, yea, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblath, in all their habitations: and they shall know that I am the LORD. more: or, desolate from the wilderness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols. The recognition formula returns, tied specifically to corpses surrounding idols at worship sites. The geographic specificity—high hills, mountaintops, green trees, thick oaks—catalogs idolatrous worship locations throughout the land. "Sweet savour" (reiach nicho'ach, רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ) ironically uses language for acceptable sacrifices to Yahweh (Genesis 8:21; Leviticus 1:9) applied to idol worship. The tragic reversal: instead of pleasing aroma ascending to God, corpses rot before powerless idols. This macabre scene teaches that idols neither prevent death nor receive offerings—they're as dead as their worshipers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological surveys confirm widespread high place distribution across Israel's hill country. Remains of altars, standing stones, and cultic installations appear on hilltops, under ancient trees, and at mountain shrines throughout the land. The phrase 'under every green tree' became proverbial for idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:2; 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 16:4; 17:10; Jeremiah 2:20; 3:6, 13). Canaanite religion associated sacred trees with divine presence, a practice Israel adopted despite prohibitions. The irony of corpses among idols at these sites vindicated Yahweh's exclusive deity while demonstrating idols' impotence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the ironic reversal (corpses instead of pleasing aroma) expose idolatry's futility?
  2. What modern 'high places' and 'sacred groves' do we establish where we worship false gods?
  3. How does this passage challenge us to examine what truly receives the 'sweet savour' of our lives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙1 of 33

Then shall ye know

H3045

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

כִּֽי2 of 33
H3588

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

אֲנִ֣י3 of 33
H589

i

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 33

that I am the LORD

H3068

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

בִּֽהְי֣וֹת5 of 33
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חַלְלֵיהֶ֗ם6 of 33

when their slain

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בְּתוֹךְ֙7 of 33

men shall be among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

גִּלּוּלֵיהֶֽם׃8 of 33

their idols

H1544

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

סְבִיב֖וֹת9 of 33

round about

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

מִזְבְּחֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם10 of 33

their altars

H4196

an altar

אֶל֩11 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל12 of 33
H3605

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

גִּבְעָ֨ה13 of 33

hill

H1389

a hillock

רָמָ֜ה14 of 33

upon every high

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

בְּכֹ֣ל׀15 of 33
H3605

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

רָאשֵׁ֣י16 of 33

in all the tops

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הֶהָרִ֗ים17 of 33

of the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְתַ֨חַת18 of 33
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כָּל19 of 33
H3605

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

עֵ֤ץ20 of 33

tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

רַֽעֲנָן֙21 of 33

and under every green

H7488

verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous

וְתַ֙חַת֙22 of 33
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כָּל23 of 33
H3605

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

אֵלָ֣ה24 of 33

oak

H424

an oak or other strong tree

עֲבֻתָּ֔ה25 of 33

and under every thick

H5687

intwined, i.e., dense

מְק֗וֹם26 of 33

the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר27 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָֽתְנוּ28 of 33

where they did offer

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

שָׁם֙29 of 33
H8033

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

רֵ֣יחַ30 of 33

savour

H7381

odor (as if blown)

נִיחֹ֔חַ31 of 33

sweet

H5207

properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight

לְכֹ֖ל32 of 33
H3605

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

גִּלּוּלֵיהֶֽם׃33 of 33

their idols

H1544

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


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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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