Israel's History of Rebellion and Divine Judgment
Ezekiel 20:1-29
Eze.20.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- השביעית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- בחמשי: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בעשור: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מזקני: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:1 (verbal): Almost identical wording: 'some of the elders of Israel came unto me, and sat before me.' Both passages record elders coming to Ezekiel to consult him.
- Ezekiel 8:1 (structural): Similar prophetic introduction using a precise chronological formula (year/month/day) to situate a vision; both mark the time of Ezekiel's revelation.
- 1 Samuel 8:4-6 (thematic): 'All the elders of Israel' come to Samuel to petition him (for a king). The scene reflects the pattern of Israel's elders approaching a prophetic/judicial figure to seek counsel or decision.
- Numbers 11:16-17,24-25 (thematic): Moses summons seventy elders to share leadership and receives God's Spirit upon them. Parallels the role of elders in relation to prophetic authority and communal consultation of God through a leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat before me.
- And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD and sat before me.
Eze.20.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:4 (verbal): Uses the identical prophetic introductory formula 'The word of the LORD came to me, saying,' to introduce Jeremiah's commission, paralleling Ezekiel's opening.
- Hosea 1:1 (structural): Begins with 'The word of the LORD that came to Hosea,' a parallel structural formula introducing a prophet's oracle and signaling authoritative divine speech.
- 1 Kings 17:2 (verbal): 'And the word of the LORD came to him, saying' introduces a message to Elijah—an example of the same common prophetic reporting phrase used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
- Ezekiel 20:3 (structural): Immediate continuation of 20:2—the opening divine formula in 20:2 leads directly into the addressed command in 20:3, illustrating the internal commission sequence in Ezekiel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
- And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
Eze.20.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הלדרש: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אם: CONJ
- אדרש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 14:3 (verbal): Same prophetic rebuke formula—elders with idols in their hearts and the rhetorical question/statement about whether God should be inquired of by them (close verbal parallel).
- Hosea 5:6 (thematic): Speaks of people seeking the LORD but he withdraws from them—echoes Ezekiel's refusal to be inquired of by a people who have rejected him.
- 1 Samuel 8:7 (thematic): God’s rebuke regarding Israel’s leaders requesting a king: their request reflects rejection of divine rule—parallels the elders' improper approach to God in Ezekiel.
- Isaiah 29:13 (thematic): Denounces ritual/words without true obedience (‘draw near with their mouths… hearts are far’), connecting to the idea that outward inquiry of God is empty when people have rejected him.
- Jeremiah 7:25-26 (thematic): God recounts repeatedly sending prophets who were not heeded; illustrates why God refuses or spurns the people's attempts to consult him (background for Ezekiel's refusal).
Alternative generated candidates
- Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Are you come to inquire of me? As I live—declares the Lord GOD—I will not be inquired of by you.
- “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Are you coming to inquire of me? As I live—I will not be inquired of by you, says the Lord GOD.’”
Eze.20.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- התשפט: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- התשפוט: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- תועבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- הודיעם: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg+SUFF,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:5 (verbal): Immediate continuation: God commands the prophet to recount Israel’s ancestral history and their 'abominations,' echoing the charge to 'declare' their fathers’ sins.
- Ezekiel 18:2 (thematic): Contrasts the idea of collective generational guilt ('the fathers have eaten sour grapes')—Ezekiel 20 recounts fathers’ abominations as background for judgment while ch.18 insists on individual responsibility.
- Leviticus 18:24-25 (thematic): Speaks of the land being defiled by the inhabitants’ 'abominations' and God’s judgment—similar language and rationale for punishment for ancestral sexual and cultic sins.
- Deuteronomy 9:7 (thematic): Moses admonishes Israel to remember how their ancestors provoked Yahweh in the wilderness—an instruction to recount ancestral sins as grounds for divine action, paralleling Ezekiel’s task to 'tell' their abominations.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (thematic): Summarizes Israel’s persistent idolatry and the 'sins of their fathers' that led to exile—parallels Ezekiel’s indictment of ancestral abominations as explanation for national judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Will you judge them? Judge, son of man, the abominations of their fathers, and make them known to them.
- “Will you judge them? Judge, son of man, the abominations of their fathers and make them known to them.
Eze.20.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- בחרי: PREP
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- לזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואודע: VERB,hif,impf,1,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 6:7 (verbal): God's promise in Egypt: 'I will take you to me for a people, and I will be your God' echoes Ezekiel's 'I made myself known… saying, I am the LORD your God.'
- Leviticus 26:12 (verbal): Covenantal formula 'I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people' parallels Ezekiel's declaration of being Israel's God upon choosing them.
- Deuteronomy 7:6 (thematic): Theme of divine election: 'the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession' connects with 'in the day when I chose Israel.'
- Psalm 105:23-45 (allusion): Psalmic retelling of Israel in Egypt and God's revelation and covenant acts recalls Ezekiel's claim that God made himself known to Israel in the land of Egypt.
Alternative generated candidates
- Say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day I chose Israel I lifted up my hand to the seed of the house of Jacob and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt; I lifted up my hand to them, saying, 'I am the LORD your God.'
- And say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up my hand to the offspring of the house of Jacob and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, I lifted up my hand to them, saying, “I am the LORD your God.”’”
Eze.20.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- נשאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להוציאם: VERB,hiph,inf,3,m,pl
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- זבת: PART,qal,ptc,prs,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- לכל: PREP
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): God promises to bring Israel out of Egypt into “a land flowing with milk and honey,” language and promise echoed in Ezek.20:6.
- Exodus 3:17 (verbal): Repeats the pledge to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and give them the promised land, paralleling the deliverance and land-gift motif.
- Exodus 13:5 (verbal): Links the exodus deliverance to entry into “the land which the LORD swore... a land flowing with milk and honey,” using the same descriptive formula.
- Deuteronomy 26:9 (thematic): Recalls God’s act of bringing Israel out of Egypt and giving them the land “flowing with milk and honey,” echoing the covenantal deliverance-theme.
- Leviticus 20:24 (thematic): God declares He brought Israel out of Egypt to give them a land to possess—‘a land flowing with milk and honey’—paralleling the purpose and result of the exodus in Ezek.20:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day I also lifted up my hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
- On that day I lifted up my hand to them to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey—the pride of all lands.
Eze.20.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שקוצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- השליכו: VERB,hif,impv,2,m,pl
- ובגלולי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- תטמאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 20:4-6 (quotation): The Decalogue prohibition against making/serving idols parallels Ezekiel’s command not to defile themselves with Egyptian idols; both invoke loyalty to YHWH as basis for the prohibition.
- Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (verbal): Warns Israel not to fashion or worship images and not to ‘lift up your eyes’ to heavenly bodies—language and concern about being led astray by what the eyes desire closely echo Ezekiel’s ‘throw away the detestable things of your eyes.’”},{
Alternative generated candidates
- And I said to them, 'Cast away the detestable things of your eyes; do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.'
- And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things of your eyes; do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’”
Eze.20.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לשמע: INF,qal,infc
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- שקוצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עיניהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- לא: PART_NEG
- השליכו: VERB,hif,impv,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- גלולי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עזבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לשפך: PREP+INF,qal
- חמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לכלות: VERB,qal,inf
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בתוך: PREP
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezek.20.7 (verbal): Immediate context — repeats the phrase about not casting away “the abominations of their eyes” and the people’s refusal to listen, the same verbal charge against Israel.
- Exodus 32:1-9 (thematic): The golden calf episode: Israel’s idolatry and God’s resulting anger and intention to punish — parallels refusal to abandon idols and God’s threatened outpouring of wrath.
- Deuteronomy 9:7-14 (thematic): Moses’ recounting of Israel’s rebellion at Horeb and God’s fierce anger and threat to destroy them — similar motif of persistent rebellion and divine fury.
- Jeremiah 44:17-20 (thematic): Judeans in Egypt refuse prophetic warning and continue to worship Egyptian gods/household idols — directly parallels the charge that they did not forsake ‘the idols of Egypt.’
- Psalm 106:19-23 (thematic): The psalm retells Israel’s making of the calf and God’s wrath until Moses intercedes — echoes Israel’s idolatry, provocation of divine anger, and the theme of threatened destruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they rebelled against me and would not listen; everyone rejected the detestable things of his eyes, they would not cast them off, nor abandoned the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them and spend my wrath upon them in the land of Egypt.
- Yet they rebelled against me and would not obey me; they did not cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the land of Egypt to cut them off.
Eze.20.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואעש: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- החל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נודעתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,c,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להוציאם: VERB,hiphil,inf,3,m,pl
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 20:2 (verbal): Echoes the Decalogue formula of divine self-revelation and deliverance — 'I am the LORD who brought you out of Egypt' — which Ezekiel recalls when noting God made himself known by bringing Israel out of Egypt.
- Deuteronomy 9:28 (thematic): Moses expresses concern for God's reputation among the nations (that they not say the LORD was unable), paralleling Ezekiel's emphasis on God's actions 'for my name's sake' to avoid profaning his name before the nations.
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (verbal): Directly parallels the language and motive — God acts not for Israel's sake but 'for my holy name's sake' to vindicate his name which was profaned among the nations.
- Ezekiel 20:14 (structural): Near-verbatim repetition within the chapter restating that God's acts (including the Exodus) were done 'for my name's sake' so that his name not be profaned before the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet for my name's sake I acted that I might not make a full end of them before the nations among whom they were, among whom I had been known to them by name; I made myself known to them to bring them out from the land of Egypt.
- But I acted for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations among whom they were, in whose sight I had made myself known to them—bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
Eze.20.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואוציאם: VERB,hiph,impf,1,c,sg
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואבאם: VERB,hiph,impf,1,c,sg
- אל: NEG
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 3:10 (verbal): God commissions Moses to bring Israel out of Egypt—same language of bringing the people out of the land of Egypt (shared motive and phrasing).
- Exodus 13:18 (verbal): Narrative statement that God led Israel by the way of the wilderness when bringing them out of Egypt, echoing the movement 'out of Egypt' into the wilderness.
- Numbers 33:4 (verbal): A straightforward travel notice: 'the children of Israel went out of the land of Egypt'—parallels the Exodus motif of departure from Egypt found in Ezekiel’s account.
- Deuteronomy 8:2 (thematic): God’s purpose in leading Israel through the wilderness (to humble and test them) parallels Ezekiel’s use of the wilderness as the setting of God’s formative, disciplinary action.
- Psalm 78:52 (verbal): Poetic retelling of the Exodus: God 'brought them out' and 'guided them in the wilderness like a flock,' directly echoing the image of deliverance into the wilderness used by Ezekiel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
- And I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
Eze.20.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- חקותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- ואת: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- הודעתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:5 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel: Leviticus commands Israel to keep God's statutes and ordinances and adds the promise/axiom that a person who does them shall live by them—language echoed in Ezekiel 20:11.
- Ezekiel 20:13 (structural): Immediate intra‑chapter parallel/repetition: the same formula (I gave them my statutes and showed them my judgments … that a person who does them shall live) is reiterated within Ezekiel 20 as part of God’s indictment of Israel’s disobedience.
- Deuteronomy 30:16 (thematic): Thematic parallel: Deuteronomy links obedience to God’s commandments with life and prosperity (‘that thou mayest live and multiply’), reflecting the same covenantal promise that keeping God’s statutes yields life.
- Galatians 3:12 (quotation): New Testament citation/allusion to the same Levitical formula: Paul (quoting the law’s teaching) says ‘the man who does these things shall live by them,’ using the maxim in his argument about law and faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- I gave them my statutes and made known to them my ordinances, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them.
- And I gave them my statutes and made known to them my ordinances—‘If a man does them, he shall live by them.’
Eze.20.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- שבתותי: NOUN,f,pl,poss-suf:1,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- לאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וביניהם: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,pl
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מקדשם: VERB,piel,ptcp,3,m,sg+OBJ:3,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 31:13 (quotation): Uses almost identical language: the Sabbath is to be a sign between God and Israel and includes the phrase that they may know 'I am the LORD who sanctifies you' — a direct verbal parallel.
- Exodus 31:17 (verbal): Speaks of the Sabbath as a perpetual sign between God and Israel and links Sabbath-rest with God's sanctifying action, echoing Ezekiel's rationale.
- Ezekiel 20:20 (structural): A later verse in the same chapter that repeats the command to keep the Sabbaths as a sign so that the people may know the LORD, reinforcing the same wording and theme.
- Leviticus 19:30 (thematic): Commands Israel to 'keep my Sabbaths' and invokes 'I the LORD,' reflecting the shared theological motifs of Sabbath observance, sanctity, and divine identity found in Ezekiel 20:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I the LORD sanctify them.
- Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Eze.20.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחקותי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,pss=1s
- לא: PART_NEG
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- מאסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- שבתתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- חללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לשפך: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- חמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכלותם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:5 (verbal): Contains the phrase and idea 'which if a man do them, he shall live by them'—the aphorism about statutes and life that Ezekiel echoes verbatim.
- Exodus 16:23-30 (thematic): Narrative of the manna and the institution of the Sabbath in the wilderness; provides the wilderness context and the people's failure to observe the Sabbath that Ezekiel condemns.
- Numbers 15:32-36 (verbal): Example of someone in the wilderness profaning the Sabbath and being put to death; echoes Ezekiel's charge that Israel 'profaned my Sabbaths' and the theme of punitive judgment.
- Jeremiah 17:27 (thematic): Warning that failure to keep the Sabbath will bring the LORD's fire upon the gates of Jerusalem—parallels Ezekiel's threat to pour out fury to consume for Sabbath profanation.
- Ezekiel 20:11-12 (structural): Immediate context within the chapter: God recounts giving statutes, judgments and the Sabbaths to Israel—these verses set up the contrast with v.13's accusation of rebellion and profaning the Sabbath.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not walk in my statutes, and they despised my ordinances, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them; and they greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them and spend my wrath on them in the wilderness.
- Yet the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not walk in my statutes and they despised my ordinances—‘If a man does them, he shall live by them’—and they greatly profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness to destroy them.
Eze.20.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- החל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוצאתים: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,pl
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording—God declares he acts “for my holy name’s sake,” emphasizing that his dealings with Israel aim to vindicate and sanctify his name before the nations.
- Psalm 106:8 (verbal): “Yet he saved them for his name’s sake” parallels Ezek. 20:14’s motif that God preserves Israel not chiefly for their merit but to uphold his own name and reputation.
- 1 Samuel 12:22 (thematic): Affirms the same theological principle: the LORD will not abandon his people for the sake of his great name—God’s faithfulness toward Israel is tied to the safeguarding of his name.
- Isaiah 48:11 (thematic): God states he will act “for my own sake… that my name be not profaned,” echoing Ezekiel’s concern that God’s actions toward Israel serve to protect his honor and glory among the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I acted for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
- But I acted for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations among whom I had brought them out.
Eze.20.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- נשאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- הביא: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- זבת: PART,qal,ptc,prs,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- לכל: PREP
- הארצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- Numbers 14:22-23 (allusion): Speaks of God’s refusal to bring the unbelieving wilderness generation into the promised land—parallels Ezekiel’s statement that God lifted his hand to withhold them from the land.
- Deuteronomy 1:35-36 (quotation): God declares in the wilderness that the present generation will not see the good land he promised, echoing Ezekiel’s claim that he would not bring them into the land.
- Exodus 3:8 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'a land flowing with milk and honey' to describe the promised land—verbal parallel to Ezekiel’s description of the land he had given.
- Psalm 95:11 (quotation): Refers to God’s oath in his wrath that the Israelites would not enter his rest (the land) because of their unbelief, directly echoing the wilderness-oath motif in Ezekiel 20:15.
- Hebrews 3:10-11 (allusion): New Testament citation of Psalm 95’s wilderness judgment—applies the same theme that God barred the disobedient generation from entering his rest/the promised land.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
- And yet I lifted up my hand to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them—a land flowing with milk and honey, the pride of all lands.
Eze.20.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יען: CONJ
- במשפטי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s
- מאסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- חקותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- לא: PART_NEG
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- שבתותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs+1,sg
- חללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אחרי: PREP
- גלוליהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- לבם: NOUN,m,sg,poss
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:13 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: Israel 'rebelled' and 'would not walk in my statutes,' echoing the language of rejecting God's judgments.
- Leviticus 26:14-17 (thematic): God recounts Israel's failure to keep his statutes and the ensuing punishments—same theme of rejecting commandments and suffering consequences.
- Exodus 31:14-15 (allusion): Explicit law concerning the Sabbath and the severity of profaning it; Ezekiel's charge that they 'profaned my sabbaths' alludes to this Sabbath legislation.
- Psalm 106:34-39 (thematic): Psalm narrator condemns Israel for not keeping God's statutes and for idolatry—linking refusal of statutes, defilement, and following idols as in Ezekiel 20:16.
- Jeremiah 17:19-27 (thematic): Prophetic warning about honoring the Sabbath or facing exile; connects Sabbath profanation with covenant unfaithfulness and punishment, echoing Ezekiel's concern.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because they rejected my ordinances and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
- Because they rejected my ordinances and did not walk in my statutes, and they profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
Eze.20.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותחס: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- משחתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- כלה: ADV
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:14 (allusion): God 'repents' or relents from the harm he intended against Israel after intercession—parallel to withholding full destruction in the wilderness.
- Numbers 14:20 (thematic): God pardons Israel following Moses’ plea, showing divine restraint from executing total judgment on the people.
- Psalm 78:38 (verbal): Uses very similar language about God’s compassion and not destroying Israel in the wilderness—closely echoes the idea and wording of Ezek. 20:17.
- Psalm 106:45 (thematic): Recalls that God remembered his covenant and, in mercy, relented from full wrath—another poetic summary of God's sparing Israel.
- Ezekiel 20:14 (structural): Immediate internal parallel within the same chapter where God states he did not make a complete end of the people in the wilderness—directly related wording and context.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet my eye spared them from destruction, and I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.
- Yet my eye spared them from destruction; and I did not utterly consume them in the wilderness.
Eze.20.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- בניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחוקי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- תלכו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- משפטיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- אל: NEG
- תשמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,masc,pl
- ובגלוליהם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- אל: NEG
- תטמאו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:3 (verbal): Commands Israel not to follow the practices of the land (or their fathers/ancestors), similar prohibition against imitating foreign/ancestral customs and becoming defiled.
- Deuteronomy 12:29-31 (thematic): Warning not to be ensnared to follow the abominable practices and idols of the nations — parallels Ezekiel’s injunction against keeping fathers’ statutes and being defiled by idols.
- Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (thematic): An admonition to take care lest Israel corrupt themselves by making idols or imitating heavenly/foreign practices — resonates with Ezekiel’s call to reject ancestral/idolatrous customs.
- Ezekiel 20:8 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same chapter that recounts the people’s rebellion in the wilderness after being warned not to follow their fathers’ statutes, explaining why the prohibition is reiterated.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I said to their children in the wilderness, 'Walk not in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols;'
- And I said to their children in the wilderness, ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers; do not keep their ordinances, nor defile yourselves with their idols.’
Eze.20.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- בחקותי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,pss=1s
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- שמרו: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
Parallels
- Lev.18.4 (verbal): Near-verbatim legal formula: 'You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes... I am the LORD your God'—same imperative to walk/observe the divine statutes.
- Lev.20.7-8 (verbal): Same hortatory pattern: consecrate yourselves, for I am the LORD your God; keep my statutes and do them—links holiness language with obedience to statutes.
- Lev.19.37 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to keep God's rules and statutes and the identification 'I am the LORD'—another close legal parallel in the holiness code.
- Deut.5.33 (thematic): Commands Israel to 'walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live'—thematic parallel stressing walking in God's ways and obedience to his commands.
Alternative generated candidates
- but say to them, 'I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them.'
- I am the LORD your God: walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances and do them.
Eze.20.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- שבתותי: NOUN,f,pl,pr
- קדשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאות: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וביניכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- לדעת: VERB,qal,inf,-,-,-
- כי: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 31:13 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language — keeping/halowing the Sabbaths as a sign between God and Israel so they may know I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
- Exodus 31:16-17 (verbal): Continues the same argument: Israel keeps the Sabbath as an everlasting sign between God and the people, linking Sabbath observance with covenant identity and God’s sanctifying presence.
- Leviticus 19:30 (allusion): Commands keeping the Sabbaths and reverencing the sanctuary, closing with the formula 'I am the LORD,' echoing the motive/religious identity language of Ezekiel 20:20.
- Leviticus 26:2 (allusion): Repeats the injunction to keep God's Sabbaths and reverence his sanctuary with the concluding declaration 'I am the LORD,' reinforcing Sabbath as marker of relationship with God.
- Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (thematic): Reiterates the Sabbath command in the Decalogue and gives a different rationale (remembrance of slavery and God’s deliverance) but parallels Ezekiel in framing Sabbath observance as central to Israel’s identity and relationship with Yahweh.
Alternative generated candidates
- Sanctify my Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I the LORD your God am holy.
- And hallow my Sabbaths; they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.
Eze.20.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הבנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בחקותי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,pss=1s
- לא: PART_NEG
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמרו: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- האדם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שבתותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1,sg
- חללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לשפך: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- חמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לכלות: VERB,qal,inf
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:13 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same speech repeating the language of rebellion, failure to walk in God's statutes and profaning the Sabbaths, echoing the same charge and consequence.
- Exodus 31:14–15 (thematic): Commands about keeping the Sabbath and the severe penalty for profaning it; connects the profanation of Sabbaths with divine judgment.
- Numbers 15:30–31 (thematic): Declares that a person who acts defiantly (willfully sins) and thus profanes God's name must be cut off—paralleling the link between willful rebellion, Sabbath/profane offenses, and punishment.
- Deuteronomy 9:7–8 (allusion): Moses recalls Israel's rebellion at Horeb and how their disobedience provoked God’s anger in the wilderness—background for Ezekiel’s account of wrath spent in the wilderness.
- Psalm 78:40–41 (thematic): Psalm recounts Israel’s repeated rebellion, forgetting God’s works and provoking His wrath; echoes the theme of covenant infidelity leading to divine anger.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes nor keep my ordinances, which, if a man does them, he shall live by them; and they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them to consume them in the wilderness.
- But the sons rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes nor keep my ordinances to do them—‘If a man does them, he shall live by them’—and they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them to consume them in the wilderness.
Eze.20.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והשבתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,n,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ואעש: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- החל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוצאתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- לעיניהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:14 (verbal): Near-duplicate formulation earlier in the same speech: God says he withdrew his hand and acted ‘for my name’s sake’ so that his name would not be profaned before the nations.
- Ezekiel 36:22-23 (thematic): God declares he will act not for Israel’s sake but for the sake of his holy name, so that the nations may know and fear him—same motive of divine action for God’s reputation.
- Isaiah 48:11 (verbal): God insists he will act ‘for my own sake’ and will not allow his name to be profaned, echoing the concern for divine honor before the nations.
- Psalm 106:8 (thematic): Recalls the theme that God saved Israel ‘for his name’s sake,’ linking deliverance with preserving God’s reputation and making his power known.
- Jeremiah 14:7 (thematic): A communal plea that God act despite Israel’s sin ‘for your name’s sake,’ reflecting the prophetic motif of seeking divine preservation to uphold God’s honor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and acted for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
- But I withdrew my hand and acted for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Eze.20.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- נשאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להפיץ: VERB,hif,inf
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולזרות: CONJ+VERB,hif,inf
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- בארצות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 26:33 (verbal): God explicitly says he will 'scatter you among the nations,' language and theme nearly identical—divine judgment resulting in dispersion.
- Deuteronomy 28:64 (verbal): Part of the covenant curses: the LORD will 'scatter you among all peoples'—same covenantal motif of exile and dispersion.
- Jeremiah 9:16 (verbal): Prophetic declaration that God will 'scatter' the people among nations they do not know—echoes the wilderness-dispersal theme.
- 2 Kings 17:6 (structural): Historical narration of Israel's exile to Assyria—an actual fulfillment of the prophetic promise to be carried off and dispersed among nations.
- Ezekiel 12:15 (verbal): In the same book the prophet uses parallel wording about scattering the people among the nations—an internal reiteration of the theme and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover I lifted up my hand to scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the lands,
- Also I lifted up my hand to scatter them among the nations and to disperse them through the countries.
Eze.20.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יען: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- לא: PART_NEG
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וחקותי: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,1s
- מאסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- שבתותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- חללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואחרי: CONJ
- גלולי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אבותם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עיניהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:13 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: Israel 'despised my judgments' and 'walked not in my statutes'—repeating the language and charge about profaning the Sabbaths and following idols.
- Exodus 20:8-11 (quotation): The fourth commandment establishes the Sabbath as God’s statute and sign; Ezekiel's rebuke for profaning the sabbaths echoes this Torah injunction.
- Leviticus 26:34-35 (thematic): Leviticus warns that the land will keep its sabbaths when Israel is driven into exile because they profaned God's sabbaths—directly related to Ezekiel’s linking of Sabbath profanation and exile.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (thematic): Royal historiography summary of Israel’s sin: they transgressed statutes, served other gods, and were removed from the land—parallels Ezekiel’s charge that ignoring statutes and worshiping ancestral idols led to judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- because they had not executed my ordinances, but had despised my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths; and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
- Because they had not done my judgments, but had despised my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes went after the idols of their fathers.
Eze.20.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- חקים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- טובים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ומשפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Romans 1:24-28 (thematic): Paul describes God 'giving them up' to sinful passions and a debased mind as a judicial act—parallel to Ezekiel's language of God giving 'statutes that were not good' as part of divine judgment/abandonment.
- Jeremiah 32:35 (verbal): Jeremiah condemns making sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—language and concern echoed in Ezekiel 20's account of polluted practices and 'passing through the fire' connected with the corrupt statutes.
- Leviticus 20:2-5 (structural): Leviticus legislates punishment for giving children to Molech and forbids such rites; provides cultic-legal background to Ezekiel's indictment of idolatrous statutes and sacrificial practices.
- Psalm 106:37-38 (thematic): The psalm recounts Israel sacrificing sons and daughters to idols and polluting the land—a recollection of the same corrupt practices and divine judgment criticized in Ezekiel 20:25–26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they should not live.
- Therefore I gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.
Eze.20.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואטמא: VERB,qal,impf,1,com,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- במתנותם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- בהעביר: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- כל: DET
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למען: PREP
- אשמם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- למען: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 20:25 (structural): Immediate context: verse 25-26 form a unit—God says he gave them 'statutes that were not good' and 'polluted them in their own gifts' (same verbal theme of defilement by offerings).
- Leviticus 18:21 (verbal): Prohibits giving children to Molech—language and concern about offerings/child-sacrifice parallels Ezekiel's charge that pagan rites involving the womb/firstborn defiled Israel.
- Leviticus 20:2–5 (thematic): Law prescribing capital punishment for anyone offering children to Molech; parallels Ezekiel's denunciation of child-sacrificing practices and divine judgment linked to such gifts.
- Jeremiah 7:31 (allusion): Condemns the building of Topheth to 'burn their sons and daughters'—an Old Testament prophetic denunciation of child sacrifice that echoes Ezekiel's critique and the motive of making Israel know YHWH.
- Psalm 106:37–38 (thematic): Speaks of Israel sacrificing sons and daughters to demons and shedding innocent blood—echoes Ezekiel's theme that their offerings (including child sacrifice) defiled them and brought guilt.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I profaned them by their offerings—causing every firstborn to pass through the fire—that I might bring them to desolation and make them guilty, that they might know that I am the LORD.
- And I defiled them by their gifts—making every firstborn that opens the womb pass through the fire—so that I might bring guilt upon them, that they might know that I am the LORD.
Eze.20.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- גדפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
- אבותיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- במעלם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מעל: PREP
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:20-23 (verbal): Uses language of Israel profaning/blaspheming God's name among the nations—directly parallels 'גדפו אותי' (they have profaned/blasphemed me) and the theme of ancestral dishonor of God.
- Ezekiel 20:16 (structural): Earlier verse in the same chapter recounts the fathers' rebellion and profaning of God's sabbaths/statutes—structurally parallel as part of the chapter's repeated indictment of ancestral treachery.
- Numbers 14:22 (thematic): God charges the generation with repeatedly provoking/tempting him and acting unfaithfully—themes of treachery and provocation against God echo Ezek. 20:27's accusation.
- Leviticus 26:30-31 (thematic): Describes turning to abominations, profaning sanctuaries and the resulting divine judgment—parallels the idea of Israel's acts that profane and betray God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore say to the house of Israel, Son of man, say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Yet in this your fathers have provoked me by their sin against me.
- Therefore speak to the house of Israel, son of man, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: Again your fathers have blasphemed me by their treachery against me.’”
Eze.20.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואביאם: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- גבעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבת: ADJ,f,sg
- ויזבחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- זבחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,prsuf
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- כעס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קרבנם: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- ריח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ניחוחיהם: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf
- ויסיכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- נסכיהם: NOUN,m,pl,prsuf
Parallels
- Exodus 6:8 (verbal): Same promise-formula—God will bring the people into the land He swore/lifted up His hand to give to their ancestors; parallels the language of restoration and land-grant in Ezek. 20:28.
- Genesis 17:8 (allusion): Promise that the land will be given to Abraham’s offspring; Ezekiel’s bringing of the people into the promised land alludes to these patriarchal land promises.
- Deuteronomy 12:5-6 (structural): Speaks of the place the LORD will choose where Israel is to bring offerings and vows; relates thematically to Ezekiel’s depiction of sacrificial activity in the land (high places, offerings, libations).
- Hosea 4:13 (verbal): Describes sacrifice on mountain-tops and offerings on hills and under oaks and poplars—very close imagery to 'every high hill and every thick tree' where sacrifices are offered in Ezekiel 20:28.
- Ezekiel 11:17 (thematic): Within Ezekiel’s own restoration program: God will gather Israel from the nations and bring them into the land—parallels the promise and purpose of bringing them into the land in 20:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- For when I brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and there they offered their sacrifices and presented their offerings; there they poured out their drink offerings and placed their pleasing scent, and there they sprinkled their libations.
- When I brought them into the land for which I had lifted up my hand to give it to their fathers, they saw every high hill and every leafy tree, and there they offered their sacrifices; there they presented their offerings and put their sweet aromas there and poured out their libations.
Eze.20.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- שם: ADV
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- במה: PREP+PRON,interr
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Commands Israelites to destroy high places and centralize worship—frames high places (bamah) as illicit sites like the one Ezekiel names.
- 2 Kings 17:9-11 (thematic): Describes Israel setting up pillars and burning incense on every high hill; parallels the persistent use of high places and the prophetic critique in Ezekiel.
- Hosea 4:13 (verbal): Speaks of sacrificing on mountain tops and burning incense upon hills—uses the same imagery of worship on high places (bamah) found in Ezekiel.
- 1 Kings 11:7-8 (structural): Narrates the building of high places for foreign gods (Chemosh, Molech); shows how high places were established and named, analogous to the named 'Bamah' in Ezekiel.
- Exodus 34:13 (allusion): God's command to tear down the altars, break pillars and cut down Asherim—echoes the covenantal prohibition against high-place worship that Ezekiel indicts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I said to them, 'What is the high place to which you go?' Therefore that place was called High Place to this day.
- And he said to them, ‘What is this high place to which you are going?’ Therefore it has been called “Bamah” (High Place) to this day.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, on the tenth day of the fifth month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat before me. And the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD, Have you come to inquire of me? As I live, I will not be inquired of by you, says the Lord GOD.
Will you judge them? Declare to them, son of man, the abominations of their fathers. And say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day I chose Israel and lifted up my hand to the seed of the house of Jacob and made myself known to them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up my hand to them, saying, I am the LORD your God,
on that day I lifted up my hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands. And I said to them, Each man, cast away the detestable things from your eyes; do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt — I am the LORD your God. But they rebelled against me and would not hearken to me. None cast away the detestable things of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, I will pour out my wrath upon them and consume my anger against them in the land of Egypt.
Yet for my name's sake I acted, so that I would not profane my name in the sight of the nations among whom they were, before whom I had made myself known to them; and I brought them out from the land of Egypt. And I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
I gave them my statutes and made known to them my ordinances — the person who does them shall live by them.
Also I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.
Yet the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not walk in my statutes and they despised my ordinances, which a man who does them shall live by, and they profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them to consume them in the wilderness. But I acted for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Moreover I lifted up my hand against them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands.
Because they rejected my judgments and did not walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths — for their hearts went after their idols —
I had pity on them and refrained; I did not make a full end of them in the wilderness. And I said to their children in the wilderness, Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers; do not obey their ordinances, and do not defile yourselves with their idols.
I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, keep my ordinances and do them. And hallow my Sabbaths; they shall be a sign between me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.
Yet the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes, nor did they keep my ordinances to do them. They profaned my Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out my wrath on them to consume them in the wilderness.
Nevertheless I withdrew my hand and acted for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.
Moreover I lifted up my hand in the wilderness to scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries.
Because they had not done my judgments, but had despised my statutes and profaned my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after the idols of their fathers,
therefore I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live. And I defiled them by their gifts, by causing every firstborn to pass through the fire; I laid the guilt of them upon them, that they might know that I am the LORD.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, Son of man, Thus says the Lord GOD: Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, by their transgression against me.
When I brought them into the land which I had lifted up my hand to give to them, they saw every high hill and every leafy tree and there they offered their sacrifices; they there presented their offerings, and there they put the pleasing odor of their sacrifices, and poured out their drink offerings.
Then I said to them, What is the high place to which you go? Therefore its name was called High Place to this day.