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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 20:26 And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts--the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire--so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/20-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/26_Ezk_20_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 20:26 - Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts--the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire--so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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I did it that they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through <i>the fire</i> all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their ritual gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through <i>the fire,</i> that I might make them desolate and that they might know that I am the LORD.” ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they made all their firstborn pass through <i>the fire</i> so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the LORD.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through the fire so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the LORD."&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their first-born to pass through <i>the fire</i> so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am the LORD.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their gifts, in that they caused all their firstborn to pass through <i>the fire</i> so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know that I am Yahweh.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and I pronounced them unclean because of their offerings [to their idols], in that they made all their firstborn pass through <i>the fire</i> [as pagan sacrifices], so that I might make them desolate, in order that they might know [without any doubt] that I am the LORD.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they sacrificed every firstborn in the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am the LORD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When they made every firstborn pass through the fire, I defiled them through their gifts in order to devastate them so they would know that I am Yahweh.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and I let them offer me unacceptable sacrifices, including their first-born sons. I did this to horrify them and to let them know that I, the LORD, was punishing them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I let them dishonor themselves when they sacrificed all their firstborn sons as gifts [to their false gods]. I terrified them so that they would know that I am the LORD.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I let them defile themselves with their own offerings, and I let them sacrifice their first-born sons. This was to punish them and show them that I am the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I made them unclean because of their offerings, so they made all their firstborn to pass through the fire, so that I could make them astonished. Then they'll know that I am the LORD."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts?the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire?so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I declared them to be defiled because of their sacrifices--they caused all their first born to pass through the fire--so that I would devastate them, so that they will know that I am the LORD.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD."'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all the first-born, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused all that opens the womb to pass through the fire, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am Yahweh.”’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I defile them by their own gifts, "" By causing every opener of a womb to pass away, "" So that I make them desolate, "" So that they know that I [am] YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I defile them by their own gifts, By causing to pass away every opener of a womb, So that I make them desolate, So that they know that I am Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I will defile them in their gifts in causing to pass through all bursting open the womb, so that I shall make them desolate, that they shall know that I am Jehovah.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I polluted them in their own gifts, when they offered all that opened the womb, for their offences: and they shall know that I am the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I defiled them by their own gifts, when they offered everything that opened the womb, because of their offenses. And they shall know that I am the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I let them become defiled by their offerings, by having them make a fiery offering of every womb’s firstborn, in order to ruin them so they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I defiled them through their very gifts, in their offering up all their firstborn, in order that I might horrify them, so that they might know that I am the LORD.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I let them defile themselves through their own gifts, when they offered their first-born as sacrifices: that I might destroy them and that they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I defiled them in their gifts when they were offering the first born ones, and I shall destroy them, and they shall know that I AM LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they set apart all that openeth the womb, that I might destroy them, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I will defile them by their <i>own</i> decrees, when I pass through upon every one that opens the womb, that I may destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=5302" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2930.htm" title="2930: wā·’ă·ṭam·mê (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To be or become unclean. A primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense.">And I pronounced them unclean</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4979.htm" title="4979: bə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯām (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A gift. Feminine of mattan; a present; specifically, a sacrificial offering, a bribe.">through their gifts—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: bə·ha·‘ă·ḇîr (Prep-b:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">the sacrifice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">of every</a> <a href="/hebrew/6363.htm" title="6363: pe·ṭer (N-msc) -- That which separates or first opens. Or pitrah; from patar; a fissure, i.e. firstling.">firstborn in the fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/7356.htm" title="7356: rā·ḥam (N-ms) -- Compassion. From racham; compassion; by extension, the womb; by implication, a maiden.">—</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/8074.htm" title="8074: ’ă·šim·mêm (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs:: 3mp) -- To be desolated or appalled. A primitive root; to stun, i.e. Devastate or stupefy.">I might devastate them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">in order</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yê·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">they would know</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">am the LORD.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a></span><br />You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a></span><br />You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm">2 Kings 21:6</a></span><br />He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a></span><br />They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/32-35.htm">Jeremiah 32:35</a></span><br />They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37-38</a></span><br />They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5</a></span><br />who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Micah 6:7</a></span><br />Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-28</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-5.htm">1 Corinthians 5:5</a></span><br />hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-11.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:11-12</a></span><br />For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm">1 Timothy 4:2</a></span><br />influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that opens the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">polluted</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm">Ezekiel 20:31</a></b></br> For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? <i>As</i> I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17</a></b></br> O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, <i>and</i> hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Romans 11:7-10</a></b></br> What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded … </p><p class="hdg">in that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20,21</a></b></br> Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. <i>Is this</i> of thy whoredoms a small matter, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a></b></br> And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through <i>the fire</i> to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm">2 Kings 17:17</a></b></br> And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.</p><p class="hdg">all that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/13-12.htm">Exodus 13:12</a></b></br> That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males <i>shall be</i> the LORD'S.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/2-23.htm">Luke 2:23</a></b></br> (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)</p><p class="hdg">to the end</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/6-7.htm">Ezekiel 6:7</a></b></br> And the slain shall fall in the midst of you, and ye shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/16-21.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-11.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-14.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-18.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-7.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-16.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-17.htm">End</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-2.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-14.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-55.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-33.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-27.htm">Horror</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-51.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-19.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-19.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Openeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-22.htm">Opens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-54.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-24.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-9.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-22.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-18.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-37.htm">Caused</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-23.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-7.htm">Child</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Defile</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Defiled</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-3.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-31.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-29.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-25.htm">End</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-4.htm">Fill</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-40.htm">First</a> <a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/micah/6-7.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-33.htm">Horror</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Making</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-27.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-22.htm">Openeth</a> <a href="/micah/2-13.htm">Opens</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/daniel/7-22.htm">Pronounced</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/hosea/9-11.htm">Womb</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-1.htm">God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-4.htm">He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-19.htm">in the desert</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">and in the land</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-33.htm">He promises to gather them by the Gospel</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/20-45.htm">Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—</b><br>This phrase refers to the Israelites' practice of offering gifts that were not acceptable to God, specifically those that involved idolatrous practices. In the context of Ezekiel, the Israelites had adopted pagan customs, including the worship of foreign gods, which often involved rituals that were detestable to the Lord. The term "unclean" signifies a state of impurity that separates the people from God, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/11-44.htm">Leviticus 11:44-45</a>, where God calls His people to be holy and separate from the practices of surrounding nations. The gifts mentioned here are not just physical offerings but represent the people's hearts and intentions, which had strayed from God's commandments.<p><b>the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—</b><br>This phrase highlights the horrific practice of child sacrifice, which was prevalent among some of the pagan cultures surrounding Israel, such as the worship of Molech. This practice is explicitly condemned in <a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a> and <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>. The sacrifice of the firstborn was a perversion of the concept of dedicating the firstborn to God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Exodus 13:2</a>, where God commands the consecration of the firstborn to Him. Instead of dedicating their children to the Lord in a manner consistent with His laws, the Israelites were engaging in abominable practices that defiled them and provoked God's wrath.<p><b>so that I might devastate them,</b><br>This phrase indicates the consequence of the Israelites' disobedience and idolatry. God's judgment is portrayed as a means of devastation, which serves as a corrective measure. The devastation is not merely punitive but is intended to bring the people to a realization of their sin and the seriousness of turning away from God. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's discipline as a form of love and correction, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/12-6.htm">Hebrews 12:6</a>, where the Lord disciplines those He loves.<p><b>in order that they would know that I am the LORD.</b><br>The ultimate purpose of God's actions, including His judgments, is to bring His people to the knowledge of Him as the one true God. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where knowing the Lord is central to their identity and purpose. Throughout the book of Ezekiel, this refrain is repeated to emphasize that God's actions, whether in blessing or judgment, are designed to reveal His character and sovereignty. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, calling the people to repentance and renewed faithfulness. The phrase also points forward to the New Covenant, where knowing the Lord is a promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/31-34.htm">Jeremiah 31:34</a> and <a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet during the Babylonian exile, tasked with delivering God's messages to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were in rebellion and idolatry, leading to their exile.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon as a consequence of their disobedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sacrifice_of_the_firstborn.htm">Sacrifice of the Firstborn</a></b><br>A practice that had become corrupted among the Israelites, leading to God's judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who desires His people to know Him and follow His commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_judgment.htm">Understanding God's Judgment</a></b><br>God's pronouncement of uncleanness is a form of judgment meant to bring awareness of sin and lead to repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry leads to moral and spiritual corruption, distancing people from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_desire_for_relationship.htm">God's Desire for Relationship</a></b><br>Despite judgment, God's ultimate goal is for His people to know Him and return to a right relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a></b><br>Obedience to God's commands is crucial to maintaining a covenant relationship with Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_the_past.htm">Learning from the Past</a></b><br>Reflecting on Israel's history helps us understand the importance of faithfulness and the dangers of straying from God's ways.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_auricular_confession.htm">What does having everything for life and godliness mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_20_25_align_with_god's_justice.htm">Ezekiel 20:25 mentions God giving Israel “statutes that were not good”; how does this align with the concept of a just and unchanging God elsewhere in Scripture? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_7_16_conflict_with_matthew_6_33.htm">In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being 'overly righteous' is discouraged--doesn't this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">To pass through the fire.</span>--The word "fire" here, as in <a href="/ezekiel/16-21.htm" title="That you have slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?">Ezekiel 16:21</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm" title="That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery, and have also caused their sons, whom they bore to me, to pass for them through the fire, to devour them.">Ezekiel 23:37</a>, is not in the original, but is rightly supplied from <a href="/ezekiel/20-31.htm" title="For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols, even to this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, said the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.">Ezekiel 20:31</a>. The custom referred to was probably that of consecrating their seed to Moloch, expressly forbidden in <a href="/context/leviticus/20-1.htm" title="And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,">Leviticus 20:1-5</a>. (Comp. also <a href="/acts/7-43.htm" title="Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.">Acts 7:43</a>.) The causing children to pass through the fire continued a common sin even to the later days of the monarchy (<a href="/2_kings/17-17.htm" title="And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.">2Kings 17:17</a>; <a href="/2_kings/21-6.htm" title="And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.">2Kings 21:6</a>).<span class= "bld"> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I polluted them through their own gifts</span>. The noun includes all forms of blessing bestowed on Israel - its corn and wine and oil (see <a href="/ezekiel/16-19.htm">Ezekiel 16:19, 20</a>), even its sons and daughters, the fruit of the womb, as well as the increase of the earth. (For the prevalence of Moloch worship, and for the phrase, "pass through," see notes on Ezekiel 16:21.) The sins were to bring desolation as their punishment, and then men would learn to know Jehovah as indeed he is. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And I pronounced them unclean</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֲטַמֵּ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ă·ṭam·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2930.htm">Strong's 2930: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become unclean</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through their gifts—</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּמַתְּנוֹתָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mat·tə·nō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4979.htm">Strong's 4979: </a> </span><span class="str2">A present, a sacrificial offering, a bribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sacrifice</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַעֲבִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ha·‘ă·ḇîr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of every</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">firstborn {in the fire}—</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֣טֶר</span> <span class="translit">(pe·ṭer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6363.htm">Strong's 6363: </a> </span><span class="str2">That which separates or first opens</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֣עַן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I might devastate them,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשִׁמֵּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šim·mêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8074.htm">Strong's 8074: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stun, devastate, stupefy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in order that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would know</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵֽדְע֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">am the LORD.’</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/20-26.htm">Ezekiel 20:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/20-26.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:26 And I polluted them in their own (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/20-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:27" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>