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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 20:29 So I asked them: 'What is this high place to which you go?' (And to this day it is called Bamah.)</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/20-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/26_Ezk_20_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 20:29 - Israel's Rebellion in the Land" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So I asked them: 'What is this high place to which you go?' 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And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then I said to them, ‘What <i>is</i> this high place to which you go?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.” ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you go?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then I said to them, &#8216What is the high place to which you go?&#8217 So its name is called Bamah to this day."&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you go?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you are going?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to them, ‘What is the high place to which you go?’ So the name of it is called Bamah (High Place) to this day.”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I asked them, “What is this high place you are going to? ” And it is still called Bamah today.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I asked them: What is this high place you are going to? And it is called High Place to this day.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I asked them where they went to worship those gods, and they answered, "At the local shrines." And those places of worship are still called shrines. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then I asked them, "What is this worship site you're going to?' " (So it is still called 'worship site' today.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I asked them: What are these high places where you go? So they have been called 'High Places' ever since. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So I asked them, 'What is the high place to which you're going?' That's why the name of the place has been called Bamah to this day."'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So I said to them, What is this high place you go to?'" (So it is called "High Place" to this day.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to them, 'What does the high place where you go mean?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then I said to them, What is the high place to which ye go? and its name is called Bamah to this day.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to them, ‘What does the high place where you go mean?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’ <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 say to them: What [is] the high place to where you are going in?” And its name is called “High Place” to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I say unto them: What is the high place whither ye are going in? And its name is called 'high place' to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And saying to them, What the height where ye go there? And its name will be called Height, even to this day.<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 said to them: What meaneth the high place to which you go? and the name thereof was called High-place even to this day. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I said to them, ‘What is exalted about the place to which you go?’ And yet its name is called ‘Exalted,’ even to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So I said to them, “What is this high place to which you go?” Thus its name became “high place” even to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />(I said to them, What is the high place to which you go? So it is called Bamah to this day.)<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to them, What is the shrine to which you go? And its name is called Shrine of Idols to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I said to them: what is Prakha (the idol shrine) to which you come? And its name is called Prakha (the idol shrine) until today<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then I said unto them: What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I said to them, What is Abama, that ye go in thither? and they called its mane Abama, until this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/20-29.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=5350" 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 Land</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wā·’ō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">So I asked them:</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/1116.htm" title="1116: hab·bā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A high place. From an unused root; an elevation.">is this high place</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.">to which</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: hab·bā·’îm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">go?’</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">(And to</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: hay·yō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·qā·rê (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">it is called</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·māh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1117.htm" title="1117: bā·māh (N-fs) -- A high place (for idols) in Isr. The same as bamah; Bamah, a place in Palestine.">Bamah.)</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations?…<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="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10-11</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6</a></span><br />Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a></span><br />They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-3</a></span><br />Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-5.htm">Isaiah 57:5-7</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? / Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? / On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-4.htm">2 Chronicles 28:4</a></span><br />And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a></span><br />I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-28.htm">Psalm 106:28</a></span><br />They yoked themselves to Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Numbers 25:1-3</a></span><br />While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, / who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. / So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42-43</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9</a></span><br />They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then I said to them, What is the high place whereunto you go? And the name whereof is called Bamah to this day.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-24.htm">Ezekiel 16:24,25,31</a></b></br> <i>That</i> thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm">High</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/46-28.htm">Means</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-29.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-7.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-21.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-9.htm">Whereunto</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-16.htm">Whither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/20-40.htm">High</a> <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm">Means</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-29.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-21.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-15.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-25.htm">Whereunto</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-16.htm">Whither</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>So I asked them:</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct communication from God through the prophet Ezekiel to the Israelites. It reflects God's inquiry into the actions of His people, highlighting His awareness and concern over their spiritual state. This questioning style is reminiscent of God's interactions with humanity throughout Scripture, such as His questions to Adam and Eve in <a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9</a>, emphasizing accountability and the need for self-reflection.<p><b>‘What is this high place to which you go?’</b><br>High places were elevated sites often used for worship in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures. These locations were frequently associated with idolatrous practices, contrary to the worship of Yahweh prescribed in the Law (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2-4</a>). The Israelites' use of high places signifies a departure from true worship, reflecting a syncretism with Canaanite religious practices. This question underscores God's disapproval of their idolatry and serves as a call to repentance.<p><b>(And to this day it is called Bamah.)</b><br>The term "Bamah" means "high place" in Hebrew, and its continued use indicates the lasting impact of these idolatrous practices on the culture and memory of the people. This parenthetical note suggests that the name and its associated practices persisted even after the initial rebuke, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of idolatry. The enduring name serves as a reminder of Israel's spiritual infidelity, much like other biblical names and places that carry historical and spiritual significance, such as Bethel (<a href="/genesis/28-19.htm">Genesis 28:19</a>) and its association with Jacob's encounter with God.<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, often involving judgment and calls for repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are being addressed in this passage. They have a history of turning away from God and worshiping idols.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bamah.htm">Bamah</a></b><br>A Hebrew term meaning "high place," often associated with pagan worship sites where the Israelites engaged in idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/high_places.htm">High Places</a></b><br>Locations often on elevated ground where the Israelites and other ancient Near Eastern peoples would worship deities other than Yahweh.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_inquiry.htm">God's Inquiry</a></b><br>God questions the Israelites about their idolatrous practices, highlighting their disobedience and the ongoing issue of idol worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_idolatry.htm">Understanding Idolatry</a></b><br>Recognize that idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Reflect on modern "high places" that may distract us from true worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_repentance.htm">God's Call to Repentance</a></b><br>God consistently calls His people to turn away from idolatry and return to Him. This is a reminder of His grace and desire for a relationship with us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>The Israelites' use of high places shows how easily God's people can compromise their faith. We must be vigilant in maintaining our devotion to God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_relevance.htm">Historical Context and Relevance</a></b><br>Understanding the historical context of high places helps us see the seriousness of idolatry in the biblical account and its relevance today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine your life for any "high places" that may have crept in, and take steps to remove them, prioritizing your relationship with God.<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/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_41_with_1_kings_6.htm">How can Ezekiel 41's instructions be reconciled with the different layout presented for Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings 6?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_cycles_in_ezekiel_20.htm">Historically and archaeologically, is there evidence to support the repeated cycles of rebellion and divine judgment described throughout Ezekiel 20?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_jeroboam's_golden_calves.htm">What archaeological evidence supports or questions the existence of Jeroboam's golden calves in 1 Kings 12:28?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_ezekiel_41_1-5_measurements_match_any_temple.htm">How do the specific measurements in Ezekiel 41 (particularly verses 1-5) align with any known historical or archaeological temple structure?</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>(29) <span class= "bld">Is called Bamah.--</span>Bamah itself means <span class= "ital">high place. </span>Some have fancied that the word is derived from the two words "go" and "where," and therefore that it contains a play upon the question in the first part of the verse; but this etymology must be considered fanciful.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What is</span> <span class="cmt_word">the high place</span>, etc.? <span class="cmt_word">Bamah,</span> in the plural <span class="accented">Bamoth</span>, was the Hebrew for "high place." At first it was applied to the hill on which some local sanctuary stood (<a href="/1_samuel/9-12.htm">1 Samuel 9:12</a>; <a href="/1_kings/3-4.htm">1 Kings 3:4</a>), but was gradually extended, after the building of the temple as the one appointed sanctuary, to other places which were looked upon as sacred, and which became the scenes of an idolatrous and forbidden worship. Ezekiel emphasizes his scorn by a conjectural derivation of the word, as if derived from the two words <span class="accented">ba</span> ("go") and <span class="accented">mah</span> ("whither"); <span class="accented">or</span>, perhaps, <span class="accented">What comes?</span> (comp. <a href="/exodus/16-15.htm">Exodus 16:15</a> for a parallel derivation of the word <span class="accented">marones</span>). Taking the words in their ordinary sense, they seem to express only a slight degree of contempt. "What, then, is the place to which you go?" - what is the "whither" to which it leads? But I incline (with Ewald and Smend) to see in the word "go into" the meaning which it has in <a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2</a> and Genesis 19:31, and elsewhere, as a euphemism for sexual union. So later the word "Bamah" becomes a witness that those who worship in the high place go there (as in ver. 30) to commit whoredom literally and spiritually. Its name showed that it was what I have called "a chapel of prostitution" (ch. 16:24, 25). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/20-29.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">So I asked them:</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֹמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is this high place</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1116.htm">Strong's 1116: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to which</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</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">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go?’</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּאִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">(And to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">day</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיּ֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is called</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקָּרֵ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bamah.)</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(bā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1117.htm">Strong's 1117: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bamah -- a high place (for idols) in Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/20-29.htm">Ezekiel 20:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/20-29.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:29 Then I said to them What means (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/20-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/20-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 20:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 20:30" /></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>