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Israel’s Rebellion in the Land
Ezekiel 20:27–32 is a direct message from the Lord Yahweh to the house of Israel. It names ways Israel rebelled in the land and shows that wanting to worship like other nations was a serious rejection of him.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this passage, Ezekiel is told to speak to the house of Israel. The message looks back to what their fathers did after being brought into the land, then applies the same charges to the present hearers. The passage stays focused on polluted worship, idols and the desire to be like surrounding nations.
Ezekiel 20:27–32Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the Lord sees false worship as rebellion against him, and he rejects Israel’s plan to serve idols like the nations.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A charge against the fathersThe message begins with a formal accusation. Israel’s fathers had “blasphemed” the Lord and committed “a trespass” against him.
Explanation
The message begins with a formal accusation. Israel’s fathers had “blasphemed” the Lord and committed “a trespass” against him. These words show more than a mistake. The passage describes their actions as serious unfaithfulness against the God who spoke to them and had claims on their worship.
02Worship on high hills and under thick treesAfter the Lord brought them into the land he had sworn to give, they used “every high hill and every thick tree” as places for sacrifices and offerings.
Explanation
After the Lord brought them into the land he had sworn to give, they used “every high hill and every thick tree” as places for sacrifices and offerings. The text presents these acts as provoking worship. Even pleasant aroma and drink offerings, if directed wrongly, are part of their rebellion.
03The high place called BamahThe Lord asks, “What does the high place where you go mean?” The name “Bamah” is then attached to it.
Explanation
The Lord asks, “What does the high place where you go mean?” The name “Bamah” is then attached to it. In this passage, the key point is that Israel kept going to a named high place for worship that the Lord was exposing and questioning, rather than approving.
04Present pollution and refused inquiryThe accusation moves from the fathers to the current house of Israel. They are asked if they pollute themselves in the same way and “play the prostitute” after abominations.
Explanation
The accusation moves from the fathers to the current house of Israel. They are asked if they pollute themselves in the same way and “play the prostitute” after abominations. Their gifts, idols and making sons pass through the fire show ongoing defilement, so the Lord says he will not be inquired of by them.
05A rejected plan to be like the nationsThe final verse reveals their intention. They wanted to be “as the nations” and serve “wood and stone”.
Explanation
The final verse reveals their intention. They wanted to be “as the nations” and serve “wood and stone”. The Lord declares, “That which comes into your mind will not be at all.” The passage ends by opposing their plan to exchange the Lord for the worship practised by surrounding peoples.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions in verses 28–29 show that Israel’s worship in the land was unacceptable to the Lord?
Look for the places they chose and the offerings they made there, then notice that the Lord questions the meaning of that high place.
02How does the passage connect the behaviour of the fathers with the present house of Israel?
Compare the charge against “your fathers” with the later questions that ask whether the present people are polluting themselves in the same way.
03What does verse 32 say Israel wanted, and what does the Lord say about that plan?
State both parts clearly: their desire to be like the nations and the Lord’s direct answer to that desire.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ezekiel 20:27–32
27“Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Moreover, in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28For when I had brought them into the land which I swore to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering. There they also made their pleasant aroma, and there they poured out their drink offerings.
29Then I said to them, ‘What does the high place where you go mean?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.” ’
30“Therefore tell the house of Israel, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Do you pollute yourselves in the way of your fathers? Do you play the prostitute after their abominations?
31When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will not be inquired of by you!
32“ ‘ “That which comes into your mind will not be at all, in that you say, ‘We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.’