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.

EZEKIEL 20:26KJV
Know the Bible

Ezekiel 20:26 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 20:26 mean?

Ezekiel 20:26 says that God allowed the Israelites to become defiled by their own offerings, especially when they sacrificed their firstborn children by fire, so that they would become devastated and realize that He alone is the LORD. The verse describes a severe consequence for their actions, showing that their idolatrous practices led to their own ruin.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel, recalling their history of disobedience and idol worship. The situation is a review of Israel's repeated turning away from God, particularly through child sacrifice, which was a practice borrowed from surrounding nations. The verse emphasizes that God let them experience the results of their choices, not as approval, but as a way to bring them to a painful awareness of their need for Him.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 20:26

  • "polluted" (נָטַמֵּא, natamé): This word means to make unclean or defile. Here, it shows that their own religious acts, which they thought were offerings, actually made them impure.
  • "gifts" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): This word refers to offerings or gifts, especially those brought to God. In this context, it highlights that even their gifts became corrupted because of their wrong motives and actions.
  • "through" (עָבַר, avar): This verb means to pass over or through, used here for the ritual of passing children through fire—a reference to child sacrifice.
  • "openeth" (פֶּטֶר, peter) and "womb" (רֶחֶם, rechem): Together, these refer to the firstborn child. The verse points to the specific horror of sacrificing firstborn children, which was strictly forbidden in Israelite law.
  • "desolate" (שָׁמֵם, shamem): This word means to lay waste or devastate. It underlines the result of their actions—ruin and emptiness.
  • "know" (יָדַע, yada): This verb means to know deeply or recognize. The purpose of these consequences is for Israel to truly recognize God's identity and authority.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is God's personal name, emphasizing His unique identity as the God of Israel.

Why Ezekiel 20:26 matters

  • Ezekiel 20:26 clarifies that God did not command or approve of child sacrifice; instead, He allowed the people to follow their own destructive choices as a form of judgment.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of idolatry and how it leads to spiritual and physical devastation, not just for individuals but for the whole community.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel 20, where God reviews Israel's history to show that their suffering was the result of persistent rebellion, meant to bring them back to a true knowledge of Him.

Where else these words appear

“openeth” Hebrew H6363 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.
  • Exodus 13:15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
  • Numbers 3:12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

“gifts” Hebrew H4979 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 25:6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
  • Numbers 18:29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
  • Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

“womb” Hebrew H7356 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 43:14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
  • Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
  • Isaiah 46:3 Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:

“desolate” Hebrew H8074 · used in 87 verses

  • Leviticus 26:22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
  • Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 28:19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.