Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

EZEKIEL 20:27KJV
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Ezekiel 20:27 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 20:27 mean?

Ezekiel 20:27 records God instructing Ezekiel to tell the people of Israel that their ancestors have insulted and wronged Him by their actions. The verse highlights that Israel’s forefathers committed serious offenses against God, which He describes as blasphemy and trespass.

In this verse, God is speaking to Ezekiel, calling him “son of man,” and telling him to deliver a message to the “house of Israel.” The context is a recounting of Israel’s long history of rebellion and unfaithfulness toward God. God accuses the ancestors of the current generation of not only disobeying Him but also showing deep disrespect, which sets the stage for the warnings and lessons that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 20:27

  • “Blasphemed” (נָאָץ, na’atz): This word means to despise, scorn, or treat with contempt. Here, it shows that Israel’s ancestors did not just break rules but showed a deep disrespect for God Himself.
  • “Committed” (מָעַל, ma’al) and “trespass” (מַעַל, ma’al): Both words come from the same root and refer to acting unfaithfully or betraying trust. The repetition emphasizes the seriousness of their betrayal, not just as a mistake but as a breach of relationship.

Why Ezekiel 20:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the problem is not just with the current generation but has deep roots in Israel’s history, showing a pattern of disrespect and betrayal toward God.
  • The language used highlights that the offenses were personal and relational, not just legal violations, which helps explain the depth of God’s response in the rest of the chapter.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see why God’s warnings and judgments are so strong in Ezekiel 20, as they are responses to a long-standing pattern, not a single incident.

Where else these words appear

“blasphemed” Hebrew H1442 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 15:30 But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
  • 2 Kings 19:22 Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
  • Isaiah 37:6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.

“trespass” Hebrew H4604 · used in 29 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • Joshua 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
  • Ezra 9:2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.

“committed” Hebrew H4603 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 5:15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 2:7 And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.
  • Ezra 10:2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.