For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.

EZEKIEL 20:28KJV
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Ezekiel 20:28 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 20:28 mean?

Ezekiel 20:28 describes how, after God brought the Israelites into the land He promised them, they began to worship at pagan sites on high hills and under thick trees, offering sacrifices and offerings that provoked God. The verse highlights the people's unfaithfulness by turning to idol worship in the very land God gave them.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the elders of Israel, recounting their ancestors' actions after entering the promised land. The verse points out that instead of remaining loyal to God, the people were drawn to the worship practices of the nations around them, especially at places considered sacred in local pagan religions. This sets the stage for God's case against Israel's repeated disobedience.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 20:28

  • "High" (רָם, ram) and "hill" (גִּבְעָה, giv‘ah): These words together point to the common ancient practice of worshiping on elevated places, which were often associated with idol worship rather than the worship of Israel’s God.
  • "Thick" (עָבֵה, ‘aveh) and "trees" (עֵץ, ‘ets): This phrase refers to groves or wooded areas, which were also typical sites for pagan rituals. The detail emphasizes that the people sought out these specific locations for their offerings.
  • "Provocation" (כַּעַס, ka‘as): This word means something that causes anger or offense. Here, it highlights that their offerings were not just misplaced but actually stirred up God’s anger.

Why Ezekiel 20:28 matters

  • Ezekiel 20:28 clarifies that the Israelites’ idolatry was not accidental or occasional, but involved deliberate use of specific pagan sites and rituals, showing a deep pattern of unfaithfulness.
  • The verse connects the people’s actions to the wider story of God’s promises and their response, helping readers see the contrast between God’s faithfulness and Israel’s repeated disobedience.
  • This verse helps explain why God, through Ezekiel, is confronting the elders: it roots their current troubles in a long history of turning away from God even after receiving His blessings.