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.

Where else these words appear

“thick” Hebrew H5687 · used in 4 verses

  • Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
  • Nehemiah 8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
  • Ezekiel 6:13 Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.

“out” Hebrew H5258 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

“provocation” Hebrew H3708 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
  • Job 6:2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
  • Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

“sweet” Hebrew H5207 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
  • Leviticus 6:21 In a pan it shall be made with oil; and when it is baken, thou shalt bring it in: and the baken pieces of the meat offering shalt thou offer for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
  • Numbers 28:2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.