As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.

EZEKIEL 7:20KJV
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Ezekiel 7:20 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 7:20 mean?

Ezekiel 7:20 says that what was once beautiful and honored among the people—likely their temple treasures or sacred objects—became corrupted when they used these things to make idols and detestable images, so God decided to remove these things from them. The verse shows that what was meant for glory was turned into something offensive through idolatry, leading to its loss.

In this verse, the prophet Ezekiel is speaking God's message to the people of Jerusalem as they face coming judgment. The "beauty of his ornament" refers to something precious, probably the temple or its decorations, which the people misused by introducing idols. This verse highlights the seriousness of turning holy things into objects of worship, which led God to distance Himself and these treasures from the people.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 7:20

  • "beauty" (צְבִי, tsevi): This word often means something delightful or precious, emphasizing that what was lost was truly valued and attractive in the eyes of the people.
  • "ornament" (עֲדִי, adi): This term refers to a decorative or valuable object, likely pointing to the temple's adornments or sacred vessels, showing that even the most honored things can be misused.
  • "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This word means something detestable or repulsive, especially in the context of idol worship, underlining how deeply offensive these images were to God.
  • "set...far" (נָתַן, natan + מָחוֹק, machoq): The phrase means God actively removed or distanced these things from the people, stressing that the loss was a direct result of their actions, not just a natural consequence.

Why Ezekiel 7:20 matters

  • Ezekiel 7:20 clarifies that the judgment was not just about foreign invaders or political failure, but about the people's misuse of what was meant to be holy.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Ezekiel of God's presence departing from the temple because of idolatry, showing the seriousness of spiritual corruption.
  • It helps readers see that even the most beautiful or sacred things can become a cause for judgment if they are turned toward evil purposes.

Where else these words appear

“ornament” Hebrew H5716 · used in 13 verses

  • Exodus 33:4 And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
  • Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
  • Jeremiah 4:30 And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.

“images” Hebrew H6754 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
  • Psalms 39:6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

“far” Hebrew H5079 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Leviticus 15:33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

“things” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
  • Ezekiel 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.