Ezekiel 20:16
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֜עַן
H3282
יַ֜עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
H4941
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י
my judgments
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
מָאָ֗סוּ
Because they despised
H3988
מָאָ֗סוּ
Because they despised
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
3 of 16
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֹלֵֽךְ׃
and walked
H1980
הֹלֵֽךְ׃
and walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
7 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י
my sabbaths
H7676
שַׁבְּתוֹתַ֖י
my sabbaths
Strong's:
H7676
Word #:
10 of 16
intermission, i.e (specifically) the sabbath
חִלֵּ֑לוּ
but polluted
H2490
חִלֵּ֑לוּ
but polluted
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַחֲרֵ֥י
after
H310
אַחֲרֵ֥י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
גִלּוּלֵיהֶ֖ם
their idols
H1544
גִלּוּלֵיהֶ֖ם
their idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
Cross References
Numbers 15:39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:Ezekiel 20:8But 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.
Historical Context
Wilderness idolatry included the golden calf (Exodus 32), illicit relationships with Moabite women and their gods (Numbers 25), and ongoing syncretism. Acts 7:42-43 (quoting Amos 5:25-27) indicates they carried idols throughout the wilderness period despite God's presence in the tabernacle. Heart-level rebellion persisted despite external religious observance.
Questions for Reflection
- What idols compete for our hearts while we maintain external religious observance?
- How do we address heart-level idolatry rather than merely conforming externally?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.' The cause of judgment: despising God's law and idolatry. 'Their heart went after their idols' identifies the root problem—divided affection, misplaced worship. External rebellion (despising judgments) stems from internal idolatry (hearts after idols). God's law addresses heart orientation, not merely external conformity.