Ezekiel 20:28
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.
Original Language Analysis
וָאֲבִיאֵם֙
For when I had brought
H935
וָאֲבִיאֵם֙
For when I had brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 33
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָאָ֔רֶץ
them into the land
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
them into the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
3 of 33
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙
for the which I lifted up
H5375
נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙
for the which I lifted up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
5 of 33
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יָדִ֔י
mine hand
H3027
יָדִ֔י
mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 33
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and there they presented
H5414
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and there they presented
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 33
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אוֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אוֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיִּרְאוּ֩
it to them then they saw
H7200
וַיִּרְאוּ֩
it to them then they saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
11 of 33
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָמָ֜ה
every high
H7311
רָמָ֜ה
every high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
14 of 33
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ
and they offered
H2076
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ
and they offered
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
18 of 33
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
שָׁ֤ם
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 33
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זִבְחֵיהֶם֙
there their sacrifices
H2077
זִבְחֵיהֶם֙
there their sacrifices
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
21 of 33
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and there they presented
H5414
וַיִּתְּנוּ
and there they presented
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
22 of 33
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שָׁם֙
H8033
קָרְבָּנָ֔ם
of their offering
H7133
קָרְבָּנָ֔ם
of their offering
Strong's:
H7133
Word #:
25 of 33
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
there also they made
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ
there also they made
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
26 of 33
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שָׁ֗ם
H8033
נִיח֣וֹחֵיהֶ֔ם
their sweet
H5207
נִיח֣וֹחֵיהֶ֔ם
their sweet
Strong's:
H5207
Word #:
29 of 33
properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight
וַיַּסִּ֥יכוּ
and poured out
H5258
וַיַּסִּ֥יכוּ
and poured out
Strong's:
H5258
Word #:
30 of 33
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
Cross References
Ezekiel 6:13Then 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.Jeremiah 3:6The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.Jeremiah 2:7And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.Joshua 23:14And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
Historical Context
Archaeological excavations throughout Israel/Palestine confirm widespread high place worship. These were often hilltop platforms with altars, standing stones (masseboth), and Asherah poles. Israelites syncretistically worshiped Yahweh alongside Baal and Asherah at these sites, exactly what God forbade (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we syncretistically mix true worship with cultural or pagan elements?
- What does God's demand for exclusive worship teach about the nature of covenant relationship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'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.' Upon entering the promised land, Israel immediately adopted Canaanite worship practices. 'Every high hill, and all the thick trees' describes Canaanite high places and sacred groves. Rather than exclusive Yahweh worship, they offered sacrifices at pagan sites. 'The provocation of their offering' indicates how offensive this syncretism was to God.