Ezekiel 20:30
Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בֵּ֣ית
unto the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
unto the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 17
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
הַבְּדֶ֥רֶךְ
after the manner
H1870
הַבְּדֶ֥רֶךְ
after the manner
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
H1
אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 17
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
נִטְמְאִ֑ים
Are ye polluted
H2930
נִטְמְאִ֑ים
Are ye polluted
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
13 of 17
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וְאַחֲרֵ֥י
after
H310
וְאַחֲרֵ֥י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Jeremiah 16:12And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.Judges 2:19And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
Historical Context
Ezekiel's generation blamed their exile on previous generations' sins (Ezekiel 18:2) while continuing the same idolatrous practices. Even in exile, they maintained household idols (Ezekiel 14:3-4). They wanted to be inquired of by God (verse 1) while holding onto idolatry—the hypocritical syncretism God condemns throughout this chapter.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we blame previous generations while perpetuating the same patterns of unfaithfulness?
- What does spiritual adultery (idolatry) teach about the exclusive nature of covenant relationship with God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye polluted after the manner of your fathers? and commit ye whoredom after their abominations?' God's rhetorical questions indict the exilic generation for continuing ancestral patterns. 'Polluted after the manner of your fathers' indicates repeating previous generations' defilement. 'Commit ye whoredom' uses adultery/prostitution imagery for idolatry—violating covenant relationship. Each generation must answer for its own unfaithfulness.