Ezekiel 20:31
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
Original Language Analysis
וּבִשְׂאֵ֣ת
For when ye offer
H5375
וּבִשְׂאֵ֣ת
For when ye offer
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
1 of 24
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מַתְּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם
your gifts
H4979
מַתְּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם
your gifts
Strong's:
H4979
Word #:
2 of 24
a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe
בְּֽהַעֲבִיר֩
to pass through
H5674
בְּֽהַעֲבִיר֩
to pass through
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 24
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בְּנֵיכֶ֨ם
when ye make your sons
H1121
בְּנֵיכֶ֨ם
when ye make your sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
נִטְמְאִ֤֨ים
ye pollute
H2930
נִטְמְאִ֤֨ים
ye pollute
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
7 of 24
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶם֙
yourselves with all your idols
H1544
גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶם֙
yourselves with all your idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֔וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ
I will not be enquired
H1875
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ
I will not be enquired
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
בֵּ֣ית
of by you O house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
of by you O house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
15 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
חַי
As I live
H2416
חַי
As I live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
17 of 24
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
22 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:31And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.Ezekiel 20:26And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Child sacrifice occurred in the Valley of Hinnom (Tophet) outside Jerusalem. Kings Ahaz and Manasseh participated (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6). Though Josiah defiled the site (2 Kings 23:10), the practice evidently continued. Archaeological evidence from Carthage and other Phoenician sites confirms widespread ancient child sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern practices parallel ancient child sacrifice in sacrificing children for adult convenience or ideology?
- How does harboring known sin while seeking God's guidance demonstrate spiritual schizophrenia?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be enquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.' God refuses consultation because of ongoing child sacrifice and idolatry. 'Make your sons to pass through the fire' refers to Molech worship. 'Even unto this day' indicates persistence into Ezekiel's time. How can they seek God's guidance while sacrificing their children to idols? The answer: emphatic refusal. Unrepentant idolatry disqualifies from divine consultation.