Ezekiel 20:32
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָֽעֹלָה֙
And that which cometh
H5927
וְהָֽעֹלָה֙
And that which cometh
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
ר֣וּחֲכֶ֔ם
into your mind
H7307
ר֣וּחֲכֶ֔ם
into your mind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
3 of 16
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
H1961
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
H1961
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר׀
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֹמְרִ֗ים
shall not be at all that ye say
H559
אֹמְרִ֗ים
shall not be at all that ye say
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
9 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
H1961
נִֽהְיֶ֤ה
We will be
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַגּוֹיִם֙
as the heathen
H1471
כַגּוֹיִם֙
as the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
11 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
כְּמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת
as the families
H4940
כְּמִשְׁפְּח֣וֹת
as the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
12 of 16
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת
of the countries
H776
הָאֲרָצ֔וֹת
of the countries
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
13 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
לְשָׁרֵ֖ת
to serve
H8334
לְשָׁרֵ֖ת
to serve
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
14 of 16
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
Cross References
Jeremiah 44:17But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.Ezekiel 11:5And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus saith the LORD; Thus have ye said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.Revelation 9:20And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:Deuteronomy 4:28And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.Daniel 5:4They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Historical Context
Some exiles in Babylon evidently wanted to fully assimilate, abandoning distinctive covenant identity. This tension between assimilation and faithfulness appears throughout Jewish diaspora history. God's refusal to let them go completely anticipates restoration prophecies (Ezekiel 36-37) and New Covenant promises.
Questions for Reflection
- What temptations to spiritual compromise or assimilation do believers face?
- How does God's commitment to preserve His people provide hope even in judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.' The exiles fantasized about abandoning Yahweh worship entirely and becoming like pagan nations. 'That which cometh into your mind' indicates deliberate consideration of apostasy. 'Serve wood and stone' describes idolatry with contempt. God declares this will 'not be at all'—He won't let them go. Though judgment comes, God will preserve a remnant and restore them. His covenant commitment outlasts their unfaithfulness.