Ezekiel 20:40
For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בְּהַ֣ר׀
in the mountain
H2022
בְּהַ֣ר׀
in the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 27
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
קָדְשֵׁיכֶֽם׃
For in mine holy
H6944
קָדְשֵׁיכֶֽם׃
For in mine holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
3 of 27
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
בְּהַ֣ר׀
in the mountain
H2022
בְּהַ֣ר׀
in the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 27
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
מְר֣וֹם
of the height
H4791
מְר֣וֹם
of the height
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
5 of 27
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
יַעַבְדֻ֜נִי
serve
H5647
יַעַבְדֻ֜נִי
serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
11 of 27
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בֵּ֧ית
there shall all the house
H1004
בֵּ֧ית
there shall all the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
14 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
H3605
כֻּלֹּ֖ה
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּאָ֑רֶץ
all of them in the land
H776
בָּאָ֑רֶץ
all of them in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 27
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
אֶרְצֵ֔ם
me there will I accept
H7521
אֶרְצֵ֔ם
me there will I accept
Strong's:
H7521
Word #:
18 of 27
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
וְשָׁ֞ם
H8033
וְשָׁ֞ם
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
19 of 27
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ
them and there will I require
H1875
אֶדְר֣וֹשׁ
them and there will I require
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּרוּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם
your offerings
H8641
תְּרוּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם
your offerings
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
22 of 27
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רֵאשִׁ֛ית
and the firstfruits
H7225
רֵאשִׁ֛ית
and the firstfruits
Strong's:
H7225
Word #:
24 of 27
the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit)
מַשְׂאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your oblations
H4864
מַשְׂאוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
of your oblations
Strong's:
H4864
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr
Cross References
Isaiah 56:7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.Isaiah 60:7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.Malachi 3:4Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.Hebrews 13:15By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.Isaiah 66:23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 43:27And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 17:23In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
The return from exile and temple rebuilding (520-515 BC) partially fulfilled this. Centralized worship at Jerusalem resumed. However, full fulfillment awaited Christ, who is the true temple (John 2:19-21). The church as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21) and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22) complete the fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ as the true temple fulfill this promise of acceptable worship?
- What does acceptable worship in God's holy mountain teach about the church's worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.' The promise: restored worship on God's holy mountain (Zion). 'All the house of Israel...serve me' indicates unified, pure worship replacing syncretistic high places. 'There will I accept them' promises restored fellowship. Acceptable worship replaces offensive idolatry.