Ezekiel 20:7
Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Original Language Analysis
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י
the abominations
H8251
שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י
the abominations
Strong's:
H8251
Word #:
4 of 13
disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol
עֵינָיו֙
of his eyes
H5869
עֵינָיו֙
of his eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַשְׁלִ֔יכוּ
I unto them Cast ye away
H7993
הַשְׁלִ֔יכוּ
I unto them Cast ye away
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
6 of 13
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
וּבְגִלּוּלֵ֥י
not yourselves with the idols
H1544
וּבְגִלּוּלֵ֥י
not yourselves with the idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
9 of 13
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּ
and defile
H2930
תִּטַּמָּ֑אוּ
and defile
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
10 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
Cross References
Leviticus 18:3After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.Ezekiel 18:31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?Leviticus 11:44For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.Isaiah 31:7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.Exodus 20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.Exodus 16:12I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.Exodus 20:4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:Ezekiel 23:8Neither left she her whoredoms brought from Egypt: for in her youth they lay with her, and they bruised the breasts of her virginity, and poured their whoredom upon her.Ezekiel 18:15That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
Historical Context
Joshua 24:14 and Ezekiel 23:3, 8 confirm that Israel worshiped Egyptian gods during their sojourn. Archaeological evidence shows widespread Egyptian religious practices. God's demand for exclusive worship preceded the exodus, not merely following it. Election requires consecration.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Egyptian idols' must we forsake to fully follow Christ?
- How does God's exclusivity in relationship challenge modern religious pluralism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.' God's command in Egypt: abandon Egyptian idolatry. 'Abominations of his eyes' refers to idols they viewed/desired. 'Defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt' requires clean break from Egyptian religion. The covenant formula 'I am the LORD your God' grounds the command in relationship. Exclusive loyalty to Yahweh was prerequisite for deliverance.