Ezekiel 6:13
Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.
Original Language Analysis
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙
Then shall ye know
H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּם֙
Then shall ye know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 33
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 33
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה
that I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
that I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 33
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בִּֽהְי֣וֹת
H1961
בִּֽהְי֣וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 33
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
חַלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
when their slain
H2491
חַלְלֵיהֶ֗ם
when their slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
6 of 33
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
בְּתוֹךְ֙
men shall be among
H8432
בְּתוֹךְ֙
men shall be among
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
7 of 33
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
גִּלּוּלֵיהֶֽם׃
their idols
H1544
גִּלּוּלֵיהֶֽם׃
their idols
Strong's:
H1544
Word #:
8 of 33
properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
H5439
סְבִיב֖וֹת
round about
Strong's:
H5439
Word #:
9 of 33
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָמָ֜ה
upon every high
H7311
רָמָ֜ה
upon every high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
14 of 33
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
בְּכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
בְּכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָאשֵׁ֣י
in all the tops
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֣י
in all the tops
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
16 of 33
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הֶהָרִ֗ים
of the mountains
H2022
הֶהָרִ֗ים
of the mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 33
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְתַ֨חַת
H8478
וְתַ֨חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
18 of 33
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רַֽעֲנָן֙
and under every green
H7488
רַֽעֲנָן֙
and under every green
Strong's:
H7488
Word #:
21 of 33
verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous
וְתַ֙חַת֙
H8478
וְתַ֙חַת֙
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
22 of 33
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 33
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְק֗וֹם
the place
H4725
מְק֗וֹם
the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
26 of 33
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
27 of 33
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽתְנוּ
where they did offer
H5414
נָֽתְנוּ
where they did offer
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
28 of 33
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
שָׁם֙
H8033
נִיחֹ֔חַ
sweet
H5207
נִיחֹ֔חַ
sweet
Strong's:
H5207
Word #:
31 of 33
properly, restful, i.e., pleasant; abstractly, delight
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:28For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.Hosea 4:13They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.Jeremiah 2:20For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.1 Kings 14:23For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.Isaiah 1:29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.2 Kings 16:4And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.
Historical Context
Archaeological surveys confirm widespread high place distribution across Israel's hill country. Remains of altars, standing stones, and cultic installations appear on hilltops, under ancient trees, and at mountain shrines throughout the land. The phrase 'under every green tree' became proverbial for idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:2; 1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 16:4; 17:10; Jeremiah 2:20; 3:6, 13). Canaanite religion associated sacred trees with divine presence, a practice Israel adopted despite prohibitions. The irony of corpses among idols at these sites vindicated Yahweh's exclusive deity while demonstrating idols' impotence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the ironic reversal (corpses instead of pleasing aroma) expose idolatry's futility?
- What modern 'high places' and 'sacred groves' do we establish where we worship false gods?
- How does this passage challenge us to examine what truly receives the 'sweet savour' of our lives?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then shall ye know that I am the LORD, when their slain men shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols. The recognition formula returns, tied specifically to corpses surrounding idols at worship sites. The geographic specificity—high hills, mountaintops, green trees, thick oaks—catalogs idolatrous worship locations throughout the land. "Sweet savour" (reiach nicho'ach, רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ) ironically uses language for acceptable sacrifices to Yahweh (Genesis 8:21; Leviticus 1:9) applied to idol worship. The tragic reversal: instead of pleasing aroma ascending to God, corpses rot before powerless idols. This macabre scene teaches that idols neither prevent death nor receive offerings—they're as dead as their worshipers.