Ezekiel 20:16
Ezekiel 20:16 in Multiple Translations
because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
because they rejected mine ordinances, and walked not in my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Because they were turned away from my orders, and were not guided by my rules, and had no respect for my Sabbaths: for their hearts went after their images.
because they repeatedly rejected my regulations, refused to observe my laws, and violated my Sabbaths, and because they chose to continue worshiping idols.
Because they cast away my iudgments, and walked not in my statutes, but haue polluted my Sabbaths: for their heart went after their idoles.
Because against My judgments they did kick, And in My statutes they have not walked, And My sabbaths they have polluted, For after their idols their heart is going.
because they rejected my ordinances, and didn’t walk in my statutes, and profaned my Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols.
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Because they cast off my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, and violated my sabbaths: for their heart went after idols.
The reason that I promised that was because they rejected and disobeyed all my laws [DOU] and ◄desecrated/refused to rest on► the Sabbath days. They did that because they [SYN] were devoted toworshiping their idols.
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:16
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Ezekiel 20:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 20:16
Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:16
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 20:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:16
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:16
- Sermons on Ezekiel 20:16
Context — Israel’s Rebellion in the Wilderness
16because they kept rejecting My ordinances, refusing to walk in My statutes, and profaning My Sabbaths; for their hearts continually went after their idols.
17Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or bring them to an end in the wilderness. 18In the wilderness I said to their children: ‘Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers or keep their ordinances or defile yourselves with their idols.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 15:39 | These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 20:8 | But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 14:3–4 | “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way? Therefore speak to them and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When any Israelite sets up idols in his heart and puts a wicked stumbling block before his face, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him according to his great idolatry, |
| 4 | Amos 5:25–26 | Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 20:13–14 | Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. |
| 6 | Exodus 32:1–8 | Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before the calf and proclaimed: “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” So the next day they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in revelry. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. How quickly they have turned aside from the way that I commanded them! They have made for themselves a molten calf and have bowed down to it. They have sacrificed to it and said, ‘These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’” |
| 7 | Numbers 25:2 | who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. |
| 8 | Ezekiel 23:8 | She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when men slept with her in her youth, caressed her virgin bosom, and poured out their lust upon her. |
| 9 | Acts 7:39–43 | But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ |
Ezekiel 20:16 Summary
[Ezekiel 20:16 tells us that the Israelites rejected God's laws and commands, refused to follow His statutes, and disrespected the Sabbath day. This rejection and disobedience led to their hearts being drawn away from God and towards idols. We can learn from their example by making sure to follow God's commands and prioritize our relationship with Him, as encouraged in John 14:15 and Matthew 22:37-40. By doing so, we can avoid the same mistakes and instead cultivate a heart that seeks after God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to reject God's ordinances?
Rejecting God's ordinances, as seen in Ezekiel 20:16, means refusing to follow and obey the laws and commands that God has given to us, similar to the disobedience described in Deuteronomy 28:15. This rejection can lead to severe consequences, as warned in Leviticus 26:14-17.
Why is profaning the Sabbath so significant?
Profaning the Sabbath, as mentioned in Ezekiel 20:16, is a serious offense because the Sabbath is a day of rest and worship that God has set apart for Himself, as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11. By profaning the Sabbath, the Israelites were showing disrespect for God's authority and holy days.
What does it mean for hearts to continually go after idols?
When the Bible says that the hearts of the Israelites continually went after idols, as in Ezekiel 20:16, it means that they were constantly being drawn to and seeking after false gods and worldly desires, rather than seeking a genuine relationship with the one true God, as warned against in 1 John 5:21.
How does God respond to such disobedience?
Despite the disobedience and rejection of His ordinances, God still shows pity and mercy, as seen in Ezekiel 20:17, demonstrating His long-suffering nature and desire for restoration, as also seen in Romans 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be rejecting God's ordinances in my own life, and how can I turn back to obedience?
- In what ways am I prioritizing rest and worship on the Sabbath, and how can I make this day more holy and set apart for God?
- What idols or worldly desires am I allowing to capture my heart's attention, and how can I redirect my focus to seeking after God?
- How can I balance the fear of God's judgment with the knowledge of His mercy and pity, as seen in Ezekiel 20:16-17?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:16
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:16
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:16
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:16
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:16
Sermons on Ezekiel 20:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Youth by Matt Chandler | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of taking steps and not being afraid to fail. He emphasizes that God's power flows through us and that we should embrace the |
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Notes of a Lecture Numbers 15 by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby discusses the significance of Numbers 15, emphasizing God's unwavering purpose despite Israel's rebellion and unbelief. He highlights how, even after the people's |
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The Wearing Down of the Saints by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of people waiting in line to be prayed for and seeking a touch or word from a man instead of seeking God directly. The speaker refer |
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True Repentance by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes God's promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that He will never allow us to face trials beyond our ability to bear, likening trials to resistance training for spirit |
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Teach Us to Pray by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday emphasizes the vital role of prayer in a believer's life, arguing that neglecting prayer leads to spiritual weakness akin to physical weakness from lack of exercise. H |
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Idols in the Heart by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the hidden idolatry in the hearts of respected elders of Israel who sought guidance from the prophet Ezekiel. Despite their outward appearance of godlines |
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Jesus Christ Come in Flesh by John Gifford Bellett | John Gifford Bellett preaches on the significance of the ark and the camp during the journey through the wilderness, emphasizing the need for the camp to guide and guard the ark, s |






