¶ Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
Therefore, son {H1121} of man {H120}, speak {H1696} unto the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}, and say {H559} unto them, Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Yet in this your fathers {H1} have blasphemed {H1442} me, in that they have committed {H4603} a trespass {H4604} against me.
"Therefore, human being, speak to the house of Isra'el; tell them that Adonai ELOHIM says, 'Moreover, your ancestors blasphemed me by breaking faith with me in still another way:
Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: In this way also your fathers blasphemed Me by their unfaithfulness against Me.
Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
-
Romans 2:24
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. -
Ezekiel 3:11
And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear. -
Ezekiel 3:4
And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. -
Ezekiel 3:27
But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they [are] a rebellious house. -
Ezekiel 2:7
And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious. -
Ezekiel 18:24
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. -
Revelation 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
This verse is a direct declaration from the Lord GOD through the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled Israelites, laying the charge of historical sin against their ancestors.
Context
Ezekiel chapter 20 recounts the long history of Israel's rebellion against God from the time they were in Egypt through their journey in the wilderness and settlement in the Promised Land. The elders of Israel had come to inquire of the LORD, but God refused to answer them directly due to their ongoing idolatry and sin. Instead, He used Ezekiel to remind them of their persistent unfaithfulness and the sins of their forefathers, which were the root cause of their current predicament (the Babylonian exile). Verse 27 specifically focuses on a particular aspect of their fathers' sin.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word translated "blasphemed" here is chalal (חלל), which means to profane, defile, or violate. It signifies treating something sacred as common or impure. In this context, Israel's actions profaned God's holy name and character. The word "trespass" comes from maal (מעל), often used for acting unfaithfully, committing sacrilege, or breaking faith, particularly in the context of a covenant.
Commentary
Addressing the "house of Israel" through the prophet, the Lord GOD directly confronts them with the sins of their past. He declares that even in the specific actions He is about to detail (or has just detailed, depending on the specific flow from the preceding verses, but the context points to actions like idolatry on high places), their ancestors committed acts that were not just simple disobedience but a profound form of disrespect and violation against Him. The phrase "Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me" points to their active profaning of God's holiness through their actions, particularly their idolatrous practices. This was a serious "trespass," a breach of the covenant relationship and a betrayal of the trust God had placed in them as His chosen people. This verse sets the stage for God's further explanation of their historical sins and His justified judgment.
Reflection
Ezekiel 20:27 serves as a stark reminder that sin, especially persistent idolatry and disobedience, is viewed by God not merely as breaking rules, but as a deep offense and violation against His holy character and the relationship He desires with us. It highlights the seriousness with which God regards unfaithfulness and the profaning of His name through our actions. For us today, it prompts reflection on how we might inadvertently "trespass" or "blaspheme" God through our own compromises, divided loyalties (idolatry), or treating our relationship with Him lightly. It underscores the need for genuine repentance and a sincere commitment to honoring God in all areas of life, recognizing the holiness of His name and the seriousness of our covenant with Him through Christ.