Ezekiel 20:28

[For] 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.

For when I had brought {H935} them into the land {H776}, for the which I lifted up {H5375} mine hand {H3027} to give {H5414} it to them, then they saw {H7200} every high {H7311} hill {H1389}, and all the thick {H5687} trees {H6086}, and they offered {H2076} there their sacrifices {H2077}, and there they presented {H5414} the provocation {H3708} of their offering {H7133}: there also they made {H7760} their sweet {H5207} savour {H7381}, and poured out {H5258} there their drink offerings {H5262}.

for after I had brought them into the land, which I had raised my hand in pledge to give them, they noted all its high hills and leafy trees and offered there their sacrifices; there they made offerings that provoked my anger, there they set out their sweet aromas, and there they poured out their drink offerings.

When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings.

For when I had brought them into the land, which I sware to give unto them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering; there also they made their sweet savor, and they poured out there their drink-offerings.

Commentary

Ezekiel 20:28 reveals a stark moment in Israel's history, highlighting their immediate and profound disobedience upon entering the Promised Land. This verse is part of a longer historical recital in Ezekiel chapter 20, where God recounts Israel's rebellion from Egypt to the present, emphasizing their consistent idolatry despite His faithfulness.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 20, the prophet Ezekiel is addressing the elders of Israel who have come to inquire of the Lord. Instead of answering their direct questions, God uses this opportunity to deliver a scathing indictment against the nation's long history of rebellion and idolatry, beginning from their time in Egypt through their wilderness wanderings and up to their settlement in Canaan. Verse 28 specifically details the moment they entered the land God had solemnly promised them (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), only to immediately turn to pagan worship. This serves as a reminder of the deep-seated spiritual unfaithfulness that eventually led to their exile and the need for a new heart and spirit.

Key Themes

  • Divine Faithfulness vs. Human Rebellion: God consistently keeps His covenant promises, bringing Israel into the land He "lifted up mine hand" to give them. In stark contrast, Israel consistently rebels against His commands, despite His unwavering commitment.
  • Idolatry and High Places: The verse explicitly mentions "every high hill, and all the thick trees" as sites of pagan worship. These "high places" were notorious centers of Canaanite fertility cults and other idolatrous practices, which Israel readily adopted, directly violating the first commandment to have no other gods before Him.
  • Provocation of God: Israel's actions are described as "the provocation of their offering." This signifies God's deep anger and displeasure at their turning away from Him to false gods, mimicking legitimate worship forms (sacrifices, sweet savour, drink offerings) but directing them to idols, thereby defiling the land and their relationship with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lifted up mine hand" (Hebrew: nasa' yad) is a powerful idiom signifying a solemn oath or vow made by God. It underscores the certainty and unwavering nature of His promise to give them the land, making Israel's subsequent betrayal even more egregious. The term "provocation" (Hebrew: ka'as) conveys anger, vexation, and grief, highlighting God's emotional response to His people's idolatry and spiritual infidelity.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 20:28 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual compromise and the allure of worldly influences. Just as ancient Israel was tempted by the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, believers today can be drawn away from exclusive devotion to God by modern "idols" such as materialism, power, pleasure, or self-worship. The passage reminds us that God desires our complete loyalty and that His promises are always fulfilled, even when our faith wavers. It calls us to examine our own hearts for anything that takes the place of God and to remain faithful to our covenant with Him, guarding against anything that would provoke His displeasure.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Joshua 23:14

    And, behold, this day I [am] going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, [and] not one thing hath failed thereof.

  • Jeremiah 3:6

    ¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

  • Isaiah 57:5

    Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?

  • Isaiah 57:7

    Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.

  • Jeremiah 2:7

    And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

  • Nehemiah 9:22

    Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.
← Back