Ezekiel 20:28

KJV

[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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
This verse encapsulates Israel's immediate and profound spiritual failure upon entering the Promised Land, a land solemnly sworn to them by God. Despite God's unwavering faithfulness in bringing them into their inheritance, the Israelites quickly abandoned Him, turning to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding Canaanite nations. They defiled the land God had given them by offering sacrifices, "provocation" offerings, and drink offerings on "every high hill and all the thick trees," demonstrating a deep-seated rebellion and a preference for pagan worship over exclusive devotion to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20:28 is situated within a lengthy historical recital of Israel's rebellion, delivered by God through the prophet Ezekiel to the elders of Israel. This chapter serves as a comprehensive indictment, tracing Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience from their time in Egypt, through the wilderness wanderings, and into their settlement in Canaan. The preceding verses (Ezekiel 20:1-27) detail earlier instances of rebellion, particularly in the wilderness, where God's patience was repeatedly tested. Verse 28 marks a pivotal moment, showing that even after God fulfilled His promise to bring them into the land, their rebellion did not cease but immediately escalated, setting the stage for the subsequent judgments and the ultimate exile that Ezekiel is prophesying. The chapter's overarching message is God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, despite Israel's unfaithfulness, and His ultimate plan to restore them for His name's sake.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Upon entering Canaan, the Israelites encountered a deeply entrenched polytheistic culture, characterized by the worship of various deities, most notably Baal and Asherah. These Canaanite religions often involved fertility cults, ritual prostitution, and child sacrifice, practices explicitly forbidden by God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Warnings Against Canaanite Practices")). The "high hills" and "thick trees" mentioned in the verse were common sites for Canaanite worship, considered sacred groves or elevated places where altars were erected. These natural settings were believed to enhance communication with the gods and facilitate fertility rituals. The Israelites, instead of utterly destroying these pagan sites and practices as commanded (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Command to Destroy Idols")), readily adopted them, integrating them into their own religious life, thereby syncretizing their worship of Yahweh with the worship of foreign gods. This cultural assimilation was a direct violation of their covenant with God, which demanded exclusive devotion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several recurring themes in Ezekiel and the broader Old Testament narrative. First, it highlights the theme of **Divine Faithfulness versus Human Rebellion**. God consistently fulfills His promises, bringing Israel into the land He "lifted up mine hand" to give them, yet Israel consistently rebels against His commands. Second, the verse underscores the pervasive problem of **Idolatry and High Places**. The immediate turn to pagan worship on "every high hill, and all the thick trees" demonstrates Israel's deep-seated inclination towards false gods, a theme central to Israel's history of disobedience and the reason for their eventual exile. Finally, the description of their offerings as "the provocation of their offering" emphasizes the theme of **God's Righteous Anger and Grief**. Israel's actions were not merely misguided; they were a direct affront to God's holiness and a betrayal of their covenant relationship, eliciting His just displeasure and sorrow. This rebellion foreshadows the need for a radical transformation, as promised later in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This word, while literally referring to a physical hand, is used idiomatically here in the phrase "lifted up mine hand." In this context, it signifies a solemn oath, a binding vow, or a pledge made by God. It emphasizes the absolute certainty and unwavering commitment of God's promise to bring Israel into the land, making their subsequent betrayal even more egregious due to the weight of His sworn word.
* **hill (Hebrew, _gibʻâh'_):** Referring to a "hillock" or "little hill," this term specifically denotes the elevated places that were commonly used as sites for pagan worship in Canaan. These "high places" were not merely geographical features but became symbols of Israel's spiritual compromise and their adoption of the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations, directly contrary to God's commands to dismantle such sites.
* **provocation (Hebrew, _kaʻaç'_):** This powerful word conveys deep vexation, anger, grief, or indignation. When applied to Israel's offerings, it signifies that their actions were not simply misguided or disobedient, but were a direct affront to God, stirring up His righteous wrath and sorrow. It highlights the offensive nature of their idolatry, which mimicked legitimate worship forms but directed them to false gods, thereby defiling their relationship with the Holy One of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them":** This opening clause highlights God's absolute faithfulness and the fulfillment of His covenant promise. Despite Israel's earlier rebellions in the wilderness, God honored His oath, bringing them into the Promised Land. The phrase "lifted up mine hand" underscores the solemnity and certainty of this divine commitment, emphasizing that the land was a gracious gift, not something earned.
* **"then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees":** Immediately upon entering the land, Israel's attention was drawn to the physical landscape, specifically the prominent "high hills" and "thick trees." These natural features were, in the Canaanite culture, associated with pagan worship sites. This clause sets the scene for their immediate spiritual deviation, indicating that they were not focused on God's commands but on the allure of the local religious customs.
* **"and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering":** This section details the specific acts of idolatry. Instead of offering sacrifices exclusively to Yahweh at His appointed sanctuary, they offered them "there"—on the pagan high places. The term "provocation of their offering" is critical, indicating that these sacrifices, though outwardly similar to legitimate worship, were an abomination to God because they were directed to false gods, thus inciting His anger and grief.
* **"there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings":** This final clause further elaborates on their idolatrous practices. "Sweet savour" (or pleasing aroma) refers to the fragrant smoke of burnt offerings, which in legitimate Israelite worship was meant to ascend to God as a pleasing aroma. Similarly, "drink offerings" were an integral part of Israelite worship. However, by performing these acts "there" (on the high places, to idols), Israel perverted sacred rituals, transforming acts meant for Yahweh into acts of rebellion that were deeply offensive and provoked God's wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:28 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Irony** is prominent, as God recounts His unwavering faithfulness in bringing Israel into the promised land, only for them to immediately betray Him. The very land given as an inheritance becomes the stage for their immediate and profound spiritual infidelity. The description of "every high hill, and all the thick trees" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the pervasive nature of Canaanite idolatry and the allure of false worship. These natural features were not merely locations but became emblematic of Israel's spiritual compromise. The phrase "lifted up mine hand" is a powerful **Idiom**, signifying a solemn, unbreakable oath by God, which heightens the sense of Israel's egregious betrayal. Finally, the use of "provocation" (Hebrew: _kaʻaç_) to describe their offerings is a form of **Anthropopathy**, attributing human emotions (anger, vexation) to God, thereby underscoring the depth of His displeasure and sorrow over His people's unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:28 serves as a stark reminder of humanity's persistent inclination towards idolatry and the profound consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. The verse underscores God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, even in the face of His people's immediate and egregious rebellion. It highlights that true worship demands exclusive devotion and that syncretism, the blending of divine truth with pagan practices, is an abomination to a holy God. This historical account of Israel's failure to occupy the land spiritually as well as physically resonates with the broader biblical narrative of humanity's struggle with sin and the need for divine intervention to transform the heart.

* [Deuteronomy 31:20](/deuteronomy/31-20 "Deuteronomy 31:20 - Prophecy of Israel's Corruption in the Land")
* [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Idolatry After Joshua")
* [Jeremiah 2:27-28](/jeremiah/2-27 "Jeremiah 2:27-28 - Israel's Shameful Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:28 offers a sobering mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the idols of our own hearts and cultures. Just as ancient Israel was drawn to the "high places" and "thick trees" of Canaanite worship, we too can be subtly (or overtly) lured by modern "high places" – materialism, self-worship, success, comfort, or even good causes – that compete for our ultimate allegiance. This verse calls us to a radical, exclusive devotion to God, reminding us that anything that takes His rightful place in our lives becomes a "provocation" to Him. It compels us to ask: What are the "high hills" in my life that draw my worship away from the One True God? Am I truly living out my covenant with Him, or am I compromising with the values and practices of the world around me? The passage reminds us that God's faithfulness to His promises is unwavering, and our response should be one of complete loyalty and obedience, seeking to honor Him in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high hills" or "thick trees" in my contemporary culture might subtly or overtly draw my heart away from exclusive devotion to God?**
* **How do I ensure that my worship and offerings (time, talents, resources) are truly directed to God and not to "provocations" of self or worldly idols?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise my faith with cultural norms, and how can I actively resist such syncretism?**

### FAQ
**What does "lifted up mine hand" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "lifted up mine hand" (Hebrew: _nasa' yad_) is a powerful idiom in the Old Testament signifying a solemn oath or a binding vow made by God. It emphasizes the absolute certainty, unwavering nature, and inviolability of God's promise. In Ezekiel 20:28, it underscores that God had sworn to bring Israel into the land, and He faithfully fulfilled that promise, making Israel's immediate rebellion upon entering the land even more grievous because it was a betrayal of a divinely sworn commitment. This idiom is also seen in other passages like [Exodus 6:8](/exodus/6-8 "Exodus 6:8 - God's Oath to Bring Israel to the Land") and [Deuteronomy 32:40](/deuteronomy/32-40 "Deuteronomy 32:40 - God Swears by His Hand").

**Why were "high hills" and "thick trees" significant for Israel's idolatry?**

Answer: "High hills" and "thick trees" (or "groves") were common and prominent sites for Canaanite pagan worship. The Canaanites believed that elevated places brought them closer to their deities, and trees were often associated with fertility cults (e.g., Asherah poles). When Israel entered the land, instead of destroying these sites as commanded by God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Pagan Worship Sites")), they adopted these locations and the associated practices for their own worship, blending their devotion to Yahweh with the worship of foreign gods like Baal and Asherah. This syncretistic worship on the "high places" became a recurring sin throughout Israel's history, frequently condemned by the prophets.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:28, though a stark indictment of Israel's historical rebellion, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in highlighting the depth of human depravity and the necessity of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. Israel's immediate turn to idolatry upon entering the Promised Land demonstrates humanity's inherent inability to keep God's covenant and live in perfect obedience, even when blessed abundantly. This persistent failure underscores the need for a new covenant, not written on stone tablets or dependent on human effort, but etched on the heart by the Spirit of God. Jesus, as the true Israel, perfectly fulfilled the covenant that ancient Israel broke. He is the one who truly entered the "land" of God's presence and remained perfectly faithful, resisting every temptation to idolatry or self-worship (e.g., [Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - Temptation of Jesus")). His perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death, provides the "sweet savour" and "offering" that truly pleases God, not as a "provocation" but as a perfect atoning sacrifice (e.g., [Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrifice as a Fragrant Offering")). Through Christ, believers are given a "new heart and a new spirit" (foreshadowed in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")), enabling them to truly worship God in spirit and truth, free from the pull of spiritual idolatry that plagued ancient Israel. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise, establishing a kingdom where true worship is finally realized, not on high hills or under thick trees, but in the hearts of those redeemed by His blood (e.g., [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.