Ezekiel 20:29

KJV

Then I said unto them, What [is] the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I said {H559} unto them, What is the high place {H1116} whereunto ye go {H935}? And the name {H8034} thereof is called {H7121} Bamah {H1117} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I asked them, "This high place where you go, what is the meaning of it?" they gave it the name Bamah which it retains to this day.'

Berean Standard Bible

So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.)

American Standard Version

Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:29 captures a poignant moment in God's ongoing indictment of Israel's persistent idolatry, delivered through the prophet Ezekiel. It presents a divine rhetorical question that unmasks the nation's deep-seated spiritual unfaithfulness and their unwavering devotion to forbidden worship sites known as "high places." The verse culminates in a powerful wordplay, revealing how the generic term for these illicit altars, "high place" (bâmâh), had become so synonymous with their sin that it transformed into a proper noun, "Bamah," signifying the open, widespread, and enduring nature of their rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within [Ezekiel 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - A History of Israel's Rebellion"), a chapter structured as a divine lawsuit where God meticulously recounts Israel's long and tragic history of rebellion and idolatry. From their time in Egypt, through the wilderness wanderings, and into the Promised Land, God details their repeated transgressions despite His unwavering faithfulness and covenantal love. The rhetorical question in [Ezekiel 20:29](/ezekiel/20-29 "Ezekiel 20:29 - The High Place of Idolatry") serves as a pointed climax to God's historical review, specifically highlighting Israel's continued defilement through "high places" even after inheriting the land. It underscores their persistent spiritual adultery, following God's declarations of judgment for their disobedience and foreshadowing the inevitable exile as a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness. The passage emphasizes that their sin was not accidental but a deliberate, historical pattern.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** "High places" (Hebrew: _bâmâh_) were elevated locations, whether natural hills or man-made mounds, used for religious worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures. While some might have initially been dedicated to Yahweh, they largely became sites of syncretistic worship, blending legitimate Yahwistic devotion with abhorrent Canaanite fertility cults, or were entirely pagan. Practices at these sites often included child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and the worship of Asherah poles and Baal, all explicitly forbidden by God. The Mosaic Law commanded centralized worship at a single sanctuary (which later became the Temple in Jerusalem) precisely to prevent such syncretism and idolatry, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 12:2-5](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-5 - Destroying Idolatry and Centralized Worship"). Despite repeated warnings from prophets and reform efforts by righteous kings, the "high places" persisted throughout Israel's history, becoming a pervasive symbol of their spiritual compromise and defiance of God's exclusive claim on their worship. The naming of "Bamah" in this verse underscores the widespread and notorious nature of this particular form of idolatry.
* **Key Themes:** [Ezekiel 20:29](/ezekiel/20-29 "Ezekiel 20:29 - The High Place of Idolatry") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Israel's Persistent Idolatry and Rebellion**, showcasing their chronic tendency to abandon the covenant God for false gods, despite His gracious acts of deliverance and sustenance. This verse also highlights **God's Confrontation of Sin and Demand for Accountability**, as the rhetorical question is not for information but for indictment, forcing Israel to confront their blatant hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. Furthermore, it emphasizes the **Nature of True Worship vs. Idolatrous Worship**, contrasting God's desire for exclusive devotion with Israel's syncretistic practices at the "high places." Finally, the naming of "Bamah unto this day" underscores the **Enduring Consequences of Sin** and the inevitability of divine judgment for unrepentant rebellion, a theme echoed throughout [the entire book of Ezekiel](/ezekiel/1 "The Book of Ezekiel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **high place (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** (H1116) Derived from an unused root meaning "to be high," this word denotes an elevation, height, or a raised platform. In biblical contexts, it most frequently refers to cultic sites, often on hills or constructed mounds, where religious rituals were performed. While initially some might have been used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, they primarily became associated with illicit, syncretistic, or pagan worship, serving as centers of idolatry and spiritual defilement.
* **Bamah (Hebrew, _Bâmâh'_):** (H1117) This is the same word as H1116, but here it functions as a proper noun. This signifies that the generic descriptive term for an idolatrous "high place" had become a specific name, "Bamah," indicating a particular notorious location or, more likely, a generalized term that had become synonymous with "the high place of idolatry" due to its widespread practice. The shift from a common noun to a proper name highlights the notoriety and pervasive acceptance of these illicit worship sites among the Israelites, making their sin public and undeniable.
* **go (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** (H935) This primitive root means "to go or come" and is used with wide application. In this context, it signifies the deliberate and active participation of the Israelites in visiting and engaging in worship at these "high places." It implies intentional movement towards these sites, underscoring their willing involvement in idolatry rather than accidental or coerced presence. This verb highlights their agency and culpability in their rebellion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I said unto them,"**: This phrase marks the divine utterance, indicating that God Himself is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel. It sets the stage for a direct, authoritative confrontation, emphasizing the gravity and directness of the indictment that follows. This is not merely a human observation but a divine pronouncement.
* **"What [is] the high place whereunto ye go?"**: This is a powerful rhetorical question. God is not asking for information; He already knows the answer and the full extent of their idolatry. Instead, He is forcing the Israelites to confront their own actions and the true nature of their worship. The question highlights their active and intentional engagement with these forbidden sites, implying a deep-seated spiritual blindness, defiance, or hypocrisy. It challenges them to name their sin and acknowledge their unfaithfulness, leaving no room for denial.
* **"And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day."**: This clause provides the ironic, damning, and profoundly insightful answer to God's rhetorical question. The very word for "high place" (bâmâh) has become a proper noun ("Bamah"), signifying the notoriety, pervasiveness, and ingrained nature of their idolatry. "Unto this day" emphasizes the long-standing and persistent nature of this sin, indicating that it was not a fleeting transgression but an ingrained pattern of rebellion that continued even into Ezekiel's time, leading directly to the imminent judgment of exile. It shows how deeply entrenched this sin was in their national identity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "What [is] the high place whereunto ye go?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to accuse, convict, and expose the blatant hypocrisy of the Israelites. It forces the audience to confront their actions and acknowledge their undeniable guilt, highlighting the transparent nature of their idolatry. Closely related and central to the verse's power is **Wordplay**, specifically on the Hebrew word `bâmâh`. God asks about "the high place" (bâmâh), and then answers by stating its name is "Bamah" (Bâmâh). This clever linguistic device underscores the pervasive and notorious nature of these idolatrous sites, suggesting that the very term for them had become a proper noun due to the Israelites' consistent, open, and unashamed practice of illicit worship. Finally, the "high place" itself functions as profound **Symbolism**, representing not merely a physical location but the entire system of spiritual compromise, syncretism, and rebellion against God's exclusive covenant. It symbolizes Israel's chronic propensity to elevate anything—idols, self-will, foreign practices, or even a distorted form of Yahwism—above the one true God, thus defiling their relationship with Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:29 powerfully encapsulates the theological truth of God's absolute demand for exclusive worship and His intolerance for idolatry. It reveals the depth of Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, portraying their "high places" as tangible manifestations of a heart divided and ultimately rebellious against their covenant Lord. This verse underscores that true worship is not merely about external rituals or locations but about the internal allegiance of the heart, a principle consistently emphasized throughout Scripture. God's rhetorical question is an act of divine confrontation, exposing sin not to condemn without hope, but to call for repentance and a return to genuine devotion, even amidst the declaration of judgment. The persistence of "Bamah" speaks to the enduring nature of human sinfulness and the need for radical transformation that only God can bring.

* [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Command to Destroy High Places")
* [Jeremiah 3:6](/jeremiah/3-6 "Israel's Persistent Idolatry")
* [Hosea 4:13](/hosea/4-13 "Sacrifices on High Places")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:29 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the "high places" in our own lives. While we may not erect physical altars to pagan deities, anything that occupies the preeminent place in our hearts, demanding our ultimate loyalty, time, resources, or affection above God, functions as a modern "high place." This could manifest as an insatiable pursuit of career success, financial security, personal comfort, social validation, or even a self-righteous adherence to religious rituals without a genuine heart for God. The divine question, "What is the high place whereunto ye go?", resonates today, urging us to honestly confront where we seek our ultimate satisfaction, security, and identity. God desires exclusive devotion, a whole heart, not a divided one. This verse calls us to dismantle these spiritual "high places" in our lives, repenting of any form of idolatry and re-enthroning Christ as the undisputed Lord of all. It's a call to vigilance against subtle forms of idolatry that can subtly creep into our lives, diverting our worship and affections from the One who truly deserves them and who alone can truly satisfy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" (i.e., desires, pursuits, or relationships) might be competing for God's rightful place in my heart today?**
* **How does my daily life reflect whether God truly holds the preeminent position, or if I am "going" to other sources for fulfillment and security?**
* **What practical steps can I take to dismantle these "high places" and ensure my worship is exclusively devoted to God?**

### FAQ
**What exactly were "high places" (bâmâh) in ancient Israel, and why were they problematic?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: `bâmâh`) were elevated sites, either natural hills or constructed platforms, used for religious worship. While some may have initially been used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, they became problematic because they were frequently associated with idolatry and syncretism—the blending of Yahwistic worship with the pagan practices of the surrounding Canaanite cultures. These practices often included fertility rites, ritual prostitution, and even child sacrifice, all of which were detestable to God. God commanded the Israelites to worship Him exclusively at a single, centralized sanctuary (later the Temple in Jerusalem) to prevent such spiritual compromise and maintain the purity of their devotion, as seen in [Deuteronomy 12:2-5](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-5 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Sites"). The persistence of "high places" throughout Israel's history represented their chronic rebellion against God's covenant commands and a continual affront to His holiness.

**Why is the specific naming of "Bamah" significant in Ezekiel 20:29?**

Answer: The significance of "Bamah" in [Ezekiel 20:29](/ezekiel/20-29 "Ezekiel 20:29 - The High Place of Idolatry") lies in the powerful wordplay and irony. God asks, "What is the high place (bâmâh) whereunto ye go?" and then answers, "And the name thereof is called Bamah (Bâmâh) unto this day." This indicates that the generic term for these illicit worship sites (`bâmâh`) had become so synonymous with Israel's widespread and notorious idolatry that it was used as a proper noun (`Bâmâh`). It highlights that their rebellion was not hidden or occasional but was an open, recognized, and enduring practice. The very name they used for their worship sites became a testament to their spiritual unfaithfulness, making their sin undeniable and publicly acknowledged, even by themselves, serving as a permanent mark of their spiritual adultery.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:29, with its indictment of Israel's persistent idolatry at the "high places," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true and perfect "High Place" of worship and reconciliation. Israel continually sought spiritual satisfaction and security in false gods and forbidden altars, but Christ is the singular, divinely appointed means by which humanity can truly approach God. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making atonement for the very idolatry and rebellion that Ezekiel condemns. Through His sacrifice on the ultimate "high place" of Calvary, Jesus dismantled the power of sin and death, offering a new covenant where worship is no longer confined to physical locations like "high places" or even the Jerusalem Temple, but is to be offered [in spirit and truth](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). He is our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest") who has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, providing perfect and eternal access to God. Thus, in Christ, the persistent human tendency to create "high places" of idolatry is overcome by the one true [Way, Truth, and Life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life"), inviting us to find our complete satisfaction and worship in Him alone, for [in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - Christ's Fullness") and through Him, we are reconciled to God.

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 16:24

[That] thou hast also built unto thee an eminent place, and hast made thee an high place in every street.

Ezekiel 16:25

Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

Ezekiel 16:31

In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;