Ezekiel 6:3

And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

And say {H559}, Ye mountains {H2022} of Israel {H3478}, hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}; Thus saith {H559} the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} to the mountains {H2022}, and to the hills {H1389}, to the rivers {H650}, and to the valleys {H1516}; Behold, I, even I, will bring {H935} a sword {H2719} upon you, and I will destroy {H6} your high places {H1116}.

'Mountains of Isra'el, hear the word of Adonai ELOHIM: here is what Adonai ELOHIM says about the mountains, hills, ravines and valleys: "I myself will bring a sword against you and destroy your high places.

You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Context of Ezekiel 6:3

Ezekiel 6:3 is part of a prophetic oracle delivered by the prophet Ezekiel to the exiled Israelites in Babylon, directed towards the land of Israel itself. At this time, Jerusalem had not yet fallen, but its destruction was imminent due to the nation's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God. This chapter specifically targets the deeply entrenched pagan worship practices in the land, particularly the use of "high places" and other natural geographical features for idolatrous rituals. God is speaking directly to the physical land—its mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys—to underscore the comprehensive nature of His impending judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment Against Idolatry: The primary message is God's fierce and unyielding judgment against the widespread idolatry in Israel. The "high places" were centers of pagan worship, where Israelites engaged in practices forbidden by the Mosaic Law, often involving child sacrifice and sexual immorality. God declares He will bring a "sword" upon the land, signifying war, destruction, and divine retribution for their spiritual unfaithfulness.
  • God's Sovereignty Over the Land: By addressing the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys, the verse emphasizes God's absolute dominion not only over the people but over the very physical landscape they inhabited. The land itself, which had been defiled by idolatry, would bear the brunt of His wrath. This comprehensive judgment illustrates that no part of the nation or its territory would escape the consequences of sin.
  • Consequences of Persistent Rebellion: The passage highlights the severe and inescapable consequences of long-term rebellion against God's commands. Despite repeated warnings through prophets, Israel continued in its idolatrous ways, leading to this pronouncement of devastating judgment. This reflects God's justice in holding His covenant people accountable for their actions, as warned in Leviticus 26:30.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lord GOD" in the KJV often translates the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and His covenant relationship with Israel. The term "high places" translates the Hebrew word bamot (plural of bamah), which refers to elevated sites used for cultic worship, often dedicated to foreign deities like Baal and Asherah. The destruction of these bamot was a recurring theme in prophetic warnings against idolatry, symbolizing the eradication of false worship from the land.

Related Scriptures

This prophecy echoes themes found throughout the Old Testament concerning God's judgment on idolatry. The concept of God addressing the physical elements of creation is also seen in Isaiah 1:2, where heaven and earth are called to witness Israel's rebellion. The "sword" as an instrument of divine wrath is a common prophetic motif, as seen in Jeremiah 9:16. The destruction of pagan altars and high places is a recurring command and consequence in the Law and Prophets, underscoring God's demand for exclusive worship.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 6:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's abhorrence of idolatry, which extends beyond physical idols to anything that takes precedence over Him in our lives. This could include wealth, success, relationships, or even self-worship. The verse teaches us that God's judgment is just and comprehensive, affecting every aspect of a life or society that turns away from Him. It calls believers to examine their hearts for any "high places" of sin or misplaced devotion and to commit to seeking God first, ensuring that our worship is pure and undivided. True worship involves not just outward acts but a heart fully devoted to the Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 26:30

    And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

  • Jeremiah 3:23

    Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 36:1

    ¶ Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD:

  • Ezekiel 36:4

    Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that [are] round about;

  • Ezekiel 36:8

    But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.

  • Jeremiah 2:20

    ¶ For of old time I have broken thy yoke, [and] burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

  • 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.

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