Ezekiel 6:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 6:3 presents a solemn prophetic oracle from the Lord GOD, directed not only to the people of Israel but emphatically to the very landscape of the land—its mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys. This verse declares an imminent and devastating divine judgment, symbolized by the "sword," which will sweep across the land, specifically targeting and promising the absolute destruction of the "high places" where pervasive idolatrous worship and abominable rituals were practiced. It profoundly underscores God's unyielding resolve to purify His consecrated land from the deep-seated defilement of persistent spiritual rebellion and covenant infidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 6:3 is an integral part of a comprehensive prophetic indictment against the rampant idolatry practiced throughout the land of Israel, as detailed in Ezekiel chapter 6. The preceding verses [Ezekiel 6:1-2](/ezekiel/6-1-2 "Ezekiel 6:1-2 - Prophecy Against the Mountains of Israel") set the stage by commanding Ezekiel to "set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them," thereby establishing the unique audience for this divine message. Verse 3 then delivers the direct pronouncement of judgment to these geographical features, emphasizing the pervasive nature of Israel's sin. The subsequent verses [Ezekiel 6:4-7](/ezekiel/6-4-7 "Ezekiel 6:4-7 - Desolation of Idolatrous Sites") elaborate on the horrific extent of this judgment, describing the desecration of altars, the scattering of bones around idols, and the utter desolation of the high places, culminating in the declaration that the survivors will "know that I am the LORD." This immediate literary context underscores the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the impending destruction, directly linking it to the deep-seated and widespread sin of idolatry that had corrupted every corner of the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, in the early 6th century BCE. The southern kingdom was facing its final demise at the hands of the Babylonian Empire, with Jerusalem having already endured one significant deportation in 597 BCE, which included Ezekiel himself. Despite repeated warnings from earlier prophets, the people remaining in the land continued their syncretistic religious practices, blending the worship of Yahweh with the idolatrous cults of Canaanite deities such as Baal and Asherah. The "high places" (Hebrew: *bâmôt*) were elevated sites, either natural hills or artificial mounds, that had historically served as places of worship. While some may have initially been dedicated to Yahweh, they increasingly became centers for forbidden pagan rituals, including child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and the erection of altars and Asherah poles to foreign gods. The prophetic address to the physical land—mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys—reflects the deeply ingrained nature of this idolatry, which had permeated the very fabric of the territory. The "sword" was the common instrument of warfare and conquest in the ancient Near East, serving as God's chosen means of executing judgment through invading armies, a reality Judah was about to experience profoundly.
* **Key Themes:** Ezekiel 6:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes present within the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment Against Idolatry**, illustrating God's absolute intolerance for spiritual unfaithfulness and covenant infidelity. The destruction of the "high places" is a direct, unavoidable consequence of Israel's persistent rebellion, a theme consistently reinforced throughout the Old Testament, as seen in the commands to destroy such sites in [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2-3 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Sites"). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty Over All Creation**, demonstrating that His dominion extends not only over human actions but also over the physical land itself. The land, having been defiled by the inhabitants' sin, becomes an object of divine judgment, signifying the comprehensive reach of God's wrath against rebellion, a concept also found in [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants"). Thirdly, the passage emphasizes the **Consequences of Persistent Rebellion**, showing that despite God's long-suffering patience and numerous prophetic warnings, unrepentant sin inevitably leads to severe and inescapable retribution. The "sword" here symbolizes the devastating outcome of rejecting God's covenant and commands, a motif frequently employed in prophetic warnings, such as in [Jeremiah 9:16](/jeremiah/9-16 "Jeremiah 9:16 - The Sword of Judgment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** From an unused root meaning "to be high," this term (H1116) refers to an elevation, a height, or, in this context, specifically a cultic site. In Israel's history, *bâmâh* often denoted elevated locations used for worship, which, while sometimes initially dedicated to Yahweh, frequently became centers for syncretistic or purely pagan worship of foreign deities like Baal and Asherah. Their destruction signified the eradication of false worship and the purging of spiritual defilement from the land.
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** This word (H2719) denotes a cutting instrument, such as a knife, dagger, or sword, and is frequently used metaphorically in prophetic literature to represent war, destruction, and divine judgment. Here, it signifies the impending military invasion and devastation that God will bring upon the land of Israel as a direct consequence of its widespread idolatry and covenant infidelity.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to speak," *dâbâr* (H1697) is a versatile term encompassing "a word," "a matter," "a thing," or "a decree." In this context, the command to "hear the word of the Lord GOD" emphasizes that the prophecy is not merely human utterance but a direct, authoritative, and binding message from the sovereign God, carrying the full weight of His divine will and the certainty of His impending action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD;":** This opening clause establishes the divine imperative given to Ezekiel, commanding him to address the literal geographical features of Israel. The personification of the mountains as recipients of God's word underscores the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment and God's absolute sovereignty over the land itself, which had been thoroughly defiled by idolatry. The use of "Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) emphasizes God's supreme authority and His covenant faithfulness, even as He prepares to execute judgment.
* **"Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys;":** This reiteration serves to reinforce the directness, solemnity, and undeniable certainty of the divine pronouncement. By explicitly listing various geographical features—mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys—God highlights that no part of the land, no corner where idolatry might have been practiced, would escape His notice or His impending judgment. It signifies a universal and inescapable decree, affecting the entire territory of Israel.
* **"Behold, I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.":** This is the stark and unambiguous declaration of judgment. The emphatic "I, even I" underscores God's personal agency, unwavering resolve, and sovereign power in executing this judgment. The "sword" symbolizes the devastating warfare, invasion, and destruction that would sweep through the land, while the specific target, "your high places," reveals the primary cause of this divine wrath: the pervasive and persistent idolatry that had corrupted the nation. The destruction of these cultic sites signifies God's decisive purification of the land from its spiritual defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 6:3 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of impending judgment with dramatic force. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the inanimate geographical features of Israel—its mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys—are addressed as if they possess the capacity to hear and respond to the divine word. This technique not only adds a profound sense of dramatic urgency but also emphasizes the pervasive nature of Israel's sin, which had so thoroughly defiled the very land itself, and the comprehensive scope of God's judgment, which would impact every part of the territory. The "sword" functions as a powerful **Metaphor** for divine judgment, war, and widespread destruction, a common prophetic image that vividly portrays the violent and devastating consequences of Israel's rebellion. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "Lord GOD" and the emphatic "I, even I" serve as forms of **Anaphora** and **Intensification**, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty, His unwavering resolve, and the undeniable certainty of His promised judgment. This rhetorical force leaves no doubt that the impending catastrophe is directly from the hand of the Almighty God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 6:3 stands as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice, His absolute holiness, and His fierce opposition to idolatry. It reveals that God's concern extends beyond the actions of individuals to encompass the spiritual health of the entire nation and the purity of the land He has consecrated for Himself. The declared destruction of the "high places" signifies God's unyielding commitment to purging all forms of spiritual defilement and reclaiming His rightful place as the sole object of worship for His people. This judgment, though severe and devastating, is rooted in God's covenant faithfulness, holding His people accountable for their repeated and egregious breaches of His commands. It underscores the undeniable truth that persistent rebellion against divine truth and unrepentant sin inevitably lead to inevitable and comprehensive consequences, demonstrating that God's patience has limits and His justice will ultimately prevail.

* [Leviticus 26:30](/leviticus/26-30 "Leviticus 26:30 - God's Warning Against High Places")
* [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2-3 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Sites")
* [Numbers 33:52](/numbers/33-52 "Numbers 33:52 - Destroying Idolatrous Places in Canaan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 6:3 serves as a powerful and timeless call to profound self-examination regarding what constitutes "high places" in our lives today. While we may no longer erect physical altars to ancient deities, modern idolatry can manifest as anything that subtly or overtly displaces God from His rightful, supreme position in our hearts and lives. This could include an inordinate pursuit of wealth, social status, comfort, personal pleasure, relationships, or even self-righteousness, all of which can become objects of ultimate devotion that compete with our allegiance to God. The comprehensive nature of God's judgment upon the land of Israel reminds us that spiritual compromise and divided loyalties have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only our individual spiritual well-being but potentially our families, communities, and even broader society. This verse challenges us to diligently identify and courageously dismantle these spiritual "high places" within ourselves, to repent of any divided affections, and to cultivate a life of undivided and exclusive devotion to the Lord. It serves as a compelling call to purity of worship, urging us to ensure that our hearts, minds, and lives are truly consecrated to God alone, free from any competing allegiances or hidden idols.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or hidden idols might subtly or overtly exist in my own life, competing for the supreme devotion due to God alone?**
* **How does the comprehensive nature of God's judgment in this verse deepen my understanding of His holiness, justice, and the seriousness of sin?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take this week to dismantle any identified "high places" and ensure my worship and devotion are truly undivided and centered on God?**
* **In what ways can I apply the principle of dismantling "high places" to areas of cultural or societal idolatry that impact my faith or the witness of the church?**

### FAQ
**Why does God address the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys, rather than just the people?**

Answer: God addresses the physical landscape of Israel to powerfully emphasize the pervasive and deeply entrenched nature of the nation's idolatry. The "high places" (idolatrous altars and cultic sites) were often built on these natural elevations, thereby defiling the very land God had given to His people as a sacred trust. By speaking directly to the land itself, God underscores His absolute sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that no part of the territory, no corner where sin had taken root, would escape His notice or His impending judgment. It signifies a comprehensive purification, as the land itself had become complicit in the nation's spiritual rebellion, having been polluted by their abominable practices (cf. [Leviticus 18:25](/leviticus/18-25 "Leviticus 18:25 - The Land Vomits Out Its Inhabitants")). This personification also highlights the shame and desolation that would befall the land, mirroring the spiritual state of its inhabitants.

**What exactly were "high places" and why were they so offensive to God?**

Answer: "High places" (Hebrew: *bâmâh*) were elevated sites, often natural hills or man-made mounds, that were used for religious worship. While some may have initially been used for legitimate worship of Yahweh, over time they increasingly became centers for syncretistic worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with the pagan practices of surrounding Canaanite cultures. They were typically equipped with altars, sacred stones (massebot), and Asherah poles, and were associated with forbidden rituals, including child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and the worship of foreign deities like Baal and Molech. They were profoundly offensive to God because they represented a direct and egregious violation of His command for exclusive worship (the First Commandment, [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")) and a corruption of the unique covenant relationship He had established with Israel. God demanded pure, undivided, and exclusive devotion, and the high places symbolized Israel's spiritual infidelity and rebellion against His holiness.

**Does this verse imply that God is destructive or vengeful?**

Answer: While the language of "sword" and "destroy" certainly conveys severity and judgment, it is crucial to understand this within the broader biblical narrative of God's character, which encompasses both justice and profound love. God is indeed just and holy, and His judgment is a righteous and necessary response to persistent sin and unrepentant rebellion against His covenant. For centuries, God had patiently warned Israel through numerous prophets, offering repeated opportunities for repentance and restoration. The judgment pronounced in Ezekiel 6:3 is not arbitrary vengeance but a necessary consequence of Israel's unrepentant idolatry and spiritual infidelity. It serves to vindicate God's holiness, purify the land that had been defiled, and ultimately bring His people to a place of knowing Him truly. Even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is often redemptive, aiming to bring His people back to Himself in genuine repentance and renewed covenant relationship, as seen in the promises of restoration later in Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:24-28](/ezekiel/36-24-28 "Ezekiel 36:24-28 - The Promise of a New Heart and Spirit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 6:3, with its stark pronouncement of judgment against the "high places" of idolatry and the promise of a devastating "sword," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound spiritual transformation in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament judgment brought a physical "sword" to destroy literal high places and their associated abominations, Christ's coming ushered in a new covenant where the battle against idolatry is waged definitively in the spiritual realm and within the human heart. Jesus, as the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against all sin, including every form of idolatry, on the cross. His sacrifice at Calvary was the ultimate "destruction" of the power of sin and false worship, making a way for reconciliation with a holy God. Through His resurrection and ascension, Christ established a new spiritual temple, not made with human hands, but composed of believers, where authentic worship is to be offered in [spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). The Old Testament call to "destroy your high places" for the New Testament believer translates to the ongoing process of sanctification, where we are called to [put to death what is earthly in us](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things"), casting down every idol, stronghold, and proud pretension that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (cf. [2 Corinthians 10:5](/2_corinthians/10-5 "2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking Every Thought Captive")). In Christ, the judgment against idolatry has been fully satisfied, and believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of undivided devotion, presenting their bodies as a [living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice"), which is their true and spiritual act of worship.

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

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.