Ezekiel 20 1

Ezekiel 20:1 kjv

And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

Ezekiel 20:1 nkjv

It came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

Ezekiel 20:1 niv

In the seventh year, in the fifth month on the tenth day, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and they sat down in front of me.

Ezekiel 20:1 esv

In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.

Ezekiel 20:1 nlt

On August 14, during the seventh year of King Jehoiachin's captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the LORD. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 1 Meaning

This verse establishes the precise time and setting for the extensive prophecy that follows in Ezekiel chapter 20. It describes the arrival of a group of Israelite elders, prominent leaders among the exiles in Babylon, who came to the prophet Ezekiel with the intention of consulting or seeking a word from the Lord. Their act of "sitting before" Ezekiel signifies a formal and attentive posture, indicating their anticipation of a divine oracle from God through His prophet. However, the subsequent narrative reveals that their seeking was not born of genuine repentance but of mere curiosity or a desire for validation, which God immediately addresses with a strong rebuke concerning their long history of rebellion.

Ezekiel 20 1 Context

This verse initiates a significant new prophetic message within Ezekiel's book, dated precisely to the seventh year of Jehoiachin's exile (approximately 591 BC). This is two years after the prophecies found in Ezekiel chapters 8-11, where Ezekiel had already denounced the elders for their idolatry in Jerusalem and revealed the glory of God departing the Temple. Here, these elders are part of the exiled community in Babylon, physically separated from Jerusalem but evidently not spiritually purified. The historical context is one of a defeated nation, held captive, struggling with identity and seeking divine direction. This inquiry by the elders sets the stage for God's detailed indictment of Israel's long and unrepentant history of rebellion against His laws, culminating in the declaration that He would not be inquired of by them in their current state of heart. The chapter highlights a pervasive problem: a form of seeking God while still clinging to idolatry and rejecting His commands.

Ezekiel 20 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: A common transitional phrase in Hebrew narrative, often signaling a new episode or section. Here it highlights the start of a distinct prophetic sequence.
• in the seventh year: bishnat ha-shevi‘ith (בַּשָּׁנָה הַשְּׁבִיעִית). This date is key to the meticulous chronology found throughout Ezekiel, measured from King Jehoiachin's captivity (Ezek 1:2). It points to a precise moment in the exile (c. 591 BC), roughly six years before the fall of Jerusalem, providing a temporal anchor for the prophecy's relevance.
• in the fifth month: bachodesh hachamishi (בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁי). This month, Av, was significant as it commemorated the destruction of the First Temple, a time of fasting and lament for the Jews, adding a layer of pathos to their inquiry.
• the tenth day of the month: ba-asor lachodesh (בֶּעָשׂוֹר לַחֹדֶשׁ). This specific day often held religious significance. In later history, it became known as Tisha B'Av, commemorating the temple's destruction, and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in the seventh month. This exact dating underscores the precise, divinely orchestrated nature of the prophetic encounter.
• that certain of the elders of Israel: ishim mizikne Yisrael (אֲנָשִׁים מִזִּקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). These "elders" (zaqen) were established leaders within the exiled community. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, elders held judicial, administrative, and religious authority, representing the community. Their collective inquiry signifies an official approach to God's prophet on behalf of the exiles, yet the preceding chapters show their pervasive idolatry and hypocrisy.
• came to enquire of the Lord: ba’u lidrosh eth Yahweh (בָּאוּ לִדְרֹשׁ אֶת־יְהוָה). "Enquire" translates the Hebrew verb darash (דָּרַשׁ), which means "to seek," "to consult," or "to ask counsel." It often implies a desire for divine guidance, instruction, or a word from God regarding a situation or the future. However, in the context of Israel's ongoing rebellion, as Ezekiel 14 and 20 itself illustrate, such seeking could be superficial, without a heart devoted to obedience. It’s an outward act, but the heart might be far from Him.
• and sat before me: vayyeshvu lifnai (וַיֵּשְׁבוּ לְפָנָי). This posture indicates a respectful, attentive, and perhaps expectant stance before the prophet. It implies their recognition of Ezekiel as a conduit for divine communication, even if their motives were mixed. Their formal sitting emphasizes the gravity of their consultation, though God quickly punctures their pretenses.

Ezekiel 20 1 Bonus section

The frequent mentioning of specific dates in Ezekiel, as seen in this verse, serves multiple purposes. It validates Ezekiel's prophetic claims by anchoring them to historical reality, allowing readers (including exiles) to precisely track the unfolding of divine judgments and promises. These chronological markers also create a structured narrative, indicating the progression of God's revelation. Furthermore, the selection of the fifth month, particularly the tenth day, might hint at its solemn nature, perhaps related to upcoming days of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, suggesting that even in times of somber reflection, Israel's core issue of idolatry and rebellion persisted. The tension between the elders' outward formality (sitting respectfully) and their inward spiritual corruption (as revealed by God's ensuing message) is a central theme in this encounter and across biblical prophecy, warning against empty ritual without transformed hearts.

Ezekiel 20 1 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:1 marks a crucial juncture, revealing the deep-seated hypocrisy within the exiled community. Despite facing judgment and having experienced God's departure from His temple, the leaders of Israel — the very "elders" entrusted with guiding the people — persisted in an outward show of religiosity while their hearts remained polluted with idolatry. Their "inquiry" of the Lord was not driven by true repentance or a humble desire to conform to God's will, but rather sought God for information, validation, or perhaps relief from their predicament, much like one might consult a wise man or an oracle without changing one's ways. The precise dating highlights the historical accuracy of Ezekiel's prophecies and God's interaction with His people in time. This seemingly routine visit sets the stage for one of Ezekiel's most potent prophecies: a long historical survey of Israel's relentless rebellion and God's just, though long-suffering, responses. The entire exchange underscores the critical distinction between outward religious acts and genuine, heartfelt seeking of God in truth and obedience.