Ezekiel 20 21

Ezekiel 20:21 kjv

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:21 nkjv

"Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments, 'which, if a man does, he shall live by them'; but they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:21 niv

"?'But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, "The person who obeys them will live by them," and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:21 esv

But the children rebelled against me. They did not walk in my statutes and were not careful to obey my rules, by which, if a person does them, he shall live; they profaned my Sabbaths. "Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:21 nlt

"But their children, too, rebelled against me. They refused to keep my decrees and follow my regulations, even though obedience would have given them life. And they also violated my Sabbath days. So again I threatened to pour out my fury on them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 21 Meaning

This verse signifies God's just response to the persistent rebellion of Israel, specifically their defiance by profaning His Sabbaths. The consequence is a pouring out of His indignation and wrath, reflecting divine holiness and the seriousness of covenantal disobedience.

Ezekiel 20 21 Context

Ezekiel 20 occurs as the prophet confronts Israel with their history of rebellion. This chapter details their repeated transgressions, starting from their time in Egypt. The focus sharpens on their disobedience in the wilderness and their continued disregard for God's laws and commands once they entered the Promised Land. Verse 21 specifically highlights the profaning of the Sabbath, which was a sign of the covenant. This defiance, repeated despite God's patience and provision, leads to the pronouncement of divine judgment upon them for their stubbornness.

Ezekiel 20 21 Word analysis

• "And (וְ - vav): Connective particle, linking this verse to the preceding ones, emphasizing continuity in Israel's rebellion.

• "they (הֵם - hem): Pronoun referring to the Israelites previously mentioned.

• "also (גַּם - gam): Emphasizes that profaning the Sabbaths was an additional act of rebellion, building upon previous sins.

• "profaned (חִלְּלוּ - chill'lu): Verb in the Qal perfect tense. Root meaning is "to defile," "to desecrate," or "to treat as common." It implies making something holy common, violating its sacred status.

• "My (אֶת - et): Direct object marker, preceding "Sabbaths."

• "Sabbaths" (שַׁבְּתוֹתַי - shabbatotai): Plural of shabbat (Sabbath). The possessive suffix indicates they were God's Sabbaths, given by Him. Profaning them was an affront to God Himself.

• "that (אֲשֶׁר - asher): Relative pronoun, introducing the clause describing the specific Sabbaths they profaned.

• "they (אֹתָם - otam): Direct object pronoun, referring back to "My Sabbaths."

• "might (לְמַעַן - lema'an): Preposition of purpose, indicating the intention or outcome of their actions.

• "be (לִהְיוֹת - lihyot): Infinitive of hayah (to be), expressing the purpose or result.

• "profaned" (לְחַלְּלָם - lechall'lam): Again, the verb chalal (to defile, profane) with the object pronoun. It emphasizes their deliberate intention to make God's holy days common or impure. This shows a pattern of habitual defiance, not accidental slips.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "profaned My Sabbaths": This phrase encapsulates the core sin addressed. The Sabbath was a divine institution, a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13). To profane it meant to disregard its sacredness, using the day for work or secular pursuits as if it were any other day.
  • "that they might be profaned": This part highlights Israel's intent or the inevitable consequence of their actions, revealing a conscious decision to violate God's command. It speaks of a pervasive cultural decay where holy things were treated lightly.

Ezekiel 20 21 Bonus section

The profanation of the Sabbath in the Old Testament often involved engaging in work, trade, or activities forbidden by the Law, essentially treating God's designated rest day as an ordinary day. This reflected a deeper issue of spiritual idolatry and a turning away from God. The New Testament expands the concept of the Sabbath rest, with the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who provides true rest for the soul (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:9-10). While the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Sabbath were fulfilled in Christ, the principle of consecrated time for worship and rest continues to be relevant for believers, as indicated by the importance of gathering for corporate worship.

Ezekiel 20 21 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:21 underscores the grave consequences of defiling God's Sabbath. The repeated profanation by Israel was not a minor offense but a direct rejection of God's authority and the covenant itself. God's righteous anger is evoked by this deliberate act of desecration. This serves as a stern warning against treating sacred institutions with contempt. The principle applies not only to the Old Testament Sabbath but to any divine ordinance; disrespecting what God has set apart incurs His displeasure. The historical context shows a pattern of breaking the covenant, making this a pivotal moment in God's judgment of their prolonged rebellion.