Ezekiel 20 7

Ezekiel 20:7 kjv

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 20:7 nkjv

Then I said to them, 'Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'

Ezekiel 20:7 niv

And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

Ezekiel 20:7 esv

And I said to them, 'Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.'

Ezekiel 20:7 nlt

Then I said to them, 'Each of you, get rid of the vile images you are so obsessed with. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt, for I am the LORD your God.'

Ezekiel 20 verses

Ezekiel 20 7 Meaning

In Ezekiel 20:7, God recalls His initial command to the Israelites while they were still in Egypt. He demanded that each individual completely discard the detestable idols they observed and desired, warning them not to become ritually or spiritually defiled by engaging with the gods of Egypt. This divine injunction was predicated on His exclusive identity as "the LORD your God," establishing His unique claim over them as His chosen people, delivered from slavery.

Ezekiel 20 7 Context

Ezekiel chapter 20 presents a review of Israel's history of rebellion against God, beginning from their time in Egypt. The elders of Israel came to Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord, but God initially refused to answer them because of their idolatry (Ezek 20:1-3). Instead, He recounted His relationship with Israel, highlighting their consistent defection despite His grace. Verse 7 specifically refers to God's early instruction to them while still enslaved in Egypt, before the Exodus, underscoring that their tendency towards idolatry was not new but present from the very beginning of their national formation. Historically, Israelites were exposed to and often adopted the elaborate polytheistic worship practices of Egypt, which included various deities associated with nature, animals, and human activities. This command from God served as an early warning against syncretism and established the foundation for the exclusive worship demanded by the future Sinai covenant.

Ezekiel 20 7 Word analysis

• Cast ye away (הַשְׁלִיכוּ, hashlichu):
  • Hiphil imperative form of שָׁלַךְ (shalakh).
  • Implies a decisive, forceful, and immediate action to throw away or discard something objectionable. It's a command for complete severance.
  • Signifies a definitive break from past practices and objects.
• every man (אִישׁ, ish):
  • Emphasizes individual responsibility. Each person was personally accountable for removing idols from their sphere of influence and heart.
  • Idolatry was not merely a communal sin but a personal failing.
• abominations (שִׁקּוּצִים, shiqutzim):
  • Plural of שִׁקּוּץ (shiqutz), referring to detestable, disgusting, or loathsome things.
  • Specifically denotes idols and pagan religious practices, viewed with utter revulsion by God.
  • Often associated with rituals that are ritually and morally impure.
• of his eyes (עֵינָיו, einav):
  • Literally "his eyes," referring to what a person looks at, sees, or is drawn to.
  • Signifies the source of temptation and desire; idols that were visually appealing or perceived as beneficial.
  • The "eyes" here represent not just sight, but also lust, covetousness, and the internal inclination of the heart. What one looks upon can defile the inner being (Num 15:39; 1 Jn 2:16).
• and defile not yourselves (וְאַל-תִּטַּמְּאוּ, v'al-titam'mu):
  • Negative Hithpael imperative of טָמֵא (tame'), "to be or become unclean/defiled."
  • "Hithpael" tense implies active participation, warning against making themselves unclean. It's a self-inflicted defilement.
  • This defilement is both ritual (separation from holy things) and spiritual (separation from God due to sin).
• with the idols (בְּגִלּוּלֵי, b'gillulei):
  • Plural of גִּלּוּלִים (gillulim), a derogatory and contemptuous term for idols, often translated as "dung-gods," "fetid things," or "blocks of wood."
  • It strips pagan deities of any perceived majesty, reducing them to mere filth or worthless objects in God's eyes.
  • This polemic term mocks the perceived power or sanctity of false gods.
• of Egypt (מִצְרַיִם, Mitzrayim):
  • Specifies the immediate and direct source of idolatry the Israelites were entangled with.
  • Highlights the paradox: God was liberating them from physical bondage to Egypt, but they were spiritually bound to its gods.
• I am the LORD your God (אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Ani YHVH Eloheichem):
  • The covenantal declaration of divine identity, central to the Pentateuch.
  • I am (אֲנִי, Ani): Emphasizes His self-existence and sovereign authority.
  • the LORD (יְהוָה, YHVH): The sacred, personal name of Israel's covenant God, revealed as the one who exists and acts in history, particularly in redemption.
  • your God (אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, Eloheichem): Establishes an exclusive and intimate relationship; He alone is Israel's true deity.
  • This formula serves as the theological basis for all divine commands and the demand for exclusive loyalty. It asserts His uniqueness and rights over them.

Ezekiel 20 7 Bonus section

The consistent use of "gillulim" throughout Ezekiel (often appearing with "shiqutzim") for idols is a significant linguistic feature demonstrating the prophet's emphasis on God's utter revulsion. It serves a strong polemic purpose against any notion of divine power or worth in pagan deities, categorizing them as spiritual "dung" rather than divine beings. This strong language emphasizes that idolatry is not merely a lesser form of worship but a direct offense against God's holiness that defiles both the worshiper and the land. In the New Testament, this principle of avoiding defilement by idols extends beyond physical statues to anything that occupies the preeminent place meant for God in a person's life, such as greed (Col 3:5), lust, or materialism, underscoring that the struggle for exclusive devotion to the One True God remains relevant.

Ezekiel 20 7 Commentary

Ezekiel 20:7 encapsulates God's foundational demand for exclusive worship and purity from His people at the very outset of their journey as a nation. It reveals Israel's propensity for idolatry even before the Sinai covenant, rejecting God's holiness despite experiencing His presence and power. The command to "cast away" underscores the radical break required from the allure and practices of the surrounding culture. The phrase "abominations of his eyes" highlights the inner root of idolatry, springing from covetous desire ignited by what is seen. The use of contemptuous terms like "gillulim" for "idols" showcases God's utter disdain for anything that usurps His unique place. The ultimate ground for this demand is His sovereign declaration: "I am the LORD your God," a statement of His exclusive identity, covenant faithfulness, and right to absolute obedience. This verse reveals God's persistent grace in reminding them of their original failure while offering another chance, even as He recounts their perpetual rebellion.