Ezekiel 33:20 kjv
Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
Ezekiel 33:20 nkjv
Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways."
Ezekiel 33:20 niv
Yet you Israelites say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to your own ways."
Ezekiel 33:20 esv
Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways."
Ezekiel 33:20 nlt
O people of Israel, you are saying, 'The Lord isn't doing what's right.' But I judge each of you according to your deeds."
Ezekiel 33 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 12:2, 3 | God says Ezekiel sees exile in vision, carried out in night | God's judgment visualized |
| Ezek 28:7 | Against Tyre, enemies brought against them | Judgment on enemies |
| Ezek 29:11, 12 | Egypt desolate for forty years, no nation will pass through | Divine desolation |
| Jer 22:24, 30 | Coniah will be carried to Babylon | Judgment on Jehoiachin |
| Ps 106:44, 45 | God relented for His covenant, showing mercy even in judgment | God's mercy in judgment |
| Deut 28:64-68 | Punishment for disobedience includes scattering among nations | Consequence of disobedience |
| Lev 26:17, 18 | Enemies oppress Israel; heaven like iron, earth like bronze | Judgment for breaking covenant |
| Hosea 9:17 | My God will cast them away; wanderers among nations | Divine rejection |
| Amos 3:2 | Only God knows families, will punish their iniquities | God's sovereignty and justice |
| Isa 10:5, 6 | Assyria used as God's rod against sinful people | Foreign nations as God's instrument |
| Zech 11:4-6 | Shepherd to be appointed over slaughter-sheep; I will not pity the inhabitants | Judgment upon Israel's leaders |
| Matt 24:1, 2 | Disciples remark on Temple's stones; Jesus predicts destruction | Fulfillment of prophecy |
| Luke 21:20, 24 | When Jerusalem surrounded by armies, its desolation near | Judgment on Jerusalem |
| Rev 17:1-18 | Babylon's judgment and fall | Divine judgment on sin |
| Rom 11:11, 12 | Israel stumbled that salvation might come to Gentiles | God's plan through Israel's fall |
| 1 Cor 11:32 | While judged, believers are chastened by the Lord | God's discipline |
| Heb 12:5-11 | God disciplines those He loves | Purpose of discipline |
| Gal 6:7, 8 | Reaping what is sown; spiritual sowing yields eternal life | Principle of sowing and reaping |
| 1 Pet 4:17 | Judgment begins with the house of God | Judgment begins at the church |
| Isa 6:11, 12 | Jerusalem desolate, land a waste | Description of desolation |
| Jer 20:11 | The Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; enemies will stumble | God's presence against enemies |
| Ps 35:1-3 | Contend, O Lord, against those who contend against me | God fights for His people |
| Jer 23:1 | Woe to the shepherds who destroy the sheep of my pasture | Judgment on false shepherds |
| Nahum 2:1 | Sacker approaches to scatter you | Judgment on Nineveh |
Ezekiel 33 verses
Ezekiel 33 20 Meaning
This verse states that God's hand is against the house of Israel, signifying divine judgment, and declares that they will be carried away by the enemy because of their iniquity.
Ezekiel 33 20 Context
Ezekiel chapter 33 continues God's message of hope and restoration, but it begins with judgment. In the preceding verses, Ezekiel acted as a watchman for Israel, warning them of their sins and the impending judgment. Verse 1-6 established his role. However, in this verse, God speaks directly, emphasizing the certainty of their downfall and scattering because of their persistent rebellion and iniquity, even as Jerusalem was about to fall. This chapter also highlights God's desire for the sinner to turn from their ways and live, connecting divine judgment with a call to repentance.
Ezekiel 33 20 Word Analysis
"Yet": Introduces a contrast, following the idea of a message of hope or a specific role described before.
"Son of man": (Hebrew: בֶּן־אָדָם, ben-adam) - A recurring title for Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and his role as God's representative to His people. It signifies both humility and authority in receiving divine communication.
"say to it": The imperative verb indicates a direct command for Ezekiel to deliver this message.
"Thus says the LORD": (Hebrew: כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, koh amar YHWH) - A formal declaration signifying God's own authoritative pronouncement. This phrase underscores the divine origin and absolute truth of the message.
"My house": Refers to Israel, both as the covenant people of God and as the land/nation entrusted to them, often associated with the Temple. The house of Israel is understood as God's dwelling in covenant.
"Israel": The covenant nation. The focus is on the collective entity and its people.
"has become like leaven": (Hebrew: הָיָה כַמַּחְמֶצֶת, hayah kamachmetzet) - Leaven in Jewish thought is often associated with corruption, sin, and pervasiveness. Israel's iniquity has spread and corrupted its spiritual state, making it utterly spoiled and requiring purging. This metaphor highlights the pervasive nature of their sin.
"iniquity": (Hebrew: עָוֹן, avon) - Implies guilt and perversity. It goes beyond mere transgression to a bending or twisting of what is right, a deep-seated wrongness.
"their bones": A strong Hebrew idiom referring to their very being, their inner strength, or their deepest parts. It emphasizes the profound and thorough nature of the judgment affecting them. This imagery conveys a complete disintegration and defeat.
"be in it": Connects the state of their "bones" to being "in" the house of Israel, meaning their corrupted nature is within them.
"My hand is against them": This is a strong metaphor indicating direct divine opposition and punitive action. God Himself is the source of the judgment.
"and I will remove them": (Hebrew: וְנִשַּׁאתִי, venisáti) - Primarily means "carry away" or "lift up," but in context, it signifies being carried off into exile or destruction. It's an active removal by divine power.
"for their iniquity": The reason for the judgment is their pervasive sinfulness.
"and I will carry them out": Reinforces the act of removal or exile.
Ezekiel 33 20 Bonus Section
The imagery of "their bones be in it" is quite visceral. It speaks to a complete internal decay within the nation, not just an external appearance of wrongdoing. It can be likened to a disease that affects the very marrow. This underscores that the judgment is not superficial but penetrates to the core of their being and existence as a people. The parallel structure of "My hand is against them" and "I will carry them out" emphasizes God's direct agency in both initiating and executing the judgment, leaving no room for ambiguity about who is responsible for their coming desolation. The prophecy, while harsh, aligns with God's commitment to justice against unrepented sin, even for His chosen people, yet it also sets the stage for eventual restoration when repentance occurs.
Ezekiel 33 20 Commentary
This verse powerfully asserts the inevitability of divine judgment due to persistent iniquity. God's "hand" being against Israel signifies His active opposition, not just passive observation. The metaphor of Israel becoming "like leaven" implies that their sin is not a singular act but a pervasive corruption that has ruined their spiritual essence. The judgment is absolute and will involve removal and scattering, fulfilling previous prophetic warnings. The focus on "their bones" suggests a deep, existential destruction, leaving nothing substantial remaining. Despite past covenants and God's inherent mercy, continued rebellion brings severe consequence, illustrating the principle of reaping what one sows. This judgment, however, is also presented as a necessary purging.