Ezekiel 16:20
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,
Ezekiel 16:20 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the book of Ezekiel, God is expressing his deep disappointment and anger with the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The verse speaks of a particularly heinous act of sacrificing their own children to false gods, which was considered the ultimate act of betrayal and disregard for the sanctity of life. This act symbolized the extent to which the people had strayed from God and his commandments. The verse ends with a rhetorical question, challenging the people to consider whether this grievous sin is a small matter in the grand scheme of their spiritual infidelity. Through this verse, God is condemning the people for their wholesale abandonment of him and their descent into depravity and immorality. It serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive consequences of turning away from God and placing other gods above him.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of Ezekiel 16:20, it is essential to understand the context in which the verse is situated. The verse speaks to the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, using the imagery of a faithless wife who commits adultery. God accuses the city of offering up their own children as sacrifices to foreign gods, an act which symbolizes their idolatry and departure from true worship. The theological implications of this verse highlight the seriousness of spiritual infidelity and the consequences of turning away from God. The word "whoredoms" in this verse carries a deep significance, implying not only physical promiscuity but also spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. By sacrificing their own children, the people of Jerusalem are depicted as betraying their covenant relationship with God and forsaking His commands. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining faithful to Him.
Ezekiel 16:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Were thy whoredoms a small matter,
World English Bible
Moreover you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to me, and you have sacrificed these to them to be devoured. Was your prostitution a small matter,
Douay-Rheims
And thou hast taken thy sons, and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne to me: and hast sacrificed the same to them to be devoured. Is thy fornication small?
Geneva Bible (1599)
Moreouer thou hast taken thy sonnes and thy daughters, whome thou hast borne vnto me, and these hast thou sacrificed vnto them, to be deuoured: is this thy whoredome a small matter?