Ezekiel 16:21
Ezekiel 16:21 in Multiple Translations
You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.
That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?
that thou hast slain my children, and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire unto them?
That you put my children to death and gave them up to go through the fire to them?
You slaughtered my children, sacrificing them to idols.
That thou hast slaine my children, and deliuered them to cause them to passe through fire for them?
That thou dost slaughter My sons, And dost give them up in causing them to pass over to them?
that you have slain my children and delivered them up, in causing them to pass through the fire to them?
That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?
Thou hast sacrificed and given my children to them, consecrating them by fire.
You slaughtered those who were like [MET] my children, and offered them to be sacrifices to the gods!
Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 16:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ezekiel 16:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַֽ/תִּשְׁחֲטִ֖י
אֶת
בָּנָ֑/י
וַֽ/תִּתְּנִ֔י/ם
בְּ/הַעֲבִ֥יר
אוֹתָ֖/ם
לָ/הֶֽם
וַֽ/תִּשְׁחֲטִ֖י
shâchaṭ
H7819
to slaughter
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בָּנָ֑/י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
וַֽ/תִּתְּנִ֔י/ם
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs | Suff
בְּ/הַעֲבִ֥יר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אוֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
לָ/הֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 16:21
וַֽ/תִּשְׁחֲטִ֖י
shâchaṭ
H7819
"to slaughter"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs
This Hebrew word means to slaughter, often used in the context of sacrifice or massacre, as seen in the KJV translations of kill, offer, or slay.
Definition: v 1) to kill, slaughter, beat 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter 1a1a) beast for food 1a1b) sacrifice 1a1c) person in human sacrifice 1a1d) beaten, hammered (of shekels) 1b) (Niphal) to be slaughtered, be slain (of food or sacrifice) Also means: sha.chat (שָׁחוּט "beaten" H7820)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter. See also: Genesis 22:10; Leviticus 16:15; Isaiah 22:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בָּנָ֑/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וַֽ/תִּתְּנִ֔י/ם
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2fs | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בְּ/הַעֲבִ֥יר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
אוֹתָ֖/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
לָ/הֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Ezekiel 16:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ezekiel 16:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
- Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
- Sermons on Ezekiel 16:21
Context — Jerusalem’s Unfaithfulness
19And you set before them as a pleasing aroma the food I had given you—the fine flour, oil, and honey that I had fed you. That is what happened, declares the Lord GOD.
20You even took the sons and daughters you bore to Me and sacrificed them as food to idols. Was your prostitution not enough?
21You slaughtered My children and delivered them up through the fire to idols.
22And in all your abominations and acts of prostitution, you did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked and bare, wallowing in your own blood. 23Woe! Woe to you, declares the Lord GOD. And in addition to all your other wickedness,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 17:17 | They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. |
| 2 | Leviticus 18:21 | You must not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 18:10 | Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, |
| 4 | Psalms 106:37 | They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 19:5 | They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter My mind. |
| 6 | Leviticus 20:1–5 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him. And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name. And if the people of the land ever hide their eyes and fail to put to death the man who gives one of his children to Molech, then I will set My face against that man and his family and cut off from among their people both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molech. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 21:6 | He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. |
| 8 | 2 Kings 23:10 | He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. |
Ezekiel 16:21 Summary
[Ezekiel 16:21 is a heart-wrenching verse where God expresses His deep sorrow and anger towards the Israelites for sacrificing their own children to idols. This act was a terrible rebellion against God, who had given them life and provision, as seen in Exodus 4:22-23 and Isaiah 43:6-7. In simple terms, it means that the Israelites were so caught up in their own sinful desires that they were willing to hurt and destroy the very people God had given them to love and care for. This verse reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that God takes seriously our treatment of others, especially the vulnerable and the innocent, as taught in Psalm 82:3-4 and Matthew 18:10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'slaughter My children' in Ezekiel 16:21?
In this verse, God is speaking of the Israelites sacrificing their own children to idols, which is a horrific act of disobedience and rebellion against Him, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:31 and Jeremiah 32:35.
Why did the Israelites engage in such a terrible practice?
The Israelites were influenced by the surrounding pagan cultures and their idolatrous practices, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:9-12, and they forgot the ways of the Lord, leading them to commit such atrocities.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse reveals God's heart of love and protection for His people, as well as His righteous anger and judgment against those who harm and exploit the innocent, as seen in Psalm 36:7 and Isaiah 1:17.
What can we learn from this verse about our relationship with God?
We can learn that our actions have consequences, and that God takes seriously our treatment of the vulnerable and the innocent, as taught in Proverbs 24:23-25 and Matthew 25:31-46.
Reflection Questions
- How have I, like the Israelites, compromised my faith by embracing worldly values or practices that contradict God's commands?
- What are some modern-day 'idols' that I may be 'sacrificing' my time, energy, or resources to, instead of giving them to God?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my love and obedience to God, especially in my treatment of the vulnerable and the innocent?
- How can I balance God's justice and mercy in my own life, recognizing that He is both a God of love and a God of righteousness?
Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 16:21
That thou hast slain my children,.... By creation, as all born into the world are; and by national adoption, as all the Jewish children were; and particularly the firstborn were eminently his, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 16:21
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
Thy blind superstition called this religion, and accounted it sacrifice, but truth is it was unnatural murder; it is as if thou hadst cut their throat, nay, worse, because it put them to greater torture. The word is used . My children; sons here are first-born, which peculiarly were devoted to God, he reserved a special right in these, and yet this cruel mother, this perfidious wife, this sacrilegious adulteress, sacrificeth these to her idols. Delivered them; either gave them to the idol’ s priests, or rather with her own hands gave them, i.e. led them through the fire, if lustrated, or put them into the idol’ s arms of brass or iron, which grasped them fast whilst they were consumed with fire that made the idol red hot. For them; for the idol’ s worship, or possibly for the parents, who did wickedly imagine this a way to preserve and prosper the rest of their children.
Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
Ezekiel 16:21 That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through [the fire] for them?Ver. 21. That thou hast slain my children.] Note that he yet calleth them his children, though so born, and so murdered. See on Ezekiel 16:20.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
Verse 21. To cause them to pass through the fire] Bp. Newcome quotes a very apposite passage from Dionysius Halicarnass. Ant. Rom. lib. i., s. 88, p. 72, and marg. p. 75, Edit. Hudson: Μεταδετουτο, πυρκαΐαςπροτωνσκηνωνγενεσθαικελευσας, εξαγειτονλεωνταςφλογαςὑπερθρωσκοντα,τηςὁσιωσεωςτωνμιασματωνἑνεκα. "And after this, having ordered that fires should be made before the tents, he brings out the people to leap over the flames, for the purifying of their pollutions." This example shows that we are not always to take passing through the fire for being entirely consumed by it. Among the Israelites this appears to have been used as a rite of consecration.
Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 16:21
21. hast … delivered them] Or, didst deliver them up, in causing them, as R.V. The child passed into the possession of the deity when consumed in the fire.
Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 16:21
21. Thou hast slain my children — The divine husband yearns over his innocent ones slain by the heartless mother.
Sermons on Ezekiel 16:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
When the Lord Passes By by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of selfishness and the importance of being part of the giving crowd rather than the taking crowd. He emphasizes the need to recogniz |
|
Exposing the Occult by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and observations of occult involvement and spiritual invasion. He recounts witnessing a young man in church who appeared to |
|
Contract on Children - Part 2 by Winkie Pratney | This sermon delves into the dark reality of the worship of Moloch, highlighting the extreme sacrifices and atrocities committed in the name of power and supernatural influence. It |
|
|
Recognizing and Dealing With Occult Involvement by Bill McLeod | Bill McLeod emphasizes the critical need for believers to recognize and renounce occult involvement, explaining that many individuals struggle with spiritual affliction due to thei |
|
By Signs and Wonders Where Christ Has Not Been Named by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the power of God's Word and the role of signs and wonders in the church. It delves into the method and instruments through wh |
|
Witchcraft, Wizards & Witches - Aa Allen by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons | A.A. Allen addresses the alarming rise of witchcraft and its influence in society, emphasizing that it is a work of the devil and is condemned by the Bible. He shares a chilling st |
|
Old Testament Survey - Part 23 by Dick Woodward | This sermon delves into the Book of Deuteronomy, focusing on Moses' sermons to the people of God before entering Canaan. It emphasizes responding to God's grace with obedience and |