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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Ezekiel 20  › Ezekiel 20:29

Ezekiel 20:29

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Ezekiel 20:29 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah. )

King James Version KJV

Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

American Standard Version ASV

Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Then I said to them, What is this high place where you go to no purpose? And it is named Bamah to this day.

Free Bible Version FBV

So I asked them: ‘What's this high place you're going to?’ (Even today it's still called Bamah.)

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Then I saide vnto them, What is the hie place whereunto ye goe? And the name thereof was called Bamah vnto this day.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I say unto them: What [is] the high place whither ye are going in? And its name is called 'high place' to this day.

World English Bible WEB

Then I said to them, ‘What does the high place where you go mean?’ So its name is called Bamah to this day.”’

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then I said to them, What is the high place to which ye go? and its name is called Bamah to this day.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I said to them: What meaneth the high place to which you go? and the name thereof was called High-place even to this day.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then I asked them, “Who [RHQ] told you to worship at a shrine like this, here on this hilltop?” So they are still called “hilltop shrines”.’

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Ezekiel 20:29

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 20:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וָ/אֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם מָ֣ה הַ/בָּמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּ֥ם הַ/בָּאִ֖ים שָׁ֑ם וַ/יִּקָּרֵ֤א שְׁמָ/הּ֙ בָּמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/זֶּֽה
וָ/אֹמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff
מָ֣ה mâh H4100 what? Part
הַ/בָּמָ֔ה bâmâh H1116 high place Art | N-fs
אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel
אַתֶּ֥ם ʼattâh H859 you(m.s.) Pron
הַ/בָּאִ֖ים bôwʼ H935 Lebo Art | V-Qal
שָׁ֑ם shâm H8033 there Adv
וַ/יִּקָּרֵ֤א qârâʼ H7121 to call Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שְׁמָ/הּ֙ shêm H8034 name N-ms | Suff
בָּמָ֔ה Bâmâh H1117 Bamah N-proper
עַ֖ד ʻad H5704 till Prep
הַ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 day Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּֽה zeh H2088 this Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Ezekiel 20:29

וָ/אֹמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מָ֣ה mâh H4100 "what?" Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
הַ/בָּמָ֔ה bâmâh H1116 "high place" Art | N-fs
A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.
Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?
Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.
אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אַתֶּ֥ם ʼattâh H859 "you(m.s.)" Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
הַ/בָּאִ֖ים bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" Art | V-Qal
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
שָׁ֑ם shâm H8033 "there" Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
וַ/יִּקָּרֵ֤א qârâʼ H7121 "to call" Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
שְׁמָ/הּ֙ shêm H8034 "name" N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Definition: 1) name 1a) name 1b) reputation, fame, glory 1c) the Name (as designation of God) 1d) memorial, monument Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
Usage: Occurs in 771 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. See also: Genesis 2:11; Exodus 3:15; Deuteronomy 16:6.
בָּמָ֔ה Bâmâh H1117 "Bamah" N-proper
Bamah means high place, often referring to locations of idol worship in Palestine, also known as Gibeon. It is mentioned in the Bible as a place of false worship. The name appears in various translations as Bamah.
Definition: Bamah = "high place" a place in Palestine (of places of idolatrous worship) Another name of giv.on (גִּבְעוֹן "Gibeon" H1391)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Bamah. See also H1120 (בָּמוֹת). See also: Ezekiel 20:29.
עַ֖ד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הַ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/זֶּֽה zeh H2088 "this" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.

Study Notes — Ezekiel 20:29

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Ezekiel 16:24–25 you built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty. With increasing promiscuity, you spread your legs to all who passed by.
2 Ezekiel 16:31 But when you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were not even like a prostitute, because you scorned payment.

Ezekiel 20:29 Summary

In Ezekiel 20:29, God asks the Israelites about the 'high place' they are visiting, which was a location for idolatrous worship. This question highlights the Israelites' disobedience and unfaithfulness to God, as they were prioritizing their own desires and traditions over God's commands (Deuteronomy 12:2-3). We can learn from their mistake by being careful not to prioritize things that distract us from God, and instead seeking to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). By doing so, we can avoid provoking God and instead experience His love and presence in our lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the high place mentioned in Ezekiel 20:29?

The high place refers to a location where the Israelites would offer sacrifices and worship, often in a way that was contrary to God's commands, as seen in Ezekiel 20:28 and Deuteronomy 12:2-3.

Why is the high place called Bamah?

The high place is called Bamah because it was a place of idolatrous worship, and the name Bamah has been associated with it 'to this day', as stated in Ezekiel 20:29, serving as a reminder of the Israelites' unfaithfulness to God.

How does God feel about the Israelites' actions at the high place?

God is provoked by the Israelites' actions at the high place, as stated in Ezekiel 20:28, and views their behavior as a form of spiritual prostitution, as mentioned in Ezekiel 20:30 and Ezekiel 23:37.

What can we learn from the Israelites' mistake in Ezekiel 20:29?

We can learn the importance of obeying God's commands and avoiding idolatry, as warned in Deuteronomy 12:29-32 and 1 Corinthians 10:21-22, and instead seek to worship Him in spirit and truth, as Jesus teaches in John 4:23-24.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some 'high places' in my life where I may be tempted to worship or prioritize things other than God?
  2. How can I ensure that my worship and devotion are pleasing to God, rather than provoking Him?
  3. What are some idols or distractions in my life that I need to surrender to God, and how can I replace them with a deeper love and commitment to Him?
  4. In what ways can I apply the lesson of Ezekiel 20:29 to my daily life, avoiding the mistakes of the Israelites and seeking to honor God in all I do?

Gill's Exposition on Ezekiel 20:29

Then I said unto them,.... By his prophets that he sent unto them: what is the high place where, unto you go? what is the name of it? what is the use of it? to what end do you go there?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ezekiel 20:29

Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:29

Then; when they were intent upon this horrid course of sin, God pleaded by his messengers, and prophets, and law, and some faithful priests, What mean you, that ye go to the high place? should you not go to the altar of God, and bring your sacrifices to the temple? Or what God better than Abraham’ s do you expect there? What profit by attending upon those sacrifices offered daily? How often have you by such-like means poured contempt on God and his law! Whereunto ye go; leaving my temple, and the service I prescribed, and in other places, unrequited, doing their supposed duties. Bamah; high place: the very word tells them their wickedness, that they acted against the express will of God, and framed themselves to idolaters of the nation. Unto this day; and this they did with obstinacy continue in to the days of Josiah, . Thus far the narrative of their great wickednesses.

Trapp's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:29

Ezekiel 20:29 Then I said unto them, What [is] the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.Ver. 29. And the name thereof is called Bamah,] i.e., A high place; a name good enough in itself, but, as used by them, as odious to all good hearts as a brothel house is to a chaste matron. She is the worse to pass by it, and spitteth at it. So should we in like case.

Ellicott's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:29

(29) Is called Bamah.—Bamah itself means high place. Some have fancied that the word is derived from the two words “go” and “where,” and therefore that it contains a play upon the question in the first part of the verse; but this etymology must be considered fanciful.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:29

Verse 29. What is the high place] מה הבמה mah habbamah, "what is the high place?" What is it good for? Its being a high place shows it to be a place of idolatry. I called it במה bamah, to mark it with infamy; but ye continue to frequent it, even while it is called במה bamah, to the present day!

Cambridge Bible on Ezekiel 20:29

29. The word bamah, “high-place,” has no certain etymology, though often used and at an early period, e.g. in David’s elegy on Saul (2 Samuel 1:19), and in Moabite (Mesha’s inscrip.). The prophet here introduces a punning and contemptuous derivation of the word. Jehovah asks “what (mah) is the high place whereunto ye go (ba),” and the prophet seems to consider the word composed of these two syllables. Some have supposed that “go” has the sense of “go in,” and that the allusion is to the immoralities practised on the high places (Amos 2:7; Hosea 4:13-14). This idea does not seem expressed in the words; neither is there much probability in the conjecture that the words are borrowed by Ezek. from some older prophet (Ew.). The prophet’s view of the generation of the exodus differs from that of earlier prophets, e.g. Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 2:2. The generation in the wilderness was probably not a homogeneous one, and the narratives which we possess represent its conduct as various at different times. Two views might be taken of it, and Ezek. as his manner is takes the severer view.

Whedon's Commentary on Ezekiel 20:29

29. Bamah — Hebrews, “high place.” That there is intended here some contemptuous turn upon the word cannot be doubted.
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