Ezekiel 6:3

Translations

Modern

You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

Traditional

And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Literal

…and say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord YHWH! Thus says the Lord YHWH to the mountains, and to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: Behold, I—I am bringing against you a sword, and I will destroy your high places.

Latin

…et dices: Montes Israël, audite verbum Domini Dei. Hæc dicit Dominus Deus montibus et collibus, rupibus et vallibus: Ecce ego inducam super vos gladium, et disperdam excelsa vestra,

Original

Hebrew

English

You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

Notes

Ezekiel 6:1–3

The judgment did not remain only in Jerusalem. It spread to the mountains of Israel, which were the political center of the nation.

This land had belonged to Israel since the time of Joshua. Over time, however, it became filled with idolatry (the worship of false gods).

The hill country became the location of many pagan shrines, called high places (raised stone platforms used for worship). These places often held idols or were used for sacrifices and pagan celebrations. Many of these shrines were already there before Israel entered the land.

God had commanded the people to destroy them (Deuteronomy 12:2–3). Instead, in many places, the Israelites allowed them to remain. Some political and religious leaders ignored the problem. Others even encouraged the people who worshiped at these sites.

Ezekiel 6:1–14

This chapter contains two messages of judgment (Ezekiel 6:2–10 and 6:11–14). These messages give two possible outcomes.

The first outcome is hope. If the people repent (turn away from sin and return to God), they will have a future.

The second outcome is continued rebellion. If they refuse to change, they will face complete destruction.

In either case, the Lord’s power and holiness will be clearly shown.

Ezekiel 4:1–7:27

These chapters discuss words and actions that warned of disaster for Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4–5) and the land of Judah (Ezekiel 6–7).

Theme notes and profiles

Prophetic Sign Acts

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Leviticus 26:30
I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you.
Jeremiah 3:23
Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God.
Ezekiel 36:8
But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and bear fruit for My people Israel, for they will soon come home.
Isaiah 27:9
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.
Jeremiah 2:20
“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.
Micah 6:2
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:
Ezekiel 36:1–4
“And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:29
O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD!
Jeremiah 3:6
Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.

Parallels

Deuteronomy 4:15–31 Deuteronomy 12:29–32

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of High Place

Ezekiel 6:3

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