Ezekiel 16:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem sacrifices her own children to idols, reaching the ultimate extreme of betrayal and infidelity.
The Context of Ezekiel 16:20
Jerusalem sacrifices her own children to idols.
What Does Ezekiel 16:20 Mean?
The betrayal reaches its most horrific point: Jerusalem sacrifices her own children to idols to be devoured. These are children she bore 'unto' God—they belonged to God through the covenant. By sacrificing them, she violates the most sacred bonds of motherhood and covenant loyalty.
The rhetorical question 'Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter' challenges Jerusalem to recognize the gravity of her actions. Child sacrifice represents the absolute extreme of covenant betrayal and idolatry. There is no question to which the answer is yes—this is not a small matter but the deepest possible offense against God and the covenant He established.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 16:20
What does Ezekiel 16:20 mean?
Jerusalem sacrifices her own children to idols, reaching the ultimate extreme of betrayal and infidelity.
What is the context of Ezekiel 16:20?
Jerusalem sacrifices her own children to idols.