Ezekiel 20:29 Meaning and Explanation
“Then I said unto them, What is the high place whereunto ye go? And the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God questions Israel's idolatrous worship at high places, which came to be called 'Bamah.'
The Context of Ezekiel 20:29
The high places come to be called 'Bamah,' a perpetual reminder of Israel's idolatry.
What Does Ezekiel 20:29 Mean?
God's rhetorical question—'What is the high place whereunto ye go?'—expresses both divine puzzlement and rebuke. Israel had been given the land as a gift and yet had immediately replicated pagan worship. The name 'Bamah' (literally 'high place') became a term of derision, marking Israel's persistent idolatry throughout their history in the land.
The fact that the name persisted 'unto this day' (Ezekiel's time, in exile) shows how deeply rooted this practice had become. For centuries, Israel maintained high-place worship despite God's warnings through prophets. The question 'What is the high place?' resonates with divine disappointment: what are you doing, Israel?
Ezekiel 20:29 in the Original Language
bamah (בָּמָה), 'high place' — elevated shrines used for worship, originally Canaanite in origin. Israel's adoption of these sites showed the depth of religious assimilation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezekiel 20:29
What does Ezekiel 20:29 mean?
God questions Israel's idolatrous worship at high places, which came to be called 'Bamah.'
What is the context of Ezekiel 20:29?
The high places come to be called 'Bamah,' a perpetual reminder of Israel's idolatry.