Ezekiel 20:31
New International Version
When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will not let you inquire of me.

New Living Translation
For when you offer gifts to them and give your little children to be burned as sacrifices, you continue to pollute yourselves with idols to this day. Should I allow you to ask for a message from me, O people of Israel? As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will tell you nothing.

English Standard Version
When you present your gifts and offer up your children in fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

Berean Standard Bible
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!

King James Bible
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

New King James Version
For when you offer your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.

New American Standard Bible
And when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. So shall I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “I certainly will not be inquired of by you.

NASB 1995
“When you offer your gifts, when you cause your sons to pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.

NASB 1977
“And when you offer your gifts, when you cause your sons to pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when you offer your gifts, when you cause your sons to pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live,” declares Lord Yahweh, “I will not be inquired of by you.

Amplified Bible
When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, you are defiling yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be asked by you [for an oracle], O house of Israel? As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I will not be inquired of by you.

Christian Standard Bible
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your children in the fire, you still continue to defile yourselves with all your idols today. So should I let you inquire of me, house of Israel? As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—I will not let you inquire of me!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When you offer your gifts, making your children pass through the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live"—this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—"I will not be consulted by you!”

American Standard Version
and when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, do ye pollute yourselves with all your idols unto this day? and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you;

Contemporary English Version
by worshiping idols and by sacrificing their own children as offerings. They commit these sins and still think they can ask me for a message. As surely as I am the living LORD God, I will give them no answer.

English Revised Version
and when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, do ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, unto this day? and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You offer your children as sacrifices by burning them alive. You dishonor yourselves with all your disgusting idols to this day. Should you be allowed to ask me for help, nation of Israel? " 'As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, you won't be allowed to ask me for help.

Good News Translation
Even today you offer the same gifts and defile yourselves with the same idols by sacrificing your children to them in the fire. And then you Israelites still come to ask what my will is! As surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, am the living God, I will not let you ask me anything.

International Standard Version
When you present your gifts and make your sons pass through the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with your idols to this day. Should I be inquired of by you, you house of Israel? As I live," declares the LORD, "I certainly won't be inquired of by you."

Majority Standard Bible
When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you!

NET Bible
When you present your sacrifices--when you make your sons pass through the fire--you defile yourselves with all your idols to this very day. Will I allow you to seek me, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the sovereign LORD, I will not allow you to seek me!

New Heart English Bible
And when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? And shall I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you;

Webster's Bible Translation
For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, even to this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

World English Bible
When you offer your gifts, when you make your sons pass through the fire, do you pollute yourselves with all your idols to this day? Should I be inquired of by you, house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I will not be inquired of by you!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in the offering of your gifts, "" In causing your sons to pass through fire, "" You are defiled by all your idols to this day, "" And I am sought by you, O house of Israel? [As] I live—a declaration of Lord YHWH, I am not sought by you.

Young's Literal Translation
And in the offering of your gifts, In causing your sons to pass through fire, Ye are defiled by all your idols to this day, And I am sought by you, O house of Israel! I live -- an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, I am not sought by you.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in lifting up your gifts, in causing your sons to pass into the fire ye are defiled for all your blocks, even to this day: and shall I be sought for you, O house of Israel? I live, says the Lord Jehovah, if I will be sought by you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you defile yourselves with all your: idols unto this day, in the offering of your gifts, when you make your children pass through the fire: and shall I answer you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord God, I will not answer you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you are being defiled by all of your idols, even to this day, by the oblation of your gifts, when you lead your sons through the fire. And should I respond to you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord God, I will not answer you.

New American Bible
By offering your gifts, by making your children pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols even to this day. Shall I let myself be consulted by you, house of Israel? As I live—oracle of the Lord GOD—I swear I will not let myself be consulted by you!

New Revised Standard Version
When you offer your gifts and make your children pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. And shall I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As I live, says the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you offer your gift offerings and make your sons to pass through the fire; you have polluted yourselves with your idols, even to this day; and yet you wish to inquire of me, O house of Israel? As I live, says the LORD God, I will not give you an answer.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you bring your gifts and you bring your children into fire and you are defiled with your idols until today, and you seek to ask of me, house of Israel, as I am living, says THE LORD OF LORDS, I shall not give you an answer
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and when, in offering your gifts, in making your sons to pass through the fire, ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, unto this day; shall I then be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and do ye pollute yourselves with the first-fruits of your gifts, in the offerings wherewith ye pollute yourselves in all your imaginations, until this day; and shall I answer you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord, I will not answer you, neither shall this thing come upon your spirit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Rebellion in the Land
30Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: Will you defile yourselves the way your fathers did, prostituting yourselves with their abominations? 31When you offer your gifts, sacrificing your sons in the fire, you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. So should I be consulted by you, O house of Israel? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will not be consulted by you! 32When you say, ‘Let us be like the nations, like the peoples of the lands, serving wood and stone,’ what you have in mind will never come to pass.…

Cross References
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.

Deuteronomy 12:31
You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.

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 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.

Jeremiah 7:31
They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind.

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.

Jeremiah 32:35
They have built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Ben-hinnom to make their sons and daughters pass through the fire to Molech—something I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind, that they should commit such an abomination and cause Judah to sin.

Psalm 106:37-38
They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. / They shed innocent blood—the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood.

Isaiah 57:5
who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?

Hosea 4:12-13
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

Amos 5:25-26
Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves.

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.


Treasury of Scripture

For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you pollute yourselves with all your idols, even to this day: and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, said the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

ye offer

Ezekiel 20:26
And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, …

Psalm 106:37-39
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, …

and shall

Ezekiel 20:3
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.

Ezekiel 14:3,4
Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? …

1 Samuel 28:5,6
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled…

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Cause Enquired Fire Gifts House Idols Inquired Israel Live Making Offer Offering Pollute Yourselves
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Cause Enquired Fire Gifts House Idols Inquired Israel Live Making Offer Offering Pollute Yourselves
Ezekiel 20
1. God refuses to be consulted by the elders of Israel
4. He shows the story of their rebellions in Egypt
19. in the desert
27. and in the land
33. He promises to gather them by the Gospel
45. Under the name of a forest he shows the destruction of Jerusalem














When you offer your gifts
The phrase "offer your gifts" refers to the practice of presenting offerings to deities, which in the context of ancient Israel, often involved sacrifices. The Hebrew word for "offer" (קָרַב, qarab) implies drawing near or approaching, suggesting an act of worship or devotion. Historically, offerings were meant to honor God, but here, they are misdirected towards idols, highlighting a deviation from true worship.

the sacrifice of your sons in the fire
This phrase is a direct reference to the abominable practice of child sacrifice, particularly to the god Molech, which was strictly forbidden in Israelite law (Leviticus 18:21). The Hebrew word for "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zebach) typically denotes a slaughtered offering, but in this context, it underscores the horror of sacrificing human life. Archaeological evidence from sites like Carthage reveals that such practices were not uncommon in the ancient Near East, emphasizing the cultural pressures Israel faced.

you continue to defile yourselves
The word "defile" (טָמֵא, tame) in Hebrew conveys a sense of ritual impurity or moral corruption. The Israelites' actions rendered them unclean, not just physically but spiritually, distancing them from God. This defilement was ongoing, indicating a persistent rebellion against God's commandments.

with all your idols
Idolatry was a recurring sin for Israel, and the term "idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim) often carries a derogatory connotation, suggesting something worthless or detestable. The use of "all" emphasizes the extent of their idolatry, as they turned to numerous false gods, violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).

to this day
This phrase underscores the continuity of Israel's sin. Despite numerous warnings and judgments, the people persisted in their idolatrous practices. It serves as a reminder of the stubbornness of the human heart and the need for repentance.

So should I let you inquire of Me
Here, God questions the appropriateness of allowing the Israelites to seek His guidance while they remain in sin. The Hebrew word for "inquire" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies seeking or consulting, often used in the context of seeking divine will. This rhetorical question highlights the incongruity of seeking God while living in rebellion.

O house of Israel?
The term "house of Israel" refers collectively to the people of Israel, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen nation. It serves as a reminder of their covenant relationship with God, which they have violated through idolatry.

As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD
This oath formula underscores the certainty and seriousness of God's declaration. The phrase "as surely as I live" (חַי־אָנִי, chai-ani) is a solemn affirmation of God's eternal existence and His commitment to justice.

I will not let you inquire of Me!
God's refusal to allow inquiry signifies a withdrawal of His guidance and favor due to their persistent sin. It is a sobering reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin and the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God. This divine response calls the Israelites to repentance and underscores the holiness and justice of God.

(31) I will not be enquired of by you.--This takes up the refrain of Ezekiel 20:3, and with the following verse fitly closes this portion of the prophecy which was introduced by the coming of the elders to enquire.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When you offer
וּבִשְׂאֵ֣ת (ū·ḇiś·’êṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

your gifts,
מַתְּנֹֽתֵיכֶ֡ם (mat·tə·nō·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4979: A present, a sacrificial offering, a bribe

sacrificing your sons
בְּנֵיכֶ֨ם (bə·nê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

in the fire,
בָּאֵ֜שׁ (bā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

you
אַתֶּם֩ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

continue to defile
נִטְמְאִ֤֨ים (niṭ·mə·’îm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

yourselves with all
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

your idols
גִּלּֽוּלֵיכֶם֙ (gil·lū·lê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1544: A log, an idol

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

this day.
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

So should I
וַאֲנִ֛י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

be consulted by you,
אִדָּרֵ֥שׁ (’id·dā·rêš)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

O house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel?
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

As surely as
אָ֗נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

I live,
חַי־ (ḥay-)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

declares
נְאֻם֙ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יְהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

I will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

be consulted
אִדָּרֵ֖שׁ (’id·dā·rêš)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

by you!
לָכֶֽם׃ (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 0: 0


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:31 And when you offer your gifts when (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 20:30
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