Ezekiel 20:4
New International Version
“Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their ancestors

New Living Translation
“Son of man, bring charges against them and condemn them. Make them realize how detestable the sins of their ancestors really were.

English Standard Version
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Let them know the abominations of their fathers,

Berean Standard Bible
Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers

King James Bible
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

New King James Version
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Then make known to them the abominations of their fathers.

New American Standard Bible
Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make known to them the abominations of their fathers;

NASB 1995
“Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make them know the abominations of their fathers;

NASB 1977
“Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make them know the abominations of their fathers;

Legacy Standard Bible
Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Make them know the abominations of their fathers

Amplified Bible
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Then make them know [accurately] and understand fully the repulsive acts of their fathers;

Christian Standard Bible
“Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their ancestors to them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Will you pass judgment against them, will you pass judgment, son of man? Explain the detestable practices of their fathers to them.

American Standard Version
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

Contemporary English Version
Are you willing to warn them, Ezekiel? Then remind them of the disgusting sins of their ancestors.

English Revised Version
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Will you judge them? Will you judge them, son of man? Tell them about the disgusting things their ancestors did.

Good News Translation
"Are you ready to pass sentence on them, mortal man? Then do so. Remind them of the disgusting things their ancestors did.

International Standard Version
"Will you judge them? Son of Man, will you indeed judge them? Teach them about the detestable things that their ancestors did.

Majority Standard Bible
Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers

NET Bible
"Are you willing to pronounce judgment? Are you willing to pronounce judgment, son of man? Then confront them with the abominable practices of their fathers,

New Heart English Bible
Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

Webster's Bible Translation
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

World English Bible
“Will you judge them, son of man? Will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do you judge them? Do you judge, son of man? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers,

Young's Literal Translation
Dost thou judge them? Dost thou judge, son of man? The abominations of their fathers cause them to know,

Smith's Literal Translation
Wilt thou judge them, wilt thou judge, son of man? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou judgest them, if thou judgest, son of man, declare to them the abominations of their fathers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If you judge them, if you judge, O son of man, reveal to them the abominations of their fathers.

New American Bible
Will you judge them? Will you judge, son of man? Tell them about the abominations of their ancestors,

New Revised Standard Version
Will you judge them, mortal, will you judge them? Then let them know the abominations of their ancestors,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You judge them, you judge them, O Son of man! and declare to them the abominations of their fathers;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Judge them, judge them, son of man, and show them the abomination of their fathers
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Shall I utterly take vengeance on them, son of man? testify to them of the iniquities of their fathers:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Rebellion in Egypt
3“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD. 4Will you judge them, will you judge them, son of man? Confront them with the abominations of their fathers 5and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I chose Israel, I swore an oath to the descendants of the house of Jacob and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt. With an uplifted hand I said to them, ‘I am the LORD your God.’…

Cross References
Ezekiel 22:2
“As for you, son of man, will you judge her? Will you pass judgment on the city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her abominations

Ezekiel 23:36
Then the LORD said to me: “Son of man, will you pass judgment against Oholah and Oholibah? Then declare to them their abominations.

Ezekiel 16:2
“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations

Isaiah 58:1
“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.

Jeremiah 2:9
Therefore, I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will bring a case against your children’s children.

Jeremiah 2:35
you say, ‘I am innocent. Surely His anger will turn from me.’ Behold, I will judge you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’

Jeremiah 4:12
a wind too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.”

Jeremiah 11:20
O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who examines the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.

Jeremiah 25:31
The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.

Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!

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:

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 11:49-51
Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’ / As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

John 8:46
Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me?

Acts 7:51-53
You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— / you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”


Treasury of Scripture

Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

judge them.

Ezekiel 14:14,20
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD…

Ezekiel 22:2
Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 23:36,45
The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; …

cause

Ezekiel 16:2,3
Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, …

Matthew 23:29-37
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, …

Luke 11:47-51
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them…

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Abominations Cause Clear Confront Detestable Disgusting Fathers Judge Practices Ways Wilt
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Abominations Cause Clear Confront Detestable Disgusting Fathers Judge Practices Ways Wilt
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














Will you judge them
The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the seriousness of the task given to Ezekiel. In Hebrew, the word for "judge" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), which means to govern, vindicate, or punish. This reflects God's call for Ezekiel to act as a divine intermediary, bringing to light the sins of the people. The role of a judge in ancient Israel was not only to pass judgment but also to guide and correct, highlighting the dual role of Ezekiel as both a prophet and a shepherd to the people.

son of man
This phrase, "בֶּן אָדָם" (ben adam) in Hebrew, is a title used frequently in the book of Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and his role as a representative of mankind. It serves to remind Ezekiel of his own human limitations and the grace of God that empowers him to fulfill his prophetic duties. This title also foreshadows the New Testament use of "Son of Man" for Jesus, linking the prophetic mission of Ezekiel to the ultimate mission of Christ.

Confront them
The Hebrew word "הוֹדַע" (hoda) means to make known or declare. Ezekiel is commanded to boldly present the truth to the Israelites, regardless of their response. This act of confrontation is not merely accusatory but is intended to lead to repentance and restoration. It underscores the prophetic duty to speak truth to power and to call people back to covenant faithfulness.

with the abominations
The term "abominations" is translated from the Hebrew word "תּוֹעֵבוֹת" (to'evot), which refers to detestable practices, often associated with idolatry and moral corruption. In the historical context, these abominations were the idolatrous practices adopted from surrounding nations, which led Israel away from their covenant with God. This highlights the severity of their sin and the need for divine intervention.

of their fathers
This phrase points to the generational nature of sin and the historical context of Israel's rebellion. The sins of the fathers refer to the persistent disobedience and idolatry that characterized Israel's history. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of breaking the cycle of sin through repentance and obedience. This historical reflection is intended to provoke a sense of accountability and a desire for renewal among the people.

(4) Wilt thou judge them?--The form of the repeated question is equivalent to an imperative--judge them. Instead of allowing their enquiry and entreaty for the averting of judgment, the prophet is directed to set before them their long series of apostasies and provocations. "Judge" is used in the sense of "bring to trial," "prefer charges."

Verse 4 - Wilt thou judge them, etc.? The doubled question has the force of a strong imperative. The prophet is directed, as it were, to assume the office of a judge, and as such to press home upon his hearers, and through them upon others, their own sins and those of their fathers. He is led, in doing so, to yet another survey of the nation's history; not now, as in Ezekiel 16, in figurative language, but directly.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Will you judge
הֲתִשְׁפֹּ֣ט (hă·ṯiš·pōṭ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

them,
אֹתָ֔ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

will you judge [them],
הֲתִשְׁפּ֖וֹט (hă·ṯiš·pō·wṭ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man?
אָדָ֑ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

Confront them with
הוֹדִיעֵֽם׃ (hō·w·ḏî·‘êm)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

the abominations
תּוֹעֲבֹ֥ת (tō·w·‘ă·ḇōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

of their fathers
אֲבוֹתָ֖ם (’ă·ḇō·w·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 20:4 Will you judge them son of man (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
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