Ezekiel 6:3
New International Version
and say: ‘You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD 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.

New Living Translation
Proclaim this message from the Sovereign LORD against the mountains of Israel. This is what the Sovereign LORD says to the mountains and hills and to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring war upon you, and I will smash your pagan shrines.

English Standard Version
and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: “Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

New American Standard Bible
and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains, the hills, the ravines, and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

NASB 1995
and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the ravines and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.

NASB 1977
and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains, the hills, the ravines and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.

Legacy Standard Bible
and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of Lord Yahweh! Thus says Lord Yahweh to the mountains, the hills, the ravines, and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.

Amplified Bible
and say, ‘You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places [of idolatrous worship],

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

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

American Standard Version
and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Contemporary English Version
Listen, you mountains and hills, and every valley and gorge! I, the LORD, am about to turn against you and crush all the places where foreign gods are worshiped.

English Revised Version
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 watercourses and to the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say this, 'You mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Almighty LORD! This is what the Almighty LORD says to the mountains and hills and to the ravines and valleys: I am going to attack you with a sword and destroy your worship sites.

Good News Translation
Tell the mountains of Israel to hear the Sovereign LORD's word--to hear what I, the Sovereign LORD, am telling the mountains, the hills, the gorges, and the valleys: I will send a sword to destroy the places where people worship idols.

International Standard Version
Tell the mountains of Israel to listen as the Lord GOD speaks. This is what the Lord GOD has to say to the mountains, hills, streams, and the valleys: 'Look! I'm about to bring my sword against you. I'm going to destroy your high places.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Say, 'Mountains of Israel, Hear the word of the sovereign LORD! This is what the sovereign LORD says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I am bringing a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

New Heart English Bible
and say, 'You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: "Look, I, even I, will bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
and say, ‘You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Yahweh! The Lord Yahweh says to the mountains and to the hills, to the watercourses and to the valleys: “Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have said, Mountains of Israel, "" Hear a word of Lord YHWH! Thus said Lord YHWH, "" To the mountains, and to the hills, "" To the streams, and to the valleys: Behold, I am bringing in a sword against you, "" And I have destroyed your high places.

Young's Literal Translation
And thou hast said: Mountains of Israel, Hear ye a word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus said the Lord Jehovah To the mountains, and to the hills, To the streams, and to the valleys, Lo, I, I am bringing in against you a sword, And I have destroyed your high places.

Smith's Literal Translation
And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus said the Lord Jehovah to the mountains and to the hills, to the torrents and to the valleys: behold me, I bring the sword upon you, and I destroyed your heights.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And say: Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus Faith the Lord God to the mountains, and to the hills, and to the rocks, and the valleys: Behold, I will bring upon you the sword, and I will destroy your high places.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and you shall say: O mountains of Israel, listen to the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and hills and cliffs and valleys: Behold, I will lead over you the sword. And I will destroy your exalted places.

New American Bible
You shall say: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: Pay attention! I am bringing a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places.

New Revised Standard Version
and say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I, I myself will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD God; Thus says the LORD God to the mountains and to the hills, to the valleys and to the brooks: Behold, I am bringing a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of THE LORD OF LORDS; thus says THE LORD OF LORDS to the mountains and to the hills and to the rivers and to the brooks: behold, I bring upon you a sword and I shall destroy your shrines
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and say: Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning the mountains and concerning the hills, concerning the ravines and concerning the valleys: Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and thou shalt say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord; thus saith the Lord to the mountains, and to the hills, and to the valleys, and to the forests; Behold, I bring a sword upon you, and your high places shall be utterly destroyed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Idolatry
2“Son of man, set your face against the mountains of Israel and prophesy against them. 3You 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. 4Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:2
Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.

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.

2 Kings 23:5
Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

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.

Hosea 4:13
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.

Isaiah 57:7
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.

2 Chronicles 34:4
Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.

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.

1 Kings 14:23
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

Isaiah 65:7
both for your iniquities and for those of your fathers,” says the LORD. “Because they burned incense on the mountains and scorned Me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their former deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:2
Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills.

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.

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

1 Corinthians 10:20
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.


Treasury of Scripture

And say, You mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus said 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 on you, and I will destroy your high places.

Ye

Ezekiel 36:1-4,8
Also, thou son of man, prophesy unto the mountains of Israel, and say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD: …

Jeremiah 22:29
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.

Micah 6:2
Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.

to the mountains

Jeremiah 2:20
For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

Jeremiah 3:6,23
The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot…

and I will

Leviticus 26:30
And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

Isaiah 27:9
By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

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Ezekiel 6
1. The judgment of Israel for their idolatry
8. A remnant shall be blessed
11. The faithful are exhorted to lament their abominations and calamities














and say
This phrase introduces a prophetic declaration, emphasizing the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God. In Hebrew, the word for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the context of divine communication. This highlights the authority and seriousness of the message that follows, as it is not merely Ezekiel's words but God's direct communication to His people.

O mountains of Israel
The "mountains of Israel" symbolize the entire land and its people. In the Hebrew context, mountains often represent stability, permanence, and a place of divine encounter. Historically, the mountains of Israel were sites of both true worship and idolatrous practices. This address signifies that the judgment and message are directed towards the heart of the nation, encompassing both its physical and spiritual state.

hear the word of the Lord GOD!
This command underscores the importance of listening to God's message. The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but obeying. The use of "Lord GOD" (Adonai Yahweh) combines the sovereign authority of God with His covenantal name, reminding Israel of their relationship with Him and the seriousness of their covenant obligations.

This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills
Reiterating the divine source of the message, this phrase emphasizes that the forthcoming words are not human opinions but divine decrees. The mention of "mountains and hills" again highlights the comprehensive nature of the message, addressing all high places where idolatry was often practiced. It serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence and His concern for all aspects of creation.

to the ravines and valleys
By including "ravines and valleys," the prophecy encompasses the entire landscape of Israel, symbolizing the totality of the judgment. These geographical features often represent places of refuge or hidden sin. Historically, valleys were sites of battles and significant events in Israel's history, thus serving as a reminder of past failures and the need for repentance.

I will bring a sword against you
The "sword" is a metaphor for judgment and destruction. In the Hebrew Bible, the sword often symbolizes divine retribution and the execution of justice. This phrase indicates that God's judgment is imminent and unavoidable, serving as a call to repentance and a warning of the consequences of continued disobedience.

and I will destroy your high places
"High places" were sites of idol worship, often located on elevated ground. The Hebrew term "בָּמוֹת" (bamot) refers to these locations, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. The destruction of high places signifies the removal of idolatry and a call to return to true worship. It reflects God's desire for purity and holiness among His people, emphasizing the need to eliminate anything that detracts from His glory.

(3) To the rivers, and to the valleys.--These words stand to each other in the same relation as "mountains and hills," that is, they are specifications of the same general character. The word frequently occurring, and uniformly translated in Ezekiel rivers, would be better rendered ravines. It is a deep sort of valley, along which, at times, a stream might run. Such places were also favourite places for idolatrous rites (see 2Kings 23:10; Isaiah 57:5-6; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 32:35), especially for the worship of the Phoenician Astaroth, the female divinity worshipped in conjunction with Baal. The same putting together of mountains and hills, valleys and ravines, occurs again in Ezekiel 35:8; Ezekiel 36:4; Ezekiel 36:6. By the expression, "I, even I," strong emphasis is placed on the fact that these judgments are from God. Inasmuch as, like most other events in the world, they were to be wrought out by human instrumentality, the attention might easily be taken up with the secondary causes; but by thus declaring them beforehand, and claiming them as His own work, God would make it evident that all was from Him. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You are to say:
וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘O mountains
הָרֵי֙ (hā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

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

hear
שִׁמְע֖וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the word
דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

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

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

This is what
כֹּה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

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

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

says
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the mountains
לֶהָרִ֨ים (le·hā·rîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

and hills,
וְלַגְּבָע֜וֹת (wə·lag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1389: A hillock

to the ravines
לָאֲפִיקִ֣ים (lā·’ă·p̄î·qîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 650: Containing, a tube, a bed, valley of a, stream, a strong thing, a hero

and valleys:
וְלַגֵּאָי֗וֹת (wə·lag·gê·’ā·yō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common plural
Strong's 1516: A valley

I
אֲנִ֜י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am about to bring
מֵבִ֤יא (mê·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

a sword
חֶ֔רֶב (ḥe·reḇ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

against you,
עֲלֵיכֶם֙ (‘ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and I will destroy
וְאִבַּדְתִּ֖י (wə·’ib·baḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

your high places.
בָּמֽוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ (bā·mō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1116: An elevation


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 6:3 And say You mountains of Israel hear (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 6:2
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