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Ezekiel 20:3

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Ezekiel 20:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye are come? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye are come? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
Ezekiel 20:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezekiel 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth [month], the tenth [day] of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Jehovah, and sat before me.
2And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
3Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Is it to inquire of me that ye are come? As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you.
4Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;
5and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In the day when I chose Israel, and sware unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I sware unto them, saying, I am Jehovah your God;
6in that day I sware unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.
← Ezekiel 20:2Ezekiel 20:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, &c.] Give them this for an answer from me: thus saith the Lord God, are ye come to inquire of me? no; not seriously, heartily, and in good earnest, determining to abide by the advice and counsel that might be given; or how can you have the face to inquire of me, when guilty of such abominations? [as] I live, saith the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you; knowing their wickedness and hypocrisy, which were detestable to him, and therefore would not hear what they had to say, nor give them any answer, or direct them what they should do. Sad is the case of persons when the Lord will not be inquired of by them! it is plain he…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The chapter falls into two great parts: Eze. 20:1-32, the recital of the people's rebellions during five distinct periods: in Egypt, the wilderness, on the borders of Canaan when a new generation arose, in Canaan, and in the time of the prophet. I will not be inquired of by you--because their moral state precluded them from capability of knowing the will of God (Psa 66:18; Pro 28:9; Joh 7:17).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Enquire - As to the hope of deliverance from the Babylonians. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Are ye come - Are ye in good earnest? Ezekiel 20:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Are: Isa 1:12; Mat 3:7; Luk 3:7 As I: Eze 20:31, Eze 14:3, Eze 14:4, Eze 14:7, Eze 14:8; Sa1 28:6; Psa 50:15-21; Pro 15:8, Pro 21:27, Pro 28:9; Isa 1:15; Mic 3:7; Mat 15:8, Mat 15:9; Joh 4:24 Ezekiel 20:4”
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Related study paths

Read Ezekiel 20 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification