Ezekiel 16:20

Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter,

Ezekiel 16:20 (KJV)

Context

The prophet Ezekiel ministered to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile, delivering God’s messages of judgment and hope. In this chapter, God portrays Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife, using vivid symbolic language to expose the nation’s spiritual adultery.

Meaning

God declares that the people of Jerusalem took the sons and daughters they had borne to Him and sacrificed them to idols, to be devoured. This refers to the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice, likely offered to the god Molech, where children were consumed by fire. The children belonged to God, making the betrayal even more heinous. The rhetorical question, “Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter?” underscores the severity of the sin: it was not a minor offense but the most shocking and aggravated of their idolatries.

Biblical connections

Child sacrifice was strictly forbidden by God’s law (Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 18:10). Israel’s adoption of this pagan practice demonstrated how far they had strayed from their covenant relationship with God, pursuing other gods and forsaking their devotion to the one true God. The children were not merely their own; they were gifts from God, and offering them to idols was a direct violation of the covenant that reserved all worship for the Lord alone.

Application

While this passage addresses ancient Israel, it warns believers today against idolatry and the pursuit of worldly desires over a faithful relationship with God. It reminds us to examine our hearts and ensure that nothing takes the place of God in our lives. The devaluation of human life that resulted from idolatry serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of syncretism and the need for wholehearted devotion to God. When we allow anything—whether ambition, comfort, or approval—to overshadow our loyalty to God, we risk repeating the same pattern of spiritual unfaithfulness.

Reflection

Although this verse highlights the severity of Israel’s sin, the book of Ezekiel also contains messages of hope and restoration. Despite their unfaithfulness, God expressed His willingness to forgive and restore His people if they repented and turned back to Him. This passage calls us to recognize the gravity of sin and the holiness of God, who alone deserves worship. It also invites us to consider the depth of God’s mercy, which can redeem even the most grievous failures when we return to Him in humility.