Ezekiel 20:16 net — I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hear…

NET Bible

"I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols."

— Ezekiel 20:16, NET Bible

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Ezekiel 20:16 in Other Translations

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Ezekiel 20 — Context

13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness; they did not follow my statutes and they rejected my regulations(the one who obeys them will live by them), and they utterly desecrated my Sabbaths. So I decided to pour out my rage on them in the wilderness and destroy them.

14

I acted for the sake of my reputation, so that I would not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

15

I also swore to them in the wilderness that I would not bring them to the land I had given them– a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.

16

I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols.

17

Yet I had pity on them and did not destroy them, so I did not make an end of them in the wilderness.

18

“‘But I said to their children in the wilderness,“Do not follow the practices of your fathers; do not observe their regulations, nor defile yourselves with their idols.

19

I am the LORD your God; follow my statutes, observe my regulations, and carry them out.

Ezekiel 20:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ezekiel 20:16 say?
Ezekiel 20:16 in the NET Bible reads: “I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols.”
Where is Ezekiel 20:16 in the Bible?
Ezekiel 20:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ezekiel, chapter 20, verse 16.
Who wrote Ezekiel?
Ezekiel is traditionally attributed to Ezekiel the priest. It was written c. 593–571 BC.
What is the book of Ezekiel about?
Ezekiel ministers among the exiles in Babylon with vivid visions, sign-acts, and oracles. He sees God's glory depart from a defiled temple, then promises dry bones brought to life, a new heart, and a restored temple — pictures of resurrection and the new covenant fulfilled in Christ.
What are the major themes of Ezekiel?
Ezekiel explores themes including Glory of God, Judgment, New Heart, Resurrection, New Temple. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ezekiel 20:16.
What translation should I read Ezekiel 20:16 in?
Ezekiel 20:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ezekiel 20:16?
Ezekiel 20:16 reads (NET): “I did this because they rejected my regulations, did not follow my statutes, and desecrated my Sabbaths; for their hearts followed their idols.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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