What is the meaning of Ezekiel 20:29?

So I asked them

The Lord personally questions His people, showing that He notices every step they take. Just as in Genesis 3:9 He asked, “Where are you?” and in Job 38:3 He challenged Job, here He probes Israel’s conscience.

• His question exposes secrets (Psalm 139:1–4).

• His question invites repentance (Isaiah 1:18).

• His question underscores accountability (Romans 14:12).

He is not ignorant; He is shepherding them back to truth (Ezekiel 34:11).

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‘What is this high place

“High place” marks the locations where Israel mixed pagan worship with the Lord’s name, directly violating Deuteronomy 12:2–4.

• High places multiplied under the kings (1 Kings 14:23; 2 Kings 17:9–11).

• God repeatedly vowed to tear them down (Leviticus 26:30; Micah 1:3–5).

• The height symbolized pride, yet true worship is humble (Isaiah 57:15; John 4:23).

The question highlights the contrast between man-made elevation and God-ordained holiness.

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to which you go?

Going implies deliberate movement. Israel’s feet carried them toward compromise rather than covenant faithfulness (Jeremiah 2:20; Hosea 4:13).

Consider the drift:

• Curiosity → familiarity → participation (James 1:14–15).

• “You go” unveils willful choice, not ignorance (Joshua 24:15).

• Each journey to a high place distanced them from the altar God appointed in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:11; Psalm 122:1–4).

Their steps traced the path of divided hearts (Matthew 6:24).

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(And to this day it is called Bamah.)

“Bamah” remained a living reminder of stubborn rebellion. Even after centuries, the name still testified against them, much like the standing stones of Ai or the pillar Lot’s wife became (Genesis 19:26; Joshua 7:26).

• Sin can etch itself into geography and vocabulary (2 Kings 17:41).

• Memory of disobedience warns future generations (1 Corinthians 10:11).

• Only wholehearted obedience erases the stigma (2 Chronicles 31:1).

Thus the name “Bamah” endures as both label and lesson.

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summary

Ezekiel 20:29 captures God’s probing question, Israel’s prideful worship sites, their deliberate pilgrimage to sin, and the lingering label “Bamah.” The verse reminds us that the Lord sees where our feet go, confronts our compromises, and leaves indelible witnesses to call us back to single-hearted devotion.