Ezekiel 6:3

6:3 Say, ‘Mountains of Israel, 1  Hear the word of the sovereign Lord! 2  This is what the sovereign Lord says to the mountains and the hills, to the ravines and the valleys: I am bringing 3  a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. 4 

Ezekiel 20:3

20:3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and tell them: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Are you coming to seek me? As surely as I live, I will not allow you to seek me, 5  declares the sovereign Lord.’

1 tn The phrase “mountains of Israel” occurs only in the book of Ezekiel (6:2, 3; 19:9; 33:28; 34:13, 14; 35:12; 36:1, 4, 8; 37:22; 38:8; 39:2, 4, 17). The expression refers to the whole land of Israel.

sn The mountainous terrain of Israel would contrast with the exiles’ habitat in the river valley of Babylonia.

2 tn The introductory formula “Hear the word of the sovereign Lord” parallels a pronouncement delivered by the herald of a king (2 Kgs 18:28).

3 tn Heb “Look I, I am bringing.” The repetition of the pronoun draws attention to the speaker. The construction also indicates that the action is soon to come; the Lord is “about to bring a sword against” them.

4 tn The Hebrew term refers to elevated platforms where pagan sacrifices were performed.

5 tn Or “I will not reveal myself to you.”