יחזקאל, פרק כ׳, פסוק ל״א

When the Israelites attempt to seek closeness to God, their requests are outright rejected because their hands remain stained by horrific, foreign rituals. The nature of the offerings they present is understood in several ways. The primary approach among commentators is that the sacrifice of their children is itself the gift and tribute brought to idols [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective views this as an act of theft, where the Israelites take the gifts rightfully meant for God—specifically, their firstborn children—and hand them over to idols instead [רש"י]. A third approach highlights the deep contradiction in their behavior, noting that at the exact same time they lift up offerings to God, they continue to defile themselves through idol worship [מלבי"ם].

This defilement stems directly from the practice of passing their children through fire, a ritual deeply associated with the worship of Molech. This custom left such a profound mark across generations that its remnants survived into much later periods. For instance, the later practice of women passing their babies over a fire is considered a direct offshoot of this ancient idolatry [מלבי"ם].

In light of this ongoing impurity, God confronts the people with a piercing rhetorical question. He asks whether it is even conceivable that, after committing such terrible acts, He would accept their prayers and respond when they seek Him [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The answer follows immediately as an absolute declaration. Taking a solemn oath, God swears that He will not answer them or accept their appeals, as their actions have rendered them completely unworthy of His response [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].