Ezekiel 8
Ezekiel 8 provides a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel concerning the abominations being committed in Jerusalem. In this chapter, God shows Ezekiel the idolatry and corruption taking place in the temple, revealing how the people have turned from true worship. The vision highlights God’s disapproval of their unfaithfulness and foreshadows the judgment that will come upon them. This chapter emphasizes the severity of sin and God’s desire for purity in worship.
Ezekiel 8:1 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord God fell upon me there.
In the sixth year of Ezekiel’s exile, as he met with the elders of Judah, God’s Spirit came upon him, initiating a powerful vision. This setting shows the respect Ezekiel held among the leaders and that God’s messages were often delivered through prophetic encounters, especially during significant gatherings.
Ezekiel 8:2 (NKJV)
2 Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire—from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.
Ezekiel sees a divine figure resembling fire and brightness, symbolizing God’s holy and consuming nature. This description echoes the radiant, awe-inspiring nature of God’s glory, emphasizing His purity and power as He prepares to reveal Jerusalem’s transgressions.
Ezekiel 8:3 (NKJV)
3 He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy.
God transports Ezekiel to Jerusalem, where he witnesses idolatrous practices within the temple precincts. The “image of jealousy” symbolizes the idols worshiped in the temple, which deeply offend God and provoke His jealousy, a righteous reaction to Israel’s betrayal.
Ezekiel 8:4 (NKJV)
4 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the plain.
Despite the corruption, God’s glory is still present, underscoring the tragedy of idolatry within His holy place. This presence also serves as a reminder of God’s holiness amidst Israel’s sinful actions and foreshadows His impending judgment.
Ezekiel 8:5 (NKJV)
5 Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.
Ezekiel is directed to look northward, where he again sees the “image of jealousy.” This idol near the temple’s entrance symbolizes the nation’s departure from God, contaminating what should be a sacred space dedicated solely to worshiping the true God.
Ezekiel 8:6 (NKJV)
6 Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.”
God shows Ezekiel the depth of Israel’s sin, revealing that their actions are driving Him away from the temple. Despite the existing idolatry, God warns that even more detestable practices will be revealed, highlighting the severity of the nation’s unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 8:7 (NKJV)
7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall.
God leads Ezekiel to a new area of the temple, where he sees a hole in the wall. This detail suggests secrecy, implying that the people are hiding their idolatrous activities, though nothing is hidden from God’s sight.
Ezekiel 8:8 (NKJV)
8 Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door.
Ezekiel is instructed to dig through the wall, revealing a hidden entrance. This act represents uncovering the hidden sins of Israel, showing that the people’s unfaithfulness is more extensive than it appears on the surface.
Ezekiel 8:9 (NKJV)
9 And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.”
God commands Ezekiel to enter and witness the corrupt practices firsthand. This exploration exposes the depth of the people’s sin, emphasizing that their idolatry has permeated even the most sacred spaces.
Ezekiel 8:10 (NKJV)
10 So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls.
Ezekiel enters and sees images of detestable creatures and idols painted on the temple walls. This vivid scene represents the extent of Israel’s idolatry, with pagan symbols and images filling a place meant for holy worship, a clear violation of God’s commandments.
Ezekiel 8:11 (NKJV)
11 And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.
Ezekiel observes seventy elders, including Jaazaniah, engaging in idol worship within the temple. The use of censers and incense, typically reserved for worshiping God, now signifies their devotion to idols. The elders’ participation highlights the corruption among Israel’s leadership.
Ezekiel 8:12 (NKJV)
12 Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.’”
God reveals that the elders practice idolatry in secret, believing God does not see them or has abandoned them. This belief indicates their lost faith and self-deception, as they assume their sins remain hidden and unpunished.
Ezekiel 8:13 (NKJV)
13 And He said to me, “Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing.”
God again prompts Ezekiel to look further, suggesting that even more grievous sins are occurring. This call to “turn again” prepares Ezekiel for progressively shocking revelations of Israel’s moral decline.
Ezekiel 8:14 (NKJV)
14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.
Ezekiel sees women mourning Tammuz, a Babylonian fertility god, in the temple courtyard. This ritual illustrates Israel’s blending of foreign paganism into their worship, a grievous offense against God’s call for exclusive devotion.
Ezekiel 8:15 (NKJV)
15 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.”
God urges Ezekiel to continue observing, as there are yet more serious abominations to uncover. This progressive revelation highlights the extent of Israel’s idolatry and its gradual escalation.
Ezekiel 8:16 (NKJV)
16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.
Ezekiel witnesses twenty-five men in the inner court of the temple, turning their backs on God’s sanctuary to worship the sun. This act of rejecting God to worship creation signifies the depth of their apostasy, showing a complete reversal of their worship priorities.
Ezekiel 8:17 (NKJV)
17 And He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.”
God expresses His indignation at Judah’s sins, which He does not consider trivial. Their idolatry has brought violence and dishonor to the land, provoking God’s wrath. The phrase “put the branch to their nose” likely refers to an offensive ritual symbolizing their contempt for God.
Ezekiel 8:18 (NKJV)
18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.”
Because of their unrepentant idolatry, God declares His impending judgment, assuring that He will show no pity. Even if they cry out, God will not listen, as they have repeatedly rejected Him. This final statement underscores the severity of the people’s rebellion and the certainty of divine retribution.