Visions of Temple Abominations
Ezekiel 8:1-18
Eze.8.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הששית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- בששי: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בחמשה: PREP+NUM,m,pl
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בביתי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- וזקני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- יושבים: VERB,qal,ptc,.,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ותפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שם: ADV
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:1 (structural): Similar opening date-formula introducing a prophetic vision/commissioning — precise dating frames Ezekiel's revelations.
- Ezekiel 20:1 (structural): Another Ezekiel passage that begins with a year/month/day formula to introduce a new oracle to the elders, echoing the same literary device.
- 1 Kings 18:46 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'the hand of the LORD was upon/was on' a prophet (Elijah) to indicate divine empowerment/action, parallel to 'the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me.'
- 2 Chronicles 20:14 (verbal): 'The Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel' — another instance of divine spirit/hand falling on a speaker in an assembly, comparable to Ezekiel's experience before the elders.
- Isaiah 6:1 (thematic): A prophetic commissioning vision tied to a significant chronological marker ('in the year that King Uzziah died') — parallels Ezekiel's use of a dated setting for a visionary encounter.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass in the sixth year, on the fifth day of the month, while I sat in my house and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there.
- In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month—while I sat in my house and the elders of Judah were seated before me—the hand of the LORD GOD fell upon me there.
Eze.8.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואראה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- והנה: ADV
- דמות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כמראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ממראה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מתניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff3,m
- ולמטה: CONJ+PREP+ADV
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וממתניו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ולמעלה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כמראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זהר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כעין: PREP
- החשמלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:27 (verbal): Nearly identical language describing the divine appearance: ‘as the appearance of fire from his loins downward… as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber’ — the same fire/amber imagery used earlier in Ezekiel’s inaugural vision.
- Ezekiel 10:4 (structural): Continuation of the Ezekiel tradition of God’s manifest glory associated with brilliant/fire-like phenomena as the cherubim and the glory move within/away from the temple — a structural echo of the same theophanic presence.
- Exodus 24:17 (thematic): ‘The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire’ — parallels the use of fire as the visible sign of God’s glory and presence in a theophany.
- Isaiah 6:1-4 (thematic): The prophet’s vision of God’s throne includes heavenly beings and a temple filled with the divine presence (smoke/awesome brightness) — thematically related to Ezekiel’s fire/brightness depiction of God’s glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I looked, and behold a form like the appearance of fire—the appearance of fire from his loins downward, and from his loins upward the appearance of brightness, like the gleam of amber.
- I looked, and behold, a form like the appearance of fire—from his loins downward fire, and from his loins upward the appearance of brightness, like the gleam of glowing metal.
Eze.8.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- תבנית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקחני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בציצת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ראשי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
- ותשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- ירושלמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במראות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפנימית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הפונה: VERB,qal,part,f,sg,def
- צפונה: ADV
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שם: ADV
- מושב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סמל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקנאה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המקנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezekiel 3:12-14 (verbal): The Spirit seizes and transports Ezekiel: language of the Spirit entering/ lifting the prophet and carrying him off to hear/see (parallel formula of divine transport in Ezekiel's visions).
- Ezekiel 11:1-13 (thematic): A later Ezekiel scene in which the Spirit brings the prophet to the temple gates to witness idolatrous practices (women weeping for Tammuz, abominations) and the impending departure of Yahweh’s glory—closely related thematic setting to 8:3–6.
- Acts 8:39 (verbal): Philip is 'caught up' or carried away by the Spirit after a vision/encounter—echoes the motif of a prophet being seized and transported by the Spirit into or out of earthly space.
- 2 Kings 2:11 (thematic): Elijah’s being taken up by a whirlwind into heaven parallels the motif of a human taken between earth and heaven, highlighting ancient Israelite imagery of ecstatic/prophetic ascent.
- Revelation 4:1-2 (structural): John is called 'Come up here' and 'in the Spirit' is taken in vision to heaven to see divine realities—a similar visionary transport into God's presence to witness revelatory scenes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he put forth the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heavens and brought me in the vision of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where is the seat of the idol that provokes to jealousy.
- He stretched out the appearance of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where stood the seat of the idol that provokes to jealousy.
Eze.8.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- שם: ADV
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כמראה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בבקעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 1:28 (verbal): Ezekiel 8:4 explicitly echoes the earlier vision language in Ezekiel 1:28—both describe the appearance/likeness of the glory of the LORD seen in the plain.
- Ezekiel 11:23 (thematic): Both passages focus on the presence and movement of the glory of the God of Israel over the city/temple area; 11:23 narrates the glory lifting up and departing from Jerusalem.
- Ezekiel 43:2 (verbal): This later Ezekiel passage likewise describes 'the glory of the God of Israel' coming to the temple, paralleling the motif of divine glory manifesting in a specific location.
- Exodus 40:34-35 (thematic): Exodus describes the cloud/ glory filling the tabernacle—a closely related motif of God’s glory visibly dwelling in the sanctuary, comparable to Ezek 8:4’s manifest presence.
- Isaiah 6:1-4 (thematic): Isaiah’s visionary account of the LORD’s glorious presence filling the temple and eliciting awe from heavenly creatures parallels Ezekiel’s visionary encounter with divine glory in a sacred space.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance that I had seen in the plain.
- And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance that I had seen in the plain.
Eze.8.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צפונה: ADV
- ואשא: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צפונה: ADV
- והנה: ADV
- מצפון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- סמל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקנאה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- בבאה: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:3 (structural): Immediate precursor in the same vision: the prophet is brought to the inner court and told to look, setting the scene for the north‑gate sight in 8:5.
- Ezekiel 8:6 (thematic): Direct continuation that interprets the vision in 8:5, condemning the abominations and linking them to Judah's provocation of divine jealousy.
- Exodus 34:14 (verbal): Uses the language of divine jealousy ('jealous God')—the idea of 'jealousy' (Heb. qenah/kinnah) resonates with the 'symbol of jealousy' seen in Ezek. 8:5.
- 2 Kings 21:4 (thematic): Describes images/idols placed in the house of the LORD (Manasseh's practices), a parallel instance of idolatry within the temple precincts.
- Ezekiel 8:14 (thematic): Another scene in the same chapter showing illicit cultic activity (women weeping for Tammuz), highlighting the broader pattern of temple idolatry to which the 'symbol of jealousy' belongs.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, turn your eyes toward the north. So I turned my eyes toward the north, and behold, at the entrance of the altar, northward, was this idol that provokes to jealousy.
- He said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes toward the north." So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the entrance of the gate was this image of jealousy at the entrance.
Eze.8.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- תועבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- פה: ADV
- לרחקה: PREP+N,fs,sg
- מעל: PREP
- מקדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ועוד: CONJ
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- תועבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:12 (verbal): Repeats the prophetic question "Hast thou seen..." and the description of the people committing great abominations and asserting that the LORD does not see or has forsaken the land—closely echoing the language and theme of 8:6.
- Ezekiel 10:18-19 (thematic): Describes the glory of the LORD departing from the temple as a consequence of the abominations seen in chapters 8–10, directly linking the vision of temple defilement in 8:6 with God’s withdrawal.
- Ezekiel 11:22-23 (thematic): Reports the departure of the LORD’s glory from the city and Mount of Olives after the visions of idolatry, reinforcing the theme in 8:6 that the sanctuary is abandoned because of Israel’s abominations.
- 2 Chronicles 36:14-21 (thematic): Summarizes Judah’s persistent desecration and idolatry leading to God’s judgment and the temple’s ruin/exile—paralleling Ezekiel’s charge that Israel’s abominations cause God to remove his presence from the sanctuary.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness—every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.' Yet you will see still greater abominations.
- And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, driving me far from my sanctuary? Yet you will see still greater abominations."
Eze.8.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החצר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואראה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- והנה: ADV
- חר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:8 (structural): Immediate continuation of the vision—explains that the hole in the wall revealed images and secret worship by the elders.
- 2 Kings 21:4-7 (thematic): Manasseh's placing of altars and carved images in the house of the LORD parallels the theme of temple defilement exposed in Ezekiel's vision.
- 2 Chronicles 33:4-7 (thematic): Parallel account of widespread idolatry (altars to foreign gods, Asherah) in the temple, providing historical background for the corrupt practices Ezekiel uncovers.
- Isaiah 29:15 (thematic): Condemnation of those who hide their deeds and practice secret counsel resonates with the motif of hidden/secret worship revealed through the hole in the wall.
- Amos 5:26-27 (thematic): Accusation that Israel brought foreign gods into their worship and carried them among their assemblies echoes the charge of illicit idols being honored within Israel's sacred precincts.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he brought me to the entrance of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall.
- Then he brought me to the entrance of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall.
Eze.8.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חתר: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואחתר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והנה: ADV
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:7-12 (structural): Immediate context: the prophet is commanded to uncover a secret chamber in the temple wall and there finds idolatrous images and worship—direct continuation/expansion of 8:8.
- 2 Chronicles 33:4-7 (thematic): Manasseh’s installation of idols and altars in the temple and throughout Jerusalem parallels Ezekiel’s exposure of profanation and secret idolatry within the sacred precincts.
- Jeremiah 32:31-35 (thematic): Jeremiah catalogs the people’s practice of putting carved images and altars in houses and the temple, echoing the theme of hidden or domesticized idol worship condemned in Ezekiel 8.
- 1 Kings 11:7 (thematic): Solomon’s construction of high places and foreign shrines in Israel’s cultic spaces parallels Ezekiel’s concern with the corrupting presence of foreign worship within Israel’s religious center.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, dig through the wall. So I dug through the wall, and behold a door.
- He said to me, "Son of man, dig through the wall." So I dug through the wall, and there was a doorway.
Eze.8.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וראה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- התועבות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- הרעות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- פה: ADV
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same vision sequence: both verses use the prophetic address to observe the people's abominations (similar wording: 'Seest thou what they do'/'Come, see the abominations').
- Jeremiah 7:30–31 (thematic): Both passages condemn 'abominations' placed in the house of the Lord; Jeremiah likewise indicts Judah for performing idolatrous practices within the temple precincts.
- 2 Kings 21:11 (thematic): Describes kingly actions that filled the temple with abominations (Manasseh); provides a historical precedent for the kind of temple defilement Ezekiel is shown.
- Revelation 17:1 (structural): Uses the same visionary framing device—'Come, I will show you'—to introduce a revelation concerning spiritual/profane corruption and impending judgment, paralleling Ezekiel's summons to behold abominations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Go in, and see the wicked abominations that they do here.
- And he said to me, "Come in, and see the wicked abominations that they are doing here."
Eze.8.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואבוא: VERB,qal,imperf,1,sg
- ואראה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- והנה: ADV
- כל: DET
- תבנית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רמש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובהמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שקץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- גלולי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחקה: VERB,piel,ptcp,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הקיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:5-6 (verbal): Immediate context: the prophet is shown idolatrous images and secret worship in the inner court and on the walls—directly parallels the description of images of creeping things and idols painted 'round about' in v.10.
- Ezekiel 8:12 (thematic): Continues the theme of temple defilement: elders and inhabitants worship images in the house, provoking God's anger—develops the same charge against Israel's cultic idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 4:15-19 (verbal): Prohibition against making any carved image or likeness of things in heaven, earth or water (including creeping things and beasts); echoes the language and concern about picturing creatures and forming idols.
- 2 Kings 21:7 (thematic): Manasseh set up an Asherah and made carved images in the house of the LORD—an historical instance of idol-installation within the temple that parallels Ezekiel's vision of temple images.
- 2 Chronicles 33:7 (allusion): Reports Manasseh placing a carved image in God's house and passing children through the fire—another account of temple defilement that echoes the abominable images Ezekiel reports.
Alternative generated candidates
- So I went in and looked, and behold, every form of creeping thing and detestable beast, and all the idols of the house of Israel portrayed all around the walls.
- So I went in and looked, and behold, on the wall all around were every form of creeping thing and detestable beast and all the idols of the house of Israel painted all around.
Eze.8.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושבעים: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזקני: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאזניהו: PNOUN,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפן: PNOUN,m,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בתוכם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקטרתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ועתר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקטרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 11:16 (structural): Moses is instructed to gather seventy elders of Israel — the motif of 'seventy elders' links Ezekiel’s description (a council of elders) to the canonical tradition of Israelite leadership.
- Exodus 24:9-11 (allusion): Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and seventy elders ascend and 'see God' and eat/drink in his presence; Ezekiel’s seventy elders standing before images perverts this earlier, sacred assembly.
- Exodus 30:7-8 (verbal): Prescribes the regular burning of incense with a censer (Aaron to burn incense morning and evening) — language and ritual use of censers/incense echo the civic/ritual act in Ezekiel 8:11.
- Leviticus 16:12 (verbal): Describes the high priest taking a censer full of burning coals and placing incense on it for atonement; parallels Ezekiel’s image of individuals holding censers and the rising cloud of incense.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16 (thematic): King Uzziah unlawfully burns incense in the temple and is punished — thematically parallels the improper/ idolatrous use of incense by leaders in Ezekiel’s vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- And seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel were there, and Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan was standing among them; each had his censer in his hand, and a cloud of incense rose.
- Seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel were standing there, and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan stood among them—each with his censer in his hand—and a cloud of incense rose.
Eze.8.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- בחשך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחדרי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- משכיתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- אתנו: PRON,1,pl
- עזב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Psalm 94:7 (verbal): Contains nearly identical language: 'They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive,”' echoing the elders' claim that God does not see them.
- Psalm 10:11 (verbal): The wicked say in their heart that God has forgotten or will not see—verbal parallel to the assertion that 'the LORD has forsaken the land.'
- Isaiah 29:15 (allusion): Condemns those who hide their counsel and ask rhetorically 'Who sees us? Who knows our secret?'—a similar presumption of secrecy from God’s sight.
- Proverbs 15:3 (thematic): Affirms the opposite theological point—'The eyes of the LORD are in every place'—countering the claim that God does not see their deeds.
- Hebrews 4:13 (thematic): New Testament restatement of divine omniscience—'nothing is hidden from his sight'—addresses the same issue of secret sin and God’s awareness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the darkness, every one in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, 'The Lord does not see us; the Lord has forsaken the land.'
- And he said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the darkness, every one in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the earth.'"
Eze.8.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עוד: ADV
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- תועבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:6 (verbal): Same prophetic prompting—'Hast thou seen... the great abominations'—the identical question and charge about abominations in the house of Israel.
- Ezekiel 8:17 (structural): Continues the chapter's escalation: describes the elders/women committing temple abominations (sun worship), showing the 'greater abominations' the seer is shown.
- 2 Kings 21:11-15 (thematic): God condemns Manasseh for committing abominations in the house of the LORD (idolatry, altars, child sacrifice), a parallel instance of profaning the temple that provokes judgment.
- Jeremiah 32:33 (thematic): Accuses Israel and Judah of joining other gods and committing abominations (including child sacrifice and foreign worship), echoing the prophetic indictment of covenant-breaking idolatries.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, You will again see greater abominations than these.
- He said to me, "You will again see still greater abominations that they commit."
Eze.8.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אל: NEG
- הצפונה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- שם: ADV
- הנשים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ישבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מבכות: VERB,qal,ptc,f,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- התמוז: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:18 (thematic): Speaks of women making cakes for the 'queen of heaven' — parallels female-led, domestic cultic rites and syncretistic worship described in Ezekiel's vision of women mourning for Tammuz.
- Jeremiah 44:15-19 (thematic): Records households (notably women) persisting in worship of the 'queen of heaven' despite prophetic rebuke — comparable to the continued popular idolatrous mourning for Tammuz in Ezekiel.
- 2 Kings 23:4-7 (structural): Describes Josiah's removal of idolatrous installations and women's cultic activities (e.g., hangings for the grove) near the temple — a historical parallel to Ezekiel's exposure of illicit, female-associated worship at the temple precincts.
- 1 Kings 11:5-8 (thematic): Reports Solomon's participation in and tolerance of worship of foreign deities introduced by foreign wives (Ashtoreth, Milcom) — an example of royal/societal syncretism akin to the adoption of Babylonian cultic practices (such as mourning for Tammuz).
- Psalm 106:28-31 (thematic): Recounts Israel's joining themselves to Baal and engaging in sacrificial/ritual practices that provoked God's anger — thematically parallels the idolatrous rites and lamentation for pagan deities depicted in Ezekiel 8:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and behold, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.
- Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and behold, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.
Eze.8.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- תשוב: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- תועבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- מאלה: PREP+DEM
Parallels
- Ezekiel 8:6 (verbal): Same prophetic frame and rhetorical question — 'Son of man, do you see…?' — introducing visions of the temple's corrupt practices; 8:15 builds on this initial summons to look.
- Ezekiel 8:17 (structural): Continuation of the chapter's progression: after being shown earlier abominations the prophet is told he will see yet greater ones and God's consequent wrath — parallels the intensifying revelation and judgment theme.
- Jeremiah 7:30-31 (thematic): Condemns 'abominations' set up in the house called by God's name and cites detestable practices (e.g., child sacrifice) — thematically parallels Ezekiel's exposure of temple/idolatrous abominations.
- 2 Kings 21:11-16 (thematic): Describes Manasseh's profanation of the temple (idols, child sacrifice) and the resulting anger of the LORD, echoing Ezekiel's vision of outrageous temple abominations that provoke judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, have you seen this? Yet you will see still greater abominations.
- He said to me, "Have you seen, son of man? Yet you shall see still greater abominations than these."
Eze.8.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- חצר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הפנימית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- האולם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כעשרים: NUM,card
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ופניהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- קדמה: ADV
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- משתחויתם: VERB,hithpael,impf,3,m,pl
- קדמה: ADV
- לשמש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 23:11 (thematic): Describes objects and horses dedicated to the sun at the entrance of the house of the LORD—shows official/temple-associated solar cult activity analogous to the men in Ezekiel worshipping the sun in the temple court.
- 2 Chronicles 33:5 (thematic): Reports King Manasseh building altars in the house of the LORD and worshipping the host of heaven (sun, moon, stars), paralleling Ezekiel's vision of celestial/idolatrous worship within the temple precincts.
- Amos 5:26 (allusion): Accuses Israel of bearing Sikkuth and Kiyyun (stellar/idolatrous figures) and of worshipping the 'star of your god'—a prophetic condemnation of heavenly-body worship thematically resonant with Ezekiel's sun-worship scene.
- Acts 7:43 (quotation): Stephen quotes Amos 5:26–27 to charge Israel with worshipping celestial idols and being exiled—this New Testament citation echoes the same tradition of criticizing Israelite temple-based astral cults found in Ezekiel 8:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and behold, at the opening of the temple between the porch and the altar there were about twenty-five men, following them to the house of the LORD; their faces were toward the east, and they bowed eastward, prostrating themselves to the sun.
- And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD. At the entrance of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the house of the LORD and their faces toward the east; they were bowing eastward to the sun.
Eze.8.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- הראית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנקל: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- התועבות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פה: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- מלאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- חמס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להכעיסני: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf,1,m,sg
- והנם: CONJ+DEM,3,m,pl
- שלחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הזמורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- אפם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 6:11-13 (verbal): Uses the same language and idea — the earth/mankind 'filled with violence' (מלאה הארץ חמס) as the warrant for divine judgment against pervasive wickedness.
- Ezekiel 8:12 (quotation): Immediate parallel within the chapter: the elders' claim 'The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth' explains why they commit secret abominations, directly echoing the attitude described in 8:17.
- Psalm 10:11 (thematic): The wicked assert that God has forgotten or does not see their deeds ('He hides his face'), echoing the same cynical denial of God's oversight found in Ezekiel 8:17.
- Isaiah 59:7-8 (thematic): Describes a society whose ways are violence and bloodshed and whose paths are darkness — thematically parallel to the land 'filled with violence' and the hidden abominations that provoke God in Ezekiel 8:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to me, Son of man, is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence and have returned to provoke me to anger—and behold, they thrust the branch to their nostrils (that is, they openly offer incense to provoke me).
- And he said to me, "Have you seen, son of man, what the leaders of the house of Judah are doing in the darkness—every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they have filled the land with violence and have set themselves to provoke me to anger; behold, they thrust the branch toward their nose."
Eze.8.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- בחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחוס: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- ולא: CONJ
- אחמל: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- וקראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- אשמע: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
Parallels
- Isaiah 1:15 (verbal): God declares that when the people perform hypocritical worship He will hide His eyes and will not hear their prayers—closely parallels Ezek.8:18’s language of refusing to hear and not showing pity.
- Jeremiah 11:14 (verbal): The LORD tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people because He will not listen to them—a direct verbal/thematic parallel to God’s refusal to hear cries in Ezek.8:18 due to the people’s sin.
- Jeremiah 14:11 (verbal): God again instructs Jeremiah not to intercede, saying He will not accept or listen to the people’s pleas—echoing Ezekiel’s theme that loud cries will not move God in judgment.
- Psalm 66:18 (thematic): The psalm states that if one harbors iniquity God will not hear them—a theological parallel explaining the principle behind Ezek.8:18’s refusal to show pity or listen because of persistent sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore will I deal in fury; my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity. Although they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet I will not hear them.
- Therefore I will act in wrath; my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. Although they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not listen."
In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, while I sat in my house and the elders of Judah sat before me, the hand of the Lord GOD was upon me there.
I looked, and behold a form like the appearance of fire: from its loins downward a fire, and from its loins upward a gleam like the appearance of amber. And he put forth the likeness of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the image of jealousy, the throne that provokes to jealousy, stood. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the appearance that I had seen in the plain. And he said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes northward." So I lifted up my eyes northward, and behold, toward the north of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy was at the entrance. And he said to me, "Son of man, see with your eyes what great abominations the house of Israel are doing here, that I may be driven far from my sanctuary; and you will see still greater abominations."
Then he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. And he said to me, "Dig through the wall." So I dug through the wall, and behold there was a door. And he said to me, "Come in, and see the wicked abominations that they are doing here." So I entered and looked, and behold, every form of creeping thing and detestable beast, and all the idols of the house of Israel, were portrayed all around on the wall. And seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, stood before them; each had his censer in his hand, and the cloud of incense went up.
Then he said to me, "Have you seen, son of man, what the elders of the house of Israel do in the darkness, every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.'" And he said to me, "You will see still greater abominations than these."
Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and behold, women sitting there weeping for Tammuz.
He said to me, "Have you seen, son of man? Yet you will see still greater abominations." And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and behold, at the opening of the temple, between the temple and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the house of the LORD and their faces toward the east; they worshiped the sun toward the east. And he said to me, "Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence and have returned to provoke me—indeed, they openly taunt me."
Therefore I will deal in fury; my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. Although they cry in my ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.