ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezekiel 8

Ezek. 8:1–11:25 Ezekiel’s “temple vision,” the second of his four dramatic visions, has strong connections with the opening vision (chs. 1–3) and the concluding vision (chs. 40–48), which is a mirror image to this one. In his vision, Ezekiel is taken on a tour and is shown a series of pictures of idolatrous worship in the temple (ch. 8), the citywide slaughter of idolaters (ch. 9), the destruction of Jerusalem by fire, and the gradual withdrawal of the presence of the Lord from the temple (ch. 10). The vision culminates in the contrast of judgment on wicked officials (11:1–13) with an oracle of hope (11:14–21) before God’s glory departs completely (11:22–25). As a whole, the vision emphasizes God’s righteous rejection of this generation of Judeans.

Ezek. 8:1–18 Ezekiel is transported in his vision to the temple complex at the heart of Jerusalem (vv. 1–4). In a series of locations, including both the center and the periphery of the temple, various cultic practices, termed abominations, are revealed.

Ezek. 8:1 The vision took place in September 592 b.c., just over a year after the inaugural vision (see 1:1–3:27). Clearly there were “prophets” among the exiles stirring up rebellion (see Jer. 29:20–23). Thus the elders seek a word from Ezekiel.

Ezek. 8:3 When interpreting chs. 8–11, one must keep in mind that what Ezekiel sees are dreamlike visions of God. This is spiritual, not “natural,” reality. The inner gateway locates Ezekiel within the temple-palace complex, but not yet at its center.

Ezek. 8:4 glory. See note on 1:28.

Ezek. 8:5–6 The first of the four scenes finds Ezekiel with his back to the altar, facing an image of jealousy, which remains unidentified. The vagueness is deliberate: focus remains on what provokes God’s outrage, not on the specifics of the image itself. It will get worse (still greater abominations; see vv. 13, 15). These sins are “greater” in the sense of being more hateful to God. This can be because of such factors as bringing him more dishonor, bringing greater harm to others, expressing defiance of God’s warnings or indifference to his love, sinning more boldly in public, or sinning by those with greater responsibility.

Ezek. 8:10 The images engraved on the walls break the second commandment (Ex. 20:4) and violate the standards in Deut. 4:15–18.

Ezek. 8:11 The presence of Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan among the 70 elders may have been a shock. He was probably a member of the clan of Shaphan (2 Kings 22:8–10), which had proved loyal to Yahweh’s cause in Jeremiah’s ministry (e.g., Jer. 26:24).

Ezek. 8:14–15 Moving farther north, Ezekiel sees women weeping for Tammuz. This ancient Mesopotamian cult celebrated the shepherd-king and god of vegetation. Mourning rites among women in this cult are recorded in extrabiblical sources.

Ezek. 8:16 The final scene, which is the briefest, states simply and starkly the worst of the offenses against God. The twenty-five men are not further identified, but the location between the porch and the altar would normally be reserved for priests. At this sacred place they worship the sun, which is prohibited in Deut. 4:19. This action contrasts sharply with what priests ought to do here (compare Ps. 26:6–7; Joel 2:17).