Ezekiel 8:1-8

1 et factum est in anno sexto in sexto mense in quinta mensis ego sedebam in domo mea et senes Iuda sedebant coram me et cecidit super me ibi manus Domini Dei

2 et vidi et ecce similitudo quasi aspectus ignis ab aspectu lumborum eius et deorsum ignis et a lumbis eius et sursum quasi aspectus splendoris ut visio electri

3 et emissa similitudo manus adprehendit me in cincinno capitis mei et elevavit me spiritus inter terram et caelum et adduxit in Hierusalem in visione Dei iuxta ostium interius quod respiciebat aquilonem ubi erat statutum idolum zeli ad provocandam aemulationem

4 et ecce ibi gloria Dei Israhel secundum visionem quam videram in campo

5 et dixit ad me fili hominis leva oculos tuos ad viam aquilonis et levavi oculos meos ad viam aquilonis et ecce ab aquilone portae altaris idolum zeli in ipso introitu

6 et dixit ad me fili hominis putasne vides tu quid isti faciant abominationes magnas quas domus Israhel facit hic ut procul recedam a sanctuario meo et adhuc conversus videbis abominationes maiores

7 et introduxit me ad ostium atrii et vidi et ecce foramen unum in pariete

8 et dixit ad me fili hominis fode parietem et cum perfodissem parietem apparuit ostium unum

Ezekiel 8:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 8

This chapter contains a vision the prophet had of the idolatry of the Jews, which was the cause of their destruction. The time when, place, where, and persons with whom he was, when the hand of the Lord came upon him, are mentioned, Eze 8:1; then follows a description of the divine Person that appeared to him, Eze 8:2; and an account is given how he was in a visionary way brought to Jerusalem, and to the temple, where he saw the glory of the God of Israel, and the idolatry of the people, Eze 8:3,4; which latter was gradually represented to him; first the image of jealousy in the entry at the gate of the altar northward, Eze 8:5; then greater abominations through a hole in the wall, by which he saw their idols, in the form of reptiles and four footed beasts, portrayed on the wall, Eze 8:6-10; next seventy of the ancients of Israel, among whom were one mentioned by name, offering incense to these idols, Eze 8:11,12; after this, greater abominations still are showed him, at the north of the temple, women weeping for Tammuz, Eze 8:13,14; and then again far greater ones, twenty five men, between the porch and the altar, with their backs to the temple, and their face to the east, worshipping the sun, and putting the branch to the nose, Eze 8:15-17; wherefore it is reasoned to deal with them in fury, without any mercy, pity, and compassion, Eze 8:18.