Ezekiel 20:8

8 "But they rebelled against Me and were unwilling to listen to Me. None of them threw away the detestable things that were before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them, exhausting My anger against them within the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20:8 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 20:8

But they rebelled against me
All sin is rebellion against God, an act of hostility, especially idolatry; it is refusing homage and casting off allegiance to him: and would not hearken unto me;
to his word by his prophets; so the Targum,

``they rebelled against my word, and would not receive my prophets:''
they did not every man cast away the abominations of his eyes, neither
did they forsake the idols of the Gentiles;
whence it appears that there were some among them that did give in to the idolatry of the Egyptians; and could not be prevailed upon to relinquish it, notwithstanding the favours shown them, and the promises made unto them. The Jewish writers, Jarchi and Kimchi, say that there were many of these wicked men among the Israelites when Moses was sent to them; and that they died in the time of the three days' darkness, so that the Egyptians did not see their fall, and rejoice at it; then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them;
he threatened them, by his prophets, that he would bring down deserved wrath upon them, like a mighty shower of rain: to accomplish mine anger against them;
to bring it upon them to the utmost, and consume them with it: in the midst of the land of Egypt;
and so not bring them forth from thence, is he had promised; but cut them off in it, for their sins and rebellions.

Ezekiel 20:8 In-Context

6 On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, [a land] flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands.
7 I also said to them: Each of you must throw away the detestable things that are before your eyes and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
8 "But they rebelled against Me and were unwilling to listen to Me. None of them threw away the detestable things that were before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I considered pouring out My wrath on them, exhausting My anger against them within the land of Egypt.
9 But I acted for the sake of My name, so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations they were living among, in whose sight I had made Myself known to Israel by bringing them out of Egypt.
10 "So I brought them out of the land of Egypt and led them into the wilderness.
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