In the first abomination, the large idol was probably an image of the Canaanite goddess Asherah. The people had placed it at the gate to guard the city from attack.
Most of Jerusalem’s enemies had attacked from the north. This may explain why the idol stood at the north gate. The people believed this false goddess would protect them.
This idol made the Lord very jealous. The Lord alone deserved honor and worship as Israel’s protector (Psalm 121:1–4). The Lord was offended because the people trusted an idol to guard the city he had chosen.