Ezekiel 8:4

Translations

Modern

And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain.

Traditional

And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

Literal

And behold, there was the glory of the God of Israel, according to the vision that I had seen in the plain.

Latin

Et ecce ibi gloria Dei Israël, secundum visionem quam videram in campo.

Original

Hebrew

English

And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain.

Notes

Ezekiel 8:3–6

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.

Ezekiel 8:3–16

God showed Ezekiel four scenes of increasing abomination (a deeply offensive act). In each scene, the people of Israel were worshiping false gods inside the Lord’s temple.

Jerusalem’s defilement (moral and spiritual uncleanness) was complete. Idolatry (the worship of false gods) took place in many parts of the temple. Different groups of people were involved. They worshiped different gods. These gods came from many foreign cultures.

This was not one small sin. It was a mixture of many false religions brought together in one place. One abomination was added to another.

Ezekiel 8:1–18

In a vision, the prophet Ezekiel saw four ways the people defiled their land. This vision explains why the Lord's presence left his sanctuary.

Ezekiel 8:1–11:25

This section describes how the people defiled (made unclean by sin) the temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8). Because of this sin, the Lord left the temple. After he left, the city and the temple were destroyed (9:1–11:13).

At first, this sounds like only bad news. But for those already living in exile, it was also good news. The Lord was not limited to the temple in Jerusalem. He would come to be with his people in exile.

By coming to dwell with them, the Lord showed that the exiles were not forgotten. They were the ones who carried hope for the future of God’s people.

Theme notes and profiles

Apostasy God’s Glory with His People Jerusalem Temple Legislation as Theology

Events

Prophecies of Ezekielc. 593 BC

Related verses

Ezekiel 3:22–23
And there the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He said to me, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak with you.”
Ezekiel 1:26–28
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.
Ezekiel 10:1–4
And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads of the cherubim, the likeness of a throne of sapphire.
Exodus 40:34–35
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
2 Corinthians 4:4–6
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Ezekiel 11:22–23
Then the cherubim, with the wheels beside them, spread their wings, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.
Exodus 25:22
And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
Ezekiel 9:3
Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Ezekiel 43:2–4
…and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of

Topics

God: Glory of Jealousy: Image of Visions: To Ezekiel (See Chapters 10, 40-48 of Ezekiel)

Ezekiel 8:4

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