Ezekiel 16:2

Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Son {H1121} of man {H120}, cause Jerusalem {H3389} to know {H3045} her abominations {H8441},

"Human being, make Yerushalayim realize how disgusting her practices are.

“Son of man, confront Jerusalem with her abominations

Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations;

In Ezekiel 16:2, the prophet Ezekiel receives a direct divine command: "Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,". This verse serves as the powerful opening to one of the most vivid and extended allegories in the Old Testament, where God uses the imagery of an abandoned infant raised to maturity, only to become a harlot, to describe Jerusalem’s profound spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry.

Context

Ezekiel, a prophet serving during the Babylonian exile, often delivered challenging messages of judgment and hope to the exiled Jewish community. His ministry frequently involved symbolic actions and elaborate parables to convey God's message. Chapter 16 is a detailed indictment of Jerusalem, representing the nation of Judah, highlighting her historical and ongoing rebellion against God. The command in verse 2 sets the stage for a divine exposé, where God meticulously lays bare the city's sins, from its humble beginnings to its egregious acts of spiritual adultery and alliances with pagan nations. This chapter stands as a stark reminder of the covenant relationship God had with Israel and their repeated failure to uphold it, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books, such as in the allegories found in Hosea's prophecy concerning Israel's unfaithfulness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Indictment: The verse immediately signals God's righteous anger and His intention to reveal the full extent of Jerusalem's sins. This is not merely a warning but a detailed list of charges.
  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The "abominations" primarily refer to Jerusalem's embrace of pagan worship, foreign alliances that compromised their loyalty to God, and the adoption of detestable practices from surrounding nations. This was a direct violation of the covenant, particularly the first commandment found in Exodus 20:3, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me".
  • God's Justice and Sovereignty: This command underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, His awareness of their actions, and His commitment to justice. He does not overlook sin.
  • Call to Awareness (leading to potential Repentance): While the immediate outcome was judgment, the purpose of revealing these "abominations" was to bring Jerusalem to a full awareness of her guilt, ideally leading to a change of heart and a return to God, though in this context, the focus is on the severity of the sin.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Son of man" (Hebrew: ben 'adam, בֶּן־אָדָם): This is God’s frequent address to Ezekiel, appearing over 90 times in the book. It emphasizes Ezekiel’s humanity and mortality, contrasting with the divine authority of the message he delivers. It highlights that the prophet is a mere mortal delivering a powerful, divine word, as seen from Ezekiel's initial call in Ezekiel 2:1.
  • "Abominations" (Hebrew: to'ebah, תּוֹעֵבָה): This strong term refers to practices or things that are detestable, abhorrent, or repugnant to God. In the Old Testament, it is frequently used to describe idolatry, pagan rituals, and various forms of moral corruption, especially those connected to spiritual unfaithfulness.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 16:2 reminds us that God desires His people to be fully aware of their spiritual condition. Just as Jerusalem was called to confront her "abominations," we are also called to examine our lives for anything that takes precedence over God or violates His divine will. This verse encourages introspection and honesty about our own spiritual fidelity. It highlights the seriousness of spiritual complacency and the subtle ways idolatry can manifest, not just in overt idol worship, but in anything we prioritize above God. Understanding our "abominations" is the first step towards true repentance and a renewed relationship with our Creator.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 22:2

    Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

  • Ezekiel 20:4

    Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge [them]? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:

  • Isaiah 58:1

    ¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

  • Ezekiel 23:36

    ¶ The LORD said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations;

  • Ezekiel 8:9

    And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.

  • Ezekiel 8:17

    Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

  • Hosea 8:1

    ¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

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