Ezekiel 20:8

KJV

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

But they rebelled {H4784} against me, and would {H14} not hearken {H8085} unto me: they did not every man {H376} cast away {H7993} the abominations {H8251} of their eyes {H5869}, neither did they forsake {H5800} the idols {H1544} of Egypt {H4714}: then I said {H559}, I will pour out {H8210} my fury {H2534} upon them, to accomplish {H3615} my anger {H639} against them in the midst {H8432} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'But they rebelled against me and wouldn't listen to me; they did not, each of them, throw away the detestable things that drew their eyes; and they did not abandon the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my fury on them and spend my anger on them there in the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 20:8 powerfully recounts Israel's immediate and profound rebellion against God during their enslavement in Egypt, even prior to the full deliverance of the Exodus. Despite witnessing divine power and promises, the Israelites stubbornly refused to abandon the detestable idols and defiling practices of their Egyptian oppressors. This pervasive spiritual unfaithfulness provoked God's righteous anger, leading Him to declare His intent to pour out His fury upon them, a judgment that was narrowly averted but established a critical precedent for their future unfaithfulness and the subsequent divine discipline throughout their history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezekiel 20 opens with a delegation of Israelite elders from the Babylonian exile approaching the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord. Rather than providing the direct answer they sought, God, through Ezekiel, launches into a sweeping historical recounting of Israel's persistent rebellion against Him. This narrative begins with their earliest days in Egypt, continues through the wilderness wanderings, the conquest of Canaan, and into the monarchy, culminating in their present exile. This comprehensive historical survey serves to justify God's judgment upon them, demonstrating that their exile is not arbitrary but a just consequence of their long-standing and ingrained unfaithfulness. Verse 8 specifically focuses on the initial rebellion of the generation in Egypt, setting the stage for the recurring pattern of disobedience that defines much of Israel's history as presented in this chapter. The Lord's remarkable patience and covenant faithfulness are highlighted against the backdrop of their immediate and repeated provocations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period referenced in Ezekiel 20:8 is the time of Israel's enslavement in Egypt, immediately preceding and leading up to the Exodus event. During their centuries in Egypt, the Israelites were deeply influenced by Egyptian polytheism, which permeated every aspect of daily life, from agricultural practices to funerary rites and the worship of various animal deities. Egyptian gods such as Ra, Osiris, Isis, and cults centered around animals like Apis the bull were central to their culture and visible everywhere. The "abominations of their eyes" and "idols of Egypt" likely refer to the visible, tangible manifestations of these pagan cults that the Israelites had become accustomed to, and perhaps even participated in, despite their ancestral covenant with Yahweh. God's command to "cast away" and "forsake" these practices was a radical call to spiritual separation and exclusive devotion to Him, a concept often foreign to the syncretistic tendencies prevalent in the ancient Near East. Their failure to do so, even amidst the miraculous signs of impending deliverance, underscores the profound spiritual challenge they faced.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Ezekiel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Israel's Chronic Rebellion**, demonstrating that their unfaithfulness was not an isolated incident but a deep-seated pattern evident from their very inception as a nation. This stubbornness and stiff-neckedness are recurring motifs, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 9:7](/deuteronomy/9-7 "Deuteronomy 9:7 - Moses Recounts Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness"). Secondly, the verse underscores the pervasive problem of **Idolatry and Spiritual Defilement**. The "idols of Egypt" represent a fundamental violation of God's covenant, particularly the [First and Second Commandments](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First and Second Commandments"). This spiritual impurity, witnessed by God's "eyes" (as implied by "abominations of their eyes"), was a direct affront to His holiness and an act of spiritual adultery. Finally, the declaration "I will pour out my fury upon them" introduces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Righteous Anger**. God's anger is not capricious but a just and holy response to persistent rebellion and covenant breaking. While this specific judgment in Egypt was ultimately withheld for His name's sake (as the subsequent verses in [Ezekiel 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History") explain), it foreshadows the inevitable consequences of unrepentant sin throughout Israel's history, culminating in the Babylonian exile.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebelled (Hebrew, _mârâh'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to be bitter" or "unpleasant," this word figuratively means "to rebel" or "resist," and causatively, "to provoke." In Ezekiel 20:8, it signifies Israel's active and deliberate defiance against God's authority and commands. It's not merely a passive failure to comply but an intentional act of opposition, making their sin deeply offensive and a direct challenge to the divine will.
* **Abominations (Hebrew, _shiqqûwts'_):** This term denotes something "disgusting," "filthy," or "detestable," specifically referring to idolatrous objects or practices. The phrase "abominations of their eyes" indicates that these were things they saw, desired, and participated in, suggesting a deep-seated spiritual corruption that originated from their gaze and heart, leading them to engage in practices abhorrent to God's holiness.
* **Fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "heat," this word figuratively describes intense anger, rage, or indignation. When applied to God, it signifies His righteous and fervent displeasure against sin and rebellion. The declaration "I will pour out my fury" emphasizes the severity, intensity, and imminent nature of the divine judgment provoked by Israel's persistent rebellion and idolatry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me":** This opening clause immediately establishes the core issue: Israel's direct and active defiance of God. "Rebelled" (mârâh) signifies a deliberate act of insubordination and opposition, while "would not hearken" (from shâma', meaning to hear intelligently with implication of obedience) highlights their refusal to listen to or obey God's voice, commands, or warnings. This indicates a hardened heart and a profound lack of trust and submission to their deliverer.
* **"they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt":** This second clause specifies the nature of their rebellion: a widespread failure to separate from the pagan practices and objects of their oppressors. "Every man" underscores the pervasive nature of this disobedience, indicating a universal spiritual compromise within the community. "Abominations of their eyes" refers to detestable idolatrous practices that were visually appealing or culturally ingrained, while "idols of Egypt" points directly to the false gods and cultic objects of the land from which God was delivering them. Their refusal to "cast away" (shâlak, to throw out/away) and "forsake" (ʻâzab, to relinquish) demonstrates their deep spiritual attachment to these defiling influences, prioritizing them over their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **"then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt":** This final clause reveals God's righteous and decisive response to their persistent unfaithfulness. His declaration to "pour out my fury" (shâphak chêmâh) and "accomplish my anger" (kâlâh 'aph) signifies a decisive and complete act of judgment. The repetition of "fury" and "anger" (chêmâh and 'aph) emphasizes the intensity and totality of His displeasure. The phrase "in the midst of the land of Egypt" highlights the irony and gravity of the situation: God was prepared to judge them even before fully delivering them from slavery, underscoring the severity of their sin in His sight and the immediate threat of divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 20:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of Israel's rebellion and God's righteous response. **Repetition** is evident in the dual emphasis on Israel's failure to abandon idolatry ("abominations of their eyes" and "idols of Egypt") and God's intense displeasure ("my fury" and "my anger"), underscoring the pervasive nature of their sin and the seriousness of its consequences. The phrase "abominations of their eyes" utilizes **metonymy**, where "eyes" represent not just the physical organs but the desires, affections, and spiritual inclination of the heart that lead to spiritual defilement. This also implies a degree of **personification** of the idols as objects of desire and devotion. The declaration "I will pour out my fury" is a vivid **metaphor** comparing divine wrath to a liquid being poured, suggesting an overwhelming, inescapable, and complete outpouring of judgment. The entire verse serves as a powerful **foreshadowing**, setting a pattern of rebellion and divine response that would characterize Israel's history, making this early incident a microcosm of their future relationship with God and the inevitable consequences of unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 20:8 serves as a stark reminder that God's covenant with Israel demanded exclusive loyalty and absolute separation from paganism, a demand they failed from the outset. This early rebellion and attachment to idolatry highlight a foundational theological truth: sin is not merely an external act but stems from a heart that refuses to truly "hearken" to God and cast away competing affections. God's righteous anger, though withheld in this instance for the sake of His holy name, underscores His justice and the inevitable consequences of persistent unfaithfulness. This pattern of rebellion, divine patience, and eventual judgment is a recurring theme throughout salvation history, revealing both God's unwavering holiness and His profound commitment to His covenant purposes, even when His people fail to uphold their end.

* [Deuteronomy 9:7](/deuteronomy/9-7 "Deuteronomy 9:7 - Moses Recounts Israel's Rebellion")
* [Psalm 78:10-11](/psalms/78-10-11 "Psalm 78:10-11 - Israel's Disobedience and Forgetfulness")
* [Jeremiah 44:22](/jeremiah/44-22 "Jeremiah 44:22 - The Lord's Fury Poured Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel 20:8 offers a profound mirror for contemporary believers, revealing the perennial human struggle with divided loyalties and the insidious nature of spiritual syncretism. Just as ancient Israel clung to the "idols of Egypt" even as God was delivering them, we too can find ourselves holding onto "abominations of our eyes"—worldly values, cultural norms, or personal comforts that subtly compete for the supreme place in our hearts that belongs to God alone. This verse challenges us to examine what we behold, what we desire, and what we refuse to "cast away" or "forsake" in our lives. True spiritual freedom, as demonstrated by God's call to Israel, requires a radical and exclusive devotion to Him, a willingness to shed every defiling influence, and a commitment to truly "hearken" and obey His voice. Our spiritual health and the purity of our walk with God depend on our readiness to identify and abandon anything that compromises our devotion, lest we, like Israel, provoke divine displeasure through our own stubborn rebellion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "abominations of the eyes" or "idols of Egypt" might I be clinging to in my own life, even while claiming to follow God?**
* **In what areas am I failing to truly "hearken" (listen and obey) God's voice, perhaps out of stubbornness or a desire for worldly comfort?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous anger against sin motivate me to pursue greater holiness and exclusive devotion?**

### FAQ
**Why did God not pour out His fury on Israel in Egypt as He threatened?**

Answer: While Ezekiel 20:8 records God's righteous declaration to pour out His fury due to Israel's rebellion and idolatry in Egypt, the subsequent verses in [Ezekiel 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History") explain that God withheld His hand "for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out" ([Ezekiel 20:9](/ezekiel/20-9 "Ezekiel 20:9 - God Withholds Judgment for His Name's Sake")). This demonstrates God's profound commitment to His reputation and redemptive plan. His primary concern was not merely to punish, but to ensure His glory and faithfulness were not diminished or misunderstood among the nations. His mercy and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, ultimately prevailed, though their rebellion did lead to severe consequences in the wilderness, as further described throughout [Ezekiel 20](/ezekiel/20 "Ezekiel 20 - Israel's Rebellious History").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 20:8, with its stark portrayal of Israel's ingrained rebellion and idolatry, profoundly underscores the necessity of a new covenant and a new heart, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Israel's failure to "cast away the abominations of their eyes" and "forsake the idols of Egypt" reveals humanity's deep-seated inability to perfectly obey God's commands and overcome sin through sheer willpower or the law. This persistent unfaithfulness necessitated a divine intervention far beyond mere deliverance from physical slavery. Jesus, the true and obedient Israelite, perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law that Israel continually broke. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering the ultimate sacrifice to atone for humanity's "abominations" and "idolatry" ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ inaugurates the New Covenant, where God promises to put His laws in our minds and write them on our hearts ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Promise")), enabling a true spiritual transformation that Israel's generation in Egypt so desperately lacked. He provides the power for believers to truly "forsake the idols" of this world and live in genuine obedience, not by human effort, but by the indwelling Spirit ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Christ by the Spirit")). Thus, Christ is the complete answer to humanity's inherent rebellion, offering both forgiveness for past failures and the transformative power for a life of true devotion to God and freedom from the captivating "abominations of our eyes" ([Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 63:10

But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] he fought against them.

Ezekiel 7:8

Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.

Ezekiel 20:21

Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 5:13

Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken [it] in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.

Ezekiel 20:7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I [am] the LORD your God.

Ezekiel 20:13

But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which [if] a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.

Deuteronomy 9:7

¶ Remember, [and] forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.