Ezekiel 8:14

KJV

Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which [was] toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he brought {H935} me to the door {H6607} of the gate {H8179} of the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004} which was toward the north {H6828}; and, behold, there sat {H3427} women {H802} weeping {H1058} for Tammuz {H8542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He brought me to the entrance of the north gate to ADONAI's house; and there before me were women weeping for Tammuz.

Berean Standard Bible

Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz.

American Standard Version

Then he brought me to the door of the gate of Jehovah’s house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat the women weeping for Tammuz.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezekiel 8:14 vividly portrays a deeply disturbing scene within the prophet's vision of the Jerusalem Temple, where women are observed engaging in the pagan mourning rituals for the deity Tammuz at a prominent gate of the Lord's sacred house. This act represents a profound spiritual abomination and a blatant display of idolatry, serving as irrefutable evidence of Israel's pervasive apostasy and providing divine justification for the severe judgment and impending destruction that would soon befall Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal prophetic vision in [Ezekiel chapter 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - The Vision of Abominations"), where the Lord supernaturally transports Ezekiel from his Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. The purpose of this divine journey is for Ezekiel to witness firsthand the escalating abominations occurring within the sacred precincts of the Temple. The vision unfolds as a series of four progressively more egregious acts of idolatry, each revealing a deeper layer of defilement. It begins with an "image of jealousy" at the north gate ([Ezekiel 8:5](/ezekiel/8-5 "Ezekiel 8:5 - The Image of Jealousy")), followed by seventy elders secretly worshipping images of creeping things and detestable idols in a hidden chamber ([Ezekiel 8:10-12](/ezekiel/8-10-12 "Ezekiel 8:10-12 - The Elders' Secret Idolatry")). This verse, depicting the women weeping for Tammuz, constitutes the third abomination, leading to the climactic fourth scene of men bowing down to the sun in the inner court ([Ezekiel 8:16](/ezekiel/8-16 "Ezekiel 8:16 - Sun Worship in the Temple")). Each successive revelation intensifies the sense of Israel's spiritual corruption, meticulously building the case for God's righteous judgment, which is then dramatically executed in [Ezekiel chapter 9](/ezekiel/9 "Ezekiel 9 - The Slaughter in Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ezekiel's prophetic ministry occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, the early 6th century BCE, which culminated in the devastating Babylonian exile. Though Jerusalem still stood, it was under severe threat or siege from Babylon, and its spiritual condition was dire. The worship of Tammuz, known as Dumuzi in Sumerian mythology, was a prominent fertility cult originating in Mesopotamia. This deity was closely associated with vegetation and the annual cycle of death and rebirth in nature. The "weeping for Tammuz" was an annual ritualistic mourning, typically performed by women during the summer solstice (the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar, later named Tammuz), lamenting his supposed death or descent into the underworld. This ritual was believed to be essential for ensuring the return of fertility to the land. For the Israelites, engaging in such pagan practices, especially within the hallowed grounds of the Temple complex, represented a profound syncretism—a blasphemous blending of the worship of Yahweh with the idolatrous customs of surrounding nations. This was a direct and egregious violation of the Mosaic Law's stringent prohibitions against foreign gods and their associated rituals, as explicitly warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12-29-31 "Deuteronomy 12:29-31 - Warning Against Pagan Practices").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Ezekiel and the broader prophetic literature. It starkly illustrates the theme of **Profound Idolatry**, showcasing Israel's egregious abandonment of exclusive worship of Yahweh in favor of pagan deities. This act is a direct and flagrant violation of the [first commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"), which demands monotheistic devotion. The specific location of this ritual, "the door of the gate of the LORD'S house," emphatically underscores the theme of **Temple Defilement**. It highlights how the sacred space, meticulously designed for God's exclusive presence and pure worship, had been utterly profaned by blasphemous acts, rendering it unfit for divine habitation. This spiritual unfaithfulness is also a vivid manifestation of **Spiritual Adultery**, a recurring prophetic metaphor where Israel, likened to a bride in covenant with God, has forsaken her faithful relationship for illicit spiritual liaisons. Prophets like Jeremiah frequently explore this theme, as seen in [Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8-9 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Judah's Treachery"). Ultimately, this vision, including the scene of women weeping for Tammuz, serves as irrefutable evidence to justify **God's Righteous Indignation** and the impending judgment, demonstrating that the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile were not arbitrary acts but a just and necessary divine response to Israel's persistent and escalating rebellion against their covenant Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** Refers specifically to the "LORD'S house," which is the Temple in Jerusalem. This word (H1004) encompasses a broad range of applications, from a physical dwelling to a family or household. Here, its use emphasizes the sacred nature of the structure as God's designated dwelling place, which is being profoundly defiled. The profanation of God's physical "house" powerfully reflects the deep spiritual decay within the "house" of Israel itself.
* **weeping (Hebrew, _bâkâh'_):** Describes the action of the women mourning. This term (H1058) signifies a deep emotional expression of sorrow, often involving tears and lamentation. In this context, it specifically highlights the ritualistic nature of mourning for Tammuz, an act of devotion and supplication directed towards a pagan deity, which stands in direct blasphemous contrast to the worship and lamentation due exclusively to Yahweh.
* **Tammuz (Hebrew, _Tammûwz'_):** The specific Phoenician/Mesopotamian deity for whom the women are mourning. This proper noun (H8542) denotes a foreign god whose worship was utterly anathema and strictly forbidden to the covenant people of Israel. The very presence of his worship within the sacred precincts of the Temple signifies the complete spiritual compromise and pervasive syncretism that had tragically overtaken Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which [was] toward the north;":** This initial clause precisely establishes the location of the impending abomination. Ezekiel is divinely transported by the Spirit to a prominent and highly accessible entrance of the Temple complex, specifically identified as the north gate. The phrase "door of the gate" suggests a significant public access point, implying that this idolatrous practice was not hidden in secret but brazenly performed in a place visible to many. This public display further underscores the profound depth of Israel's spiritual decline and their open, defiant rebellion against God.
* **"and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.":** This second clause immediately reveals the specific act of idolatry. The prophet observes women, unmistakably Israelite women, deeply engaged in a ritualistic lament. Their "sitting" implies a formal, perhaps prolonged, and dedicated act of mourning. Crucially, the object of their weeping is explicitly identified as "Tammuz," a foreign fertility god. This act of devotion to a pagan deity, performed within the sacred confines of the Temple, represents the ultimate act of spiritual betrayal and an egregious, covenant-breaking violation of God's commands against idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
Ezekiel 8:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message of spiritual apostasy and impending judgment. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "door of the gate of the LORD'S house" powerfully symbolizing the sanctity of God's dwelling place and, by extension, the purity and exclusivity of Israel's covenant relationship with Him. Its defilement by pagan worship signifies the nation's profound spiritual corruption and broken covenant. The act of "weeping for Tammuz" is itself a potent **Symbol** of spiritual adultery and syncretism, representing Israel's unholy alliance with foreign gods and their tragic abandonment of Yahweh. The entire scene is part of a larger **Prophetic Vision**, a common and effective literary form in Ezekiel, which allows for the dramatic revelation of spiritual truths and divine judgment through vivid, often unsettling, imagery. The progressive unveiling of abominations throughout [Ezekiel chapter 8](/ezekiel/8 "Ezekiel 8 - The Vision of Abominations") creates a compelling sense of escalating horror and **Foreshadowing**, meticulously building towards the inevitable divine wrath and judgment depicted in the subsequent chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezekiel 8:14 stands as a stark testament to the devastating consequences of spiritual compromise and idolatry, a theme that reverberates throughout the entirety of biblical theology. The weeping for Tammuz, a fertility god, highlights humanity's persistent and inherent temptation to seek life, provision, and security from sources other than the one true, living God. This scene powerfully underscores God's unwavering demand for exclusive worship and His fierce, holy jealousy for His own glory, as He categorically declares that He will not share His honor with idols. It profoundly reveals that idolatry is not merely a ritualistic act but a profound betrayal of covenant love, akin to the most grievous spiritual adultery. The defilement of the Temple, God's designated dwelling place, demonstrates unequivocally that sin, especially when it permeates the community of faith, grieves God deeply and renders sacred spaces unfit for His holy presence, thereby necessitating either purification or righteous judgment. This passage serves as a powerful and timeless warning against syncretism, reminding all believers that true worship demands absolute, uncompromised allegiance to Yahweh alone, untainted by worldly philosophies, cultural trends, or competing allegiances.

* [Deuteronomy 4:24](/deuteronomy/4-24 "Deuteronomy 4:24 - God is a Consuming Fire")
* [Psalm 106:35-39](/psalm/106-35-39 "Psalm 106:35-39 - Idolatry and Sacrifice to Demons")
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezekiel's vision of the women weeping for Tammuz offers a profound and challenging call for contemporary believers, urging us to engage in a vigilant examination of the subtle, often insidious, forms of idolatry that can infiltrate our personal lives and communal worship. While overt pagan rituals may seem distant and irrelevant to our modern context, the underlying human tendency to seek comfort, security, identity, or fulfillment apart from God remains an ever-present spiritual danger. We must therefore diligently guard against allowing prevailing cultural trends, personal desires, material pursuits, or even seemingly noble ambitions to subtly displace God from His rightful, central, and supreme position in our hearts and worship. True devotion requires an uncompromised and exclusive allegiance, ensuring that our deepest affections, our most valuable time, and our most significant resources are primarily and passionately directed towards Him. This passage compels us to engage in deep self-examination: what "Tammuz" might we be prioritizing, consciously or unconsciously, that subtly demands our devotion or distracts us from God's absolute centrality? Are there ideologies, relationships, achievements, or even anxieties that we "weep for" or invest our emotional energy into more than our relationship with the Lord? Recognizing the profound seriousness with which God views spiritual infidelity should compel us to cultivate a pure, exclusive, and unadulterated worship, rooted in heartfelt commitment and obedient love, thereby ensuring that our lives remain a fitting and holy dwelling place for His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "Tammuz" figures, cultural practices, or personal aspirations might subtly compete for our ultimate devotion or distract us from exclusive worship of God?**
* **How can we proactively ensure that our personal and corporate worship remains pure, uncompromised, and truly centered on God amidst the pressures of the world?**
* **In what ways might our "temple"—our individual body as a dwelling of the Holy Spirit, or our spiritual community—be inadvertently defiled by unacknowledged or unaddressed spiritual compromise?**
* **What concrete steps can we take to cultivate a deeper, more exclusive, and passionately devoted relationship with God in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of weeping for Tammuz in ancient Near Eastern religions?**

Answer: Weeping for Tammuz was a profoundly significant annual ritual in ancient Mesopotamian and Canaanite religions, particularly associated with fertility cults. Tammuz (or Dumuzi in Sumerian) was a deity intrinsically linked to vegetation, agriculture, and the cyclical rhythm of the seasons. The ritualistic mourning, typically performed by women, lamented his supposed death or descent into the underworld, which was believed to be the cause of the drying up of vegetation and the subsequent loss of agricultural fertility. The weeping was an act of sympathetic magic, intended to appease the deity and encourage his return, thereby ensuring the land's fruitfulness and the continuation of life and prosperity. For the Israelites to engage in this ritual within the sacred precincts of the Temple was a direct and egregious adoption of pagan practices, fundamentally antithetical to the exclusive worship of Yahweh, who alone is the sovereign source of all life, blessing, and provision, as beautifully described in [Psalm 65:9-13](/psalm/65-9-13 "Psalm 65:9-13 - God's Provision for the Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezekiel 8:14, with its stark depiction of profound idolatry and the defilement of God's sacred Temple, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound and redemptive ways. The women weeping for Tammuz powerfully symbolize humanity's persistent and tragic tendency to seek life, comfort, and salvation from false gods and empty rituals, a spiritual idolatry that Jesus Christ came decisively to eradicate. He is the true source of life and spiritual fertility, not a dying god of vegetation, but the [resurrected Lord](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection"), who has conquered death and offers eternal life. The defilement of the Temple by pagan worship foreshadows Christ's righteous indignation when He physically cleansed the Temple, driving out those who had turned His Father's house into a "den of robbers" ([Matthew 21:13](/matthew/21-13 "Matthew 21:13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). More profoundly, Jesus Himself becomes the new Temple, the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, as He declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection as the Temple")). His body, broken on the cross, is the ultimate and perfect sacrifice that cleanses not merely a physical structure, but the human heart from the deep-seated idolatry that grieves God. Through His atoning work, believers are transformed into a "spiritual house," a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), where true worship in "spirit and truth" is offered to God the Father ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, the weeping for Tammuz, a futile ritual for a dead god, stands in stark and glorious contrast to the joy, life, and eternal hope found in Christ, who has triumphed over death and offers salvation to all who turn from idols to serve the living and true God ([1 Thessalonians 1:9-10](/1_thessalonians/1-9-10 "1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 - Turning from Idols to God")).

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

Ezekiel 46:9

But when the people of the land shall come before the LORD in the solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it.

Ezekiel 44:4

¶ Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.