Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

Therefore will I also deal {H6213} in fury {H2534}: mine eye {H5869} shall not spare {H2347}, neither will I have pity {H2550}: and though they cry {H7121} in mine ears {H241} with a loud {H1419} voice {H6963}, yet will I not hear {H8085} them.

Therefore I will act in fury, my eye will not spare, I will have no pity. Even if they cry loudly right in my ears, I will not listen to them."

Therefore I will respond with wrath. I will not look on them with pity, nor will I spare them. Although they shout loudly in My ears, I will not listen to them.”

Therefore will I also deal in wrath; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

Ezekiel 8:18 serves as a stark declaration of divine judgment, concluding a vivid prophetic vision of the abominations committed by the people of Israel in Jerusalem. This verse underscores the irreversible consequences of prolonged rebellion and spiritual idolatry, emphasizing God's righteous wrath against persistent sin.

Context

In Ezekiel chapter 8, the prophet is supernaturally transported in a vision from Babylon to Jerusalem, where he witnesses various detestable practices within the temple precincts. These include the "image of jealousy" (Ezekiel 8:5), the worship of creeping things and abominable beasts by the elders (Ezekiel 8:10), women weeping for the pagan god Tammuz (Ezekiel 8:14), and men worshipping the sun (Ezekiel 8:16). These acts of spiritual adultery and defiance provoke God's holy anger, leading directly to the pronouncement in verse 18. The judgment declared here sets the stage for the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The phrase "deal in fury" (Hebrew: chemah, meaning intense heat or wrath) signifies God's righteous indignation reaching its peak. This is not arbitrary anger but a just response to severe and continuous provocation.
  • Unwavering Justice: "Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity" highlights the certainty and severity of the impending judgment. God's compassion, though abundant, does not override His justice when His people persistently refuse to repent.
  • Unheeded Cries: The most chilling part, "though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them," reveals a point of no return. This is a direct consequence of their earlier refusal to hear God's warnings and commands. When humanity turns a deaf ear to divine instruction, there comes a time when divine ears are closed to human pleas.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The verse is a direct outcome of the widespread idolatry and spiritual corruption depicted earlier in the chapter. It underscores that elevating anything above God inevitably leads to severe spiritual and physical consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fury," chemah, often conveys a strong, burning anger, sometimes even associated with poison or venom, illustrating the intensity of God's wrath. The repetition of "not spare" (chus) and "not pity" (chamal) emphasizes the absolute nature of the impending judgment, leaving no room for clemency once the line has been crossed. The term "hear" (Hebrew: shama) is crucial here; it implies not just perceiving sound, but also obeying and heeding. Because the people refused to shama God's voice, God will not shama their cries for mercy.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 8:18 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual complacency and persistent sin. It reminds us that God's patience, though vast, is not infinite. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Genuine Repentance: Regularly examining our hearts and turning from anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives.
  • Heeding God's Voice: Actively listening to and obeying God's Word, ensuring we do not grow deaf to His instructions and warnings.
  • Understanding Consequences: Recognizing that continued rebellion against God's commands can lead to severe spiritual consequences, even a state where prayers for mercy may go unanswered because the time for grace has passed.

This verse calls for a serious reflection on our spiritual priorities and relationship with the Almighty, urging us to remain in alignment with His will to avoid such dire judgment.

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.
  • Micah 3:4

    Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
  • Isaiah 1:15

    And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
  • Jeremiah 11:11

    ¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.
  • Zechariah 7:13

    Therefore it is come to pass, [that] as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:
  • Luke 13:25

    When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
  • Ezekiel 7:4

    And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 7:9

    And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee according to thy ways and thine abominations [that] are in the midst of thee; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD that smiteth.

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