Ezekiel 8:6

He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

He said {H559} furthermore unto me, Son {H1121} of man {H120}, seest {H7200} thou what they do {H6213}? even the great {H1419} abominations {H8441} that the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} committeth {H6213} here, that I should go far off {H7368} from my sanctuary {H4720}? but turn {H7725} thee yet again, and thou shalt see {H7200} greater {H1419} abominations {H8441}.

He asked me, "Human being, do you see what they are doing, the horribly disgusting practices that the house of Isra'el is committing here, so that I must distance myself from my own sanctuary? But you will see even worse abominations."

“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing—to drive Me far from My sanctuary? Yet you will see even greater abominations.”

And he said unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel do commit here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? But thou shalt again see yet other great abominations.

Ezekiel 8:6 is a pivotal verse within a profound vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, who was among the exiles in Babylon. In this passage, the Lord transports Ezekiel in a vision to Jerusalem, specifically to the Temple, to reveal the shocking spiritual condition of the "house of Israel."

Context

This verse is part of a longer vision described in Ezekiel chapter 8, where God shows Ezekiel the various idolatrous practices occurring within the very precincts of His holy Temple in Jerusalem. This vision serves as divine justification for the impending judgment and destruction of the city and the Temple by the Babylonians. God is demonstrating to Ezekiel, and by extension to Israel, the deep-seated spiritual corruption that has driven Him to withdraw His presence from His sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Profound Abomination and Idolatry: The term "great abominations" (Hebrew: to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה) signifies acts that are utterly detestable and morally repugnant to God, particularly in the context of worship. These were not minor transgressions but deep-seated spiritual rebellion, involving pagan rituals and idol worship right within the sacred temple grounds. This profound spiritual corruption is the core reason for God's indignation.
  • God's Grief and Withdrawal: The rhetorical question, "that I should go far off from my sanctuary?" powerfully expresses God's grief and the consequence of Israel's sin. Their idolatry is effectively driving God's presence, His Shekinah glory, away from the place He consecrated for Himself. This foreshadows the detailed account of the departure of the glory of the Lord from the Temple in later chapters of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 11:23).
  • Escalation of Sin: The ominous promise, "but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations," indicates a progressive descent into spiritual darkness. What Ezekiel has already witnessed is merely a prelude to even more egregious and offensive acts of rebellion. This highlights the deep-rooted spiritual sickness of the nation and the escalating nature of unchecked sin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), translated as "abomination," is a strong term used throughout the Old Testament to describe practices that are utterly repugnant to God, often linked to idolatry, sexual immorality, or injustice. Its repeated use in Ezekiel 8 underscores the gravity and detestable nature of Israel's spiritual offenses in God's sight.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 8:6 serves as a powerful warning for all generations. It reminds us that God is holy and desires true worship. When we allow anything to take the place of God in our hearts – whether it be material possessions, career, relationships, or even self-interest – we commit a form of spiritual idolatry that grieves Him and can lead to a sense of His presence withdrawing from our lives or communities. The concept of "greater abominations" also serves as a stark reminder that unchecked sin tends to escalate. Believers are called to constant self-examination, repentance, and a commitment to living in holiness and genuine devotion, ensuring that our worship is directed solely to the one true God, as emphasized in John 4:24.

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 5:11

    Wherefore, [as] I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish [thee]; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

  • Ezekiel 8:9

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

  • Ezekiel 10:19

    And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also [were] beside them, and [every one] stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel [was] over them above.

  • Proverbs 5:14

    I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

  • Deuteronomy 31:16

    And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

  • Deuteronomy 31:18

    And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

  • Ezekiel 8:11

    And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.

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