8:6 8:6

Ezekiel 8:7

8:8 8:8

Bible Versions

¶ And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.
And he brought {H935} me to the door {H6607} of the court {H2691}; and when I looked {H7200}, behold a {H259} hole {H2356} in the wall {H7023}.
He brought me to the entrance of the courtyard; and when I looked, I saw a hole in the wall.
Then He brought me to the entrance to the court, and I looked and saw a hole in the wall.
And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold, a hole in the wall.

Ezekiel 8:7 is a pivotal verse in a profound vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, where the Lord begins to expose the shocking idolatries and abominations being committed within the sacred precincts of the Jerusalem temple. This verse sets the stage for a divine revelation of hidden spiritual corruption.

Context

The prophet Ezekiel was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon, taken captive after Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem. In the sixth year of his exile (around 593 BC), God transported him in a vision to Jerusalem to reveal the 'great abominations' (Ezekiel 8:6) being committed by the elders and leaders of Israel. This was a critical moment, as the people still in Jerusalem held false hope that God would not allow His temple to be destroyed. God uses this vision to show Ezekiel, and by extension the exiles, the true extent of Israel's spiritual decay, justifying the impending judgment and destruction of the temple and city. The "door of the court" refers to an entrance within the temple complex, and the "hole in the wall" symbolizes a clandestine, hidden access point, through which Ezekiel is about to witness secret, illicit practices.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation of Hidden Sin: The "hole in the wall" strikingly illustrates that no act, no matter how secret or concealed, is hidden from God. What the people thought they were doing in private, away from public view, was perfectly visible to the Almighty. This underscores God's omniscience and penetrating insight into the human heart and its darkest corners.
  • Profanation of the Temple: The very place consecrated for the worship of the one true God was being defiled by pagan rituals and idolatry. This was not just external rebellion but a deep-seated spiritual apostasy that corrupted the core of their religious life.
  • The Depth of Israel's Apostasy: The vision reveals that the idolatry was not merely a popular practice but was led by the elders and leaders, those who should have guided the people in righteousness. Their hidden practices would eventually be brought to light, leading to national judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "hole in the wall" is nekev ba-qir (נֶקֶב בַּקִּיר), which literally means a "perforation" or "boring" in the wall. This simple yet powerful image immediately conveys the idea of something concealed or a secret passage, emphasizing the clandestine nature of the abominations Ezekiel is about to witness. It's not an open door but a deliberate breach made to hide illicit activity.

Practical Application

Ezekiel 8:7 serves as a profound reminder that nothing is hidden from God's sight. It challenges believers to examine their own lives for any "secret sins" or areas of compromise that are concealed from others but are fully known to God. True integrity is not just about outward appearance but about the purity of heart and actions even when no one else is watching. This verse calls us to genuine worship and a commitment to holiness, recognizing that God sees all and desires truth in the inward parts.

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.

  • 1 Kings 7:12

    And the great court round about [was] with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

  • 2 Kings 21:5

    And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
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