New International VersionHe stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.
New Living TranslationHe reached out what seemed to be a hand and took me by the hair. Then the Spirit lifted me up into the sky and transported me to Jerusalem in a vision from God. I was taken to the north gate of the inner courtyard of the Temple, where there is a large idol that has made the LORD very jealous.
English Standard VersionHe put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
Berean Standard BibleHe stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated.
King James BibleAnd he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
New King James VersionHe stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy.
New American Standard BibleAnd He extended the form of a hand and took me by the hair of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner courtyard, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.
NASB 1995He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.
NASB 1977And He stretched out the form of a hand and caught me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.
Legacy Standard BibleHe sent forth the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the figure of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.
Amplified BibleHe stretched out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of hair on my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner courtyard, where the seat of the idol (image) of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located.
Christian Standard BibleHe stretched out what appeared to be a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the offensive statue that provokes jealousy was located.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe stretched out what appeared to be a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the inner gate that faces north, where the offensive statue that provokes jealousy was located.
American Standard VersionAnd he put forth the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Contemporary English VersionIt reached out what seemed to be a hand and grabbed my hair. Then in my vision the LORD's Spirit lifted me into the sky and carried me to Jerusalem. The Spirit took me to the north gate of the temple's inner courtyard, where there was an idol that disgusted the LORD and made him furious.
English Revised VersionAnd he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIt stretched out what looked like a hand and grabbed me by the hair on my head. In these visions from God, the Spirit carried me between heaven and earth. He took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance to the north gate of the inner courtyard of the temple. That was where an idol that stirs up [God's] anger was located.
Good News TranslationHe reached out what seemed to be a hand and grabbed me by the hair. Then in this vision God's spirit lifted me high in the air and took me to Jerusalem. He took me to the inner entrance of the north gate of the Temple, where there was an idol that was an outrage to God.
International Standard VersionThe form of a hand reached out and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and sky, brought me toward Jerusalem, and in visions that came from God took me through the doors of the inner gate that faced north, where an image that provoked God's jealous anger had been erected.
NET BibleHe stretched out the form of a hand and grabbed me by a lock of hair on my head. Then a wind lifted me up between the earth and sky and brought me to Jerusalem by means of divine visions, to the door of the inner gate which faces north where the statue which provokes to jealousy was located.
New Heart English BibleHe put forth the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and the sky, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looks toward the north; where there was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he put forth the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh towards the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleHe stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated.
World English BibleHe stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and the sky, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looks toward the north, where there was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He puts forth a form of a hand, and takes me by a lock of my head, and [the] Spirit lifts me up between the earth and the heavens, and brings me to Jerusalem in visions of God, to the opening of the inner gate that is facing the north, where the seat of the figure of jealousy [is] that is making jealous,
Young's Literal Translation And He putteth forth a form of a hand, and taketh me by a lock of my head, and lift me up doth a spirit between the earth and the heavens, and it bringeth me in to Jerusalem in visions of God, unto the opening of the inner gate that is facing the north, where is the seat of the figure of jealousy that is making jealous,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he sent forth the likeness of a hand, and he took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and between the heavens, and it brought me to Jerusalem in the visions of God, to the door of the gate within, looking to the north; where was there the seat of the image of jealousy possessing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the likeness of a hand was put forth and took me by a lock of my head: and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the vision of God into Jerusalem, near the inner gate, that looked toward the north, where was set the idol of jealousy to provoke to jealousy.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd as the image of a hand went out, it took hold of me by a lock of my head. And the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven. And he brought me into Jerusalem, within a vision of God, next to the inner gate that looked toward the north, where there was stationed an idol of rivalry, so as to provoke an envious emulation.
New American BibleHe stretched out the form of a hand and seized me by the hair of my head. The spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in divine vision to Jerusalem to the entrance of the inner gate facing north where the statue of jealousy that provokes jealousy stood.
New Revised Standard VersionIt stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court that faces north, to the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he put forth the form of a hand, and caught me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in a vision of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looks toward the north; where stood the image of lust, which provokes to lust.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he reached with the likeness of a hand and he took me by the locks of my head, and The Spirit picked me up between the Earth and Heaven, and took me to Jerusalem in a vision of God to the entrance of the door of the corner that looks to the north, for there stood the statue of lust OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the form of a hand was put forth, and I was taken by a lock of my head; and a spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he stretched forth the likeness of a hand, and took me by the crown of my head; and the Spirit lifted me up between the earth and sky, and brought me to Jerusalem in a vision of God, to the porch of the gate that looks to the north, where was the pillar of the Purchaser.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple… 2Then I looked and saw a figure like that of a man. From His waist down His appearance was like fire, and from His waist up He was as bright as the gleam of amber. 3He stretched outwhat looked likea handand took meby the hairof my head.Then the Spiritlifted me upbetweenearthand heavenand carriedmein visionsof Godto Jerusalem,tothe entranceof the northgateof the inner court,wherethe idolthat provokesjealousywas seated.4And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain.…
Cross References Ezekiel 11:24And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back to Chaldea, to the exiles in the vision given by the Spirit of God. After the vision had gone up from me,
Ezekiel 3:14So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.
Ezekiel 37:1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.
Ezekiel 40:2In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose southern slope was a structure that resembled a city.
2 Kings 2:16“Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied.
Acts 8:39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.
Revelation 1:10On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
Revelation 4:2At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. / And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— / was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.
Daniel 8:2And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.
Isaiah 6:1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
Jeremiah 20:2he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.
1 Kings 18:12I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.
2 Kings 2:11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
Acts 10:10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.
Treasury of Scripture And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of my head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looks toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy. he put Ezekiel 2:9 And when I looked, behold, an handwas sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a bookwas therein; Daniel 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Daniel 10:10,18 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees andupon the palms of my hands… the spirit Ezekiel 3:14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me. Ezekiel 11:1,24 Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people… Ezekiel 40:2 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by whichwas as the frame of a city on the south. to the door Ezekiel 8:5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. 2 Kings 16:14 And he brought also the brasen altar, whichwas before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar. the image 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 diminishthee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity. Ezekiel 7:20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominationsand of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them. 2 Kings 21:7 And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: provoketh Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy Godam a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourthgeneration of them that hate me; Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose nameis Jealous,is a jealous God: Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD thy Godis a consuming fire,even a jealous God. Jump to Previous CourtDoorEarthFormForthGateHandHeadImageInnerJealousyJerusalemLockNorthProvokethSeatSkySpiritVisionsJump to Next CourtDoorEarthFormForthGateHandHeadImageInnerJealousyJerusalemLockNorthProvokethSeatSkySpiritVisionsEzekiel 8 1.Ezekiel, in a vision of God at Jerusalem5.is shown the image of jealousy7.the chambers of imagery13.the mourners for Tammuz16.the worshippers toward the sun17.God's wrath for their idolatryHe stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head.This phrase describes a supernatural experience where Ezekiel is physically moved by a divine presence. The imagery of a hand suggests God's direct intervention. In biblical symbolism, the hand often represents power and authority ( Exodus 15:6). The act of being taken by the hair indicates a forceful and urgent action, emphasizing the seriousness of the vision Ezekiel is about to receive. This method of transportation is unique and underscores the divine nature of the encounter. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven
The Spirit here refers to the Holy Spirit, who plays a crucial role in guiding and revealing God's will to the prophets. Being lifted between earth and heaven signifies a transition from the physical realm to the spiritual, allowing Ezekiel to see things from God's perspective. This elevation is symbolic of receiving divine insight, similar to other biblical figures who experienced visions, such as John inRevelation 4:1-2. and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem
Ezekiel is transported in a vision to Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel. This city holds significant importance as the location of the Temple, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The vision indicates a revelation concerning the spiritual state of Jerusalem, highlighting the city's central role in God's covenant with Israel. This transportation in a vision parallels other prophetic experiences, such as Daniel's visions inDaniel 7. to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court
The north gate of the inner court of the Temple is significant because it was one of the main entrances used by worshippers. The inner court was a sacred area, reserved for priests and certain sacrificial rituals. The specific mention of the north gate may indicate the direction from which judgment or invasion would come, as historically, enemies often attacked Israel from the north (Jeremiah 1:14-15). where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated
This phrase refers to an idolatrous image set up within the Temple precincts, an abomination in the eyes of God. The idol provokes God's jealousy because it represents the people's unfaithfulness to Him, violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3-5). This idolatry is a recurring theme in Israel's history, leading to divine judgment. The presence of such an idol in the Temple highlights the depth of Israel's spiritual corruption and foreshadows the coming destruction of Jerusalem as prophesied by Ezekiel. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzekielA prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the recipient of God's visions and messages, tasked with delivering them to the Israelites. 2. The SpiritRefers to the Spirit of God, who empowers and guides Ezekiel, lifting him up to receive divine visions. 3. JerusalemThe holy city, central to Jewish worship and identity, where the vision takes place, highlighting the spiritual corruption present there. 4. The Inner CourtPart of the temple complex in Jerusalem, representing the heart of Israel's worship and the place where God's presence was meant to dwell. 5. The Idol that Provokes to JealousyAn abomination in the temple, symbolizing Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, which provokes His righteous jealousy. Teaching Points The Reality of Spiritual VisionsEzekiel's experience reminds us that God can communicate through visions, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually attuned to His voice. The Seriousness of IdolatryThe presence of the idol in the temple serves as a stark warning against idolatry, urging believers to examine their own lives for anything that might take precedence over God. God's Jealous LoveGod's jealousy is not petty but reflects His deep love and desire for an exclusive relationship with His people. We are called to respond with wholehearted devotion. The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Spirit's role in lifting Ezekiel highlights the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in guiding and revealing God's truth to us today. The Importance of the TempleThe temple's desecration underscores the need for purity in worship and the sacredness of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Ezekiel 8:3?
2.How does Ezekiel 8:3 illustrate God's omnipresence and omnipotence in our lives?
3.What does the "Spirit lifted me up" reveal about divine intervention today?
4.How can we discern modern "idols" that provoke God, as in Ezekiel 8:3?
5.Connect Ezekiel 8:3 with other instances of God's guidance in the Bible.
6.How should Ezekiel 8:3 influence our worship and reverence for God?
7.What does Ezekiel 8:3 reveal about God's view on idolatry in the temple?
8.How does the vision in Ezekiel 8:3 challenge our understanding of divine intervention?
9.What is the significance of the "Spirit" lifting Ezekiel in Ezekiel 8:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 8?
11.How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods?
12.In Ezekiel 8:3–4, what evidence supports or contradicts the claim Ezekiel was physically transported to Jerusalem by a divine hand?
13.In Ezekiel 8:2, how could a being with “the appearance of fire” physically appear and interact with Ezekiel?
14.In Ezekiel 8:14, is there historical or archaeological proof that women publicly wept for Tammuz in the Jerusalem temple at this time?What Does Ezekiel 8:3 Mean He stretched out what looked like a handEzekiel writes, “He stretched out what looked like a hand”. The “He” points back to the radiant, human-like figure Ezekiel saw in 8:2, the same glorious presence described in 1:26-28. • This detail reminds us that the LORD personally reaches into human history (Isaiah 41:10;Daniel 10:10) and that His glory can be both awesome and tangible. • The hand-like form signals God’s intimate involvement—He is not a distant force but One who acts with purpose (Exodus 3:20;Matthew 8:3).
and took me by the hair of my headBeing seized “by the hair” underscores the prophet’s complete submission to divine authority. • Similar forceful moments appear when the LORD arrests a servant’s attention, as with Jonah in the fish (Jonah 1:17) or Saul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-4). • Hair, often a symbol of dedication (Numbers 6:5;Judges 16:17), here shows that every part of Ezekiel’s life—even something as personal as his hair—belongs to God.
Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heavenThe Holy Spirit is the active Agent: “the Spirit lifted me up” (cf.Ezekiel 3:12,14; 11:1). • Being “between earth and heaven” places Ezekiel in a threshold space where divine perspective is granted (Revelation 4:1-2;2 Corinthians 12:2). • This lifting demonstrates the Spirit’s power to transcend ordinary limits, just as He later transports Philip after baptizing the Ethiopian (Acts 8:39-40).
and carried me in visions of God to JerusalemThough Ezekiel is physically in Babylon, the Spirit carries him “in visions of God” to the temple city (Ezekiel 40:2). • Visions are God-given realities, not fantasies; they reveal facts inaccessible by natural sight (Genesis 15:1;Acts 10:10-11). • Jerusalem’s selection highlights that judgment begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and that covenant unfaithfulness will not be overlooked (Jeremiah 25:29).
to the entrance of the north gate of the inner courtThe north gate faced the city’s main approach and offered direct access to the altar area (Ezekiel 40:35-43). • Its prominence means anyone entering could not miss what Ezekiel is about to see. • God pinpoints the exact location of sin, proving His omniscience (Psalm 139:1-3) and removing any excuse that wickedness is hidden (Job 34:22).
where the idol that provokes jealousy was seatedThis “idol that provokes jealousy” (literally, the image of jealousy) brazenly occupied sacred space. • The LORD had warned, “You shall have no other gods before Me…for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3-5;Deuteronomy 32:16-21). • Previous kings set up similar images—Manasseh placed an idol in the temple itself (2 Kings 21:7; 2 Chron 33:7)—but the people refused to learn. • God’s jealousy is His righteous insistence on exclusive covenant love (Hosea 2:19-20); idolatry violates that relationship and invites judgment (Jeremiah 7:30-34).
summaryEzekiel 8:3 records a literal, Spirit-powered relocation that exposes hidden sin in the very heart of God’s house. The LORD personally reaches out, seizes His prophet, lifts him into a realm where earthly and heavenly realities meet, and shows him the shocking idol enthroned at the north gate. Each movement—from the divine hand to the jealous exposure of idolatry—reveals God’s sovereign authority, intimate knowledge, and unwavering demand for exclusive worship. (3) Took me by a lock of mine head.--Not, of course, literally, in the body, but in vision. Ezekiel did not actually leave Chaldaea at all, as is shown by Ezekiel 11:24. The door of the inner gate.--This is one of the gates which led from the court of the people to the court of the priests which was on a higher level. In the account of the building of the temple there is no mention of gates leading from the one to the other, but they would naturally have been placed there, as we know they were in the later temple of Herod. The particular gate was the one "which looketh toward the north," as the one by which the priests went directly to the great altar. The image of jealousy is explained in the following clause, "which provoketh to jealousy." It is not necessary to consider "jealousy" as a proper name--the name of any particular heathen divinity--but rather as a descriptive name, an image which aroused the Divine indignation. It has even been thought that it is not meant to indicate any particular idol, but is only a picture to set forth the prevailing idolatry. It is, however, altogether probable that at this time there actually were heathen idols set up in the temple, and nothing could give a more vivid picture of the corruption of priests and people alike than the mention of their presence. Idolatry had been growing more general and more bold from the time of Solomon. He built places of worship for the various idols of his wives"in the hill that is before Jerusalem" (1Kings 11:7); but Ahaz, under the influence of the Assyrian king, had placed an idolatrous altar in the temple itself, removing the brazen altar to make room (2Kings 16:10-16), and Manasseh afterwards did the same (2Kings 21:4). All the subsequent kings of Judah, except Josiah, were wicked men, and although this particular sin is not distinctly recorded of Zedekiah, yet it seems altogether likely that he too made use of the temple for idolatrous worship, and that Ezekiel in vision now saw his idols standing in the court. Verse 3. - The form of an hand (comp. Ezekiel 2:9; Daniel 5:5). For the mode of transit, see Bel and the Dragon, ver. 36. as probably a direct imitation. The touch of the "hand" was followed by the action of the Spirit, in visions which he knew to be more than dreams, visions that came from God (comp. Ezekiel 1:1; Ezekiel 40:2). The word is not the same as that commonly used by Daniel ( chazon), and often by Ezekiel himself ( Ezekiel 7:13; Ezekiel 12:22, 23, et al.), but mareh, which implies a more direct act of intuition. The word appears again in Ezekiel 11:24; Ezekiel 43:3, and in Daniel 8:26, 27, et al.To the door of the gate, etc. From the first we trace the priest's familiarity with the structure of the temple. He is brought, as it were, after his journey in the spirit, to the door of the gate of the inner court that looketh towards the north (Revised Version). This is identified in ver. 5 with the "gate of the altar." It may probably also be identified with the "upper gate" of Ezekiel 9:2; the "high gate" of Jeremiah 20:2; the "higher gate" of 2 Kings 15:35, built by Jotham; the "new gate" of Jeremiah 36:10. Obviously it was one of the most conspicuous portions of the temple, where the people gathered in large numbers. And here the prophet sees what he calls the image of jealousy. The words that follow probably give his explanation of the strange phrase, not found elsewhere, though it might naturally be suggested by Deuteronomy 32:16, 21; Psalm 78:58. What this image was we can only conjecture. The word for "image" is a rare one, and is found only here and in Deuteronomy 4:16; 2 Chronicles 33:7, 15. It may have been the Asherah (the "grove" of the Authorized Version), or conical stone, such as Manasseh had made and placed, with an altar dedicated to it, in the house of the Lord ( 2 Kings 21:3; 2 Chronicles 33:3), or one of Baal, or of Ashtaroth, or even of Tammuz (see ver. 14). As the word "grove" does not occur in Ezekiel, it may be sufficient to state that the Ashera was a pillar symbolical either of a goddess of the same name, or, as some think, of the Phoenician Astarte. The worship seems to have first become popular under Jezebel ( 1 Kings 18:19), and took deep root both in Israel and Judah. The cultus, as in 2 Kings 23:7, seems to have been connected with the foulest licence, like that of the Babylonian Mylitta (Herod., 1:199; Baruch 6:43). The work of Josiah had clearly had but a temporary success, and the people had gone back to the confluent polytheism of the reign of Manasseh. In such a state of things the worst was possible. For recent discussions on the Ashera, see Kuenen. 'Relig. Isr.' (Eng. transl.), 1:88; Schrader; Robertson Smith, 'Relig. of Semites,' p. 172; and T.K. Cheyne, in the Academy of December 14, 1889.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew He stretched outוַיִּשְׁלַח֙(way·yiš·laḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outwhat looked likeתַּבְנִ֣ית(taḇ·nîṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8403:Structure, a model, resemblancea handיָ֔ד(yāḏ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027:A handand tookוַיִּקָּחֵ֖נִי(way·yiq·qā·ḥê·nî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 3947:To takeme by the hairבְּצִיצִ֣ת(bə·ṣî·ṣiṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6734:A floral, wing-like projection, a forelock of hair, a tasselof my head.רֹאשִׁ֑י(rō·šî)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7218:The headThen the Spiritר֣וּחַ ׀(rū·aḥ)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307:Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spiritlifted me upוַתִּשָּׂ֣א(wat·tiś·śā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takebetweenבֵּֽין־(bên-)Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenearthהָאָ֣רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landand heavenהַשָּׁמַ֡יִם(haš·šā·ma·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyand carriedוַתָּבֵא֩(wat·tā·ḇê)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gome in visionsבְּמַרְא֣וֹת(bə·mar·’ō·wṯ)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4759:A vision, a mirrorof Godאֱלֹהִ֗ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeto Jerusalem,יְרוּשָׁלְַ֜מָה(yə·rū·šā·lə·māh)Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israeltoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tothe entranceפֶּ֜תַח(pe·ṯaḥ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607:An opening, door, entrance wayof the northצָפ֔וֹנָה(ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828:Hidden, dark, the north as a, quartergateשַׁ֤עַר(ša·‘ar)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179:An opening, door, gateof the inner court,הַפְּנִימִית֙(hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6442:Interiorwhereאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatthe idolסֵ֖מֶל(sê·mel)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5566:An image, statuethat provokesהַמַּקְנֶֽה׃(ham·maq·neh)Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7069:To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to ownjealousyהַקִּנְאָ֥ה(haq·qin·’āh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7068:Ardor, zeal, jealousywas located.מוֹשַׁ֔ב(mō·wō·šaḇ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4186:A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers
Links Ezekiel 8:3 NIVEzekiel 8:3 NLTEzekiel 8:3 ESVEzekiel 8:3 NASBEzekiel 8:3 KJV
Ezekiel 8:3 BibleApps.comEzekiel 8:3 Biblia ParalelaEzekiel 8:3 Chinese BibleEzekiel 8:3 French BibleEzekiel 8:3 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:3 He put forth the form (Ezek. Eze Ezk) |
