Ezekiel 8 13

Ezekiel 8:13 kjv

He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.

Ezekiel 8:13 nkjv

And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing."

Ezekiel 8:13 niv

Again, he said, "You will see them doing things that are even more detestable."

Ezekiel 8:13 esv

He said also to me, "You will see still greater abominations that they commit."

Ezekiel 8:13 nlt

Then the LORD added, "Come, and I will show you even more detestable sins than these!"

Ezekiel 8 verses

Ezekiel 8 13 Meaning

Ezekiel 8:13 details God's solemn warning to the prophet Ezekiel, following the revelation of hidden idolatry within the temple precincts. The verse announces that the prophet is about to witness yet more severe and detestable acts being committed by the people of Jerusalem, specifically the elders and leaders who were entrusted with preserving the covenant. It signifies a profound escalation of sin, indicating a deepening moral and spiritual depravity that surpasses what has already been shown, leading inexorably towards divine judgment. This pre-announcement serves to heighten the prophet's (and the reader's) understanding of the gravity and widespread nature of the apostasy.

Ezekiel 8 13 Context

Ezekiel 8 forms a pivotal section within Ezekiel's prophetic book, beginning a sequence of visions focusing on Jerusalem's spiritual state. The chapter opens with Ezekiel, then a captive in Babylon, being spiritually transported by "the hand of the Lord" to Jerusalem in the sixth year of King Jehoiachin's exile (Ezek 8:1). His divine guide immediately begins to show him the abominations being committed within the temple precincts. Prior to verse 13, Ezekiel is shown the "image of jealousy" (likely an Asherah pole or similar idolatrous statue, v.5) at the north gate, then further into the temple, the seventy elders of Israel secretly worshipping detestable crawling creatures and idols in a darkened chamber (v.7-12). Each revelation intensifies the picture of apostasy. Verse 13 is a divine interjection that signals to Ezekiel (and the reader) that the presented scenes, while appalling, are merely a precursor to even more profound depths of rebellion. This verse sets the stage for the revelation of even more egregious sins in the subsequent verses (the weeping for Tammuz and sun worship) within the most sacred areas of the temple. The historical context is pre-exilic Judah, where idolatry and moral decay were rampant among the populace and its leadership, leading to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonians.

Ezekiel 8 13 Word analysis

• He said also to me:

  • He (וַיֹּ֤אמֶר - wa yyo’mer): Refers to the divine, angelic guide, identified in earlier verses (Ezek 8:3) as the "Spirit of God" or a "likeness of a man." This phrase indicates direct, authoritative communication from God through His messenger to the prophet. It underscores the divine origin and reliability of the vision and its interpretation.
  • said also (גַם - gam): Signifies an addition or continuation. It indicates that the previous revelations of sin were not the end, but merely a prelude. There is more to be shown.
  • to me (אֵלַי - ’elay): Emphasizes the personal nature of the prophetic encounter. Ezekiel is not just an observer; he is a direct recipient of divine communication, charged with bearing witness to these truths.

• 'You will see still other greater abominations:

  • You will see (תִּרְאֶה־ע֛וֹד - tir’eh ‘od): "You will see" (tir'eh) denotes a future certainty and confirms Ezekiel's direct, visual experience of these events. The addition of "‘od" ("still," "yet more," "again") further emphasizes the continuation and increase. It’s a promise of escalating revelation.
  • still other (אַחֶרֶת - ‘achereṯ): Indicates different, subsequent, and new acts of detestability. It confirms that the upcoming scenes are distinct from, and likely more severe than, what Ezekiel has already witnessed.
  • greater (גְדֹל֧וֹת - ḡəḏôlôṯ): This key word intensifies the nature of the upcoming revelations. It implies not just more in number, but significantly more abhorrent, widespread, or public acts of rebellion. The sin is escalating in magnitude and offense against God.
  • abominations (תּוֹעֵבֹת - tô‘êḇōṯ): (Plural of to'ebah) This term, used frequently in the Old Testament, describes things detestable, abhorrent, or morally repugnant, especially in the eyes of God. It signifies practices contrary to God's holiness and covenant law, often associated with idolatry, sexual perversion, and injustice (Lev 18:22, Deut 7:25). In Ezekiel, it particularly refers to acts defiling the temple and provoking God's wrath.

• that they are committing (אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥מָּה עֹשִֽׂים - ’ăšer-hēmâ ‘ōśîm):

  • that they (אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥מָּה - ’ăšer-hēmâ): Identifies the perpetrators as "they," referring back to the "elders of the house of Israel" and implicitly, the broader populace and leadership in Jerusalem previously observed in sin.
  • are committing (עֹשִֽׂים - ‘ōśîm): A present participle, implying continuous and active practice. It highlights that these are ongoing, deliberate actions, not isolated incidents. It conveys a deep-seated spiritual condition rather than a temporary lapse.

Ezekiel 8 13 Bonus section

The sequential unveiling of abominations in Ezekiel chapter 8 reflects a deliberate prophetic strategy to expose the total depravity of Judah. Each scene Ezekiel is shown (the image of jealousy, the elders worshipping creatures, women weeping for Tammuz, and men bowing to the sun) is not only different but increasingly offensive in its context and its challenge to Yahweh's unique sovereignty. Verse 13, therefore, acts as a divine interlude, guiding Ezekiel's perception and hardening him for the yet more grievous sights. The "greater abominations" could refer to sins that are more deeply entrenched in pagan religious practices (like weeping for Tammuz or sun worship), more brazenly public, or committed in holier parts of the temple. The cumulative effect of these revelations is to demonstrate that Judah's apostasy was not superficial but permeated its religious and social fabric, leaving God with no recourse but judgment to uphold His holiness and covenant. The divine statement confirms that the problem was widespread and profound, necessitating the complete removal of the divine presence and subsequent destruction of the temple, a theme explored in subsequent chapters.

Ezekiel 8 13 Commentary

Ezekiel 8:13 is a crucial transition point within Ezekiel's temple vision, functioning as a divine commentary that underscores the intensifying spiritual crisis in Jerusalem. It serves as a stark warning: the initially shocking acts of idolatry (like the "image of jealousy" and the seventy elders) are but the tip of a deeply corrupt iceberg. The pronouncement "you will see still other greater abominations" prepares the prophet, and by extension God's people, for an unfolding revelation of escalating wickedness. The Hebrew term to'ebah for "abominations" carries significant weight, referring to acts that are profoundly offensive and morally repugnant to God's holy character, explicitly defying His covenant (Deut 12:31; Jer 7:9-10). The divine guide's specific emphasis on "greater" abominations signifies a progression from secret sins to more public, defiant, and widespread forms of apostasy, touching even more sacred parts of the temple complex (Ezek 8:14-16). This progressive unveiling of sin highlights the deep-seated spiritual rebellion in Judah, revealing their complete rejection of God despite His continued presence among them. The consistent, active participle "are committing" also stresses the habitual nature of their transgressions, confirming their intentional defiance and the righteousness of the impending divine judgment. It provides an essential divine perspective: Judah's ruin is not arbitrary, but a direct consequence of their determined rebellion against their covenant God.

Practical usage:

• This verse can be a warning to avoid complacency when confronted with sin, recognizing its potential for escalation.
• It highlights how God observes and will expose even hidden or developing sins within His people.
• It serves as a reminder that spiritual decay often progresses incrementally, from seemingly minor compromises to greater acts of rebellion.