Ezekiel 8 3

Ezekiel 8:3 kjv

And 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.

Ezekiel 8:3 nkjv

He 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.

Ezekiel 8:3 niv

He 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.

Ezekiel 8:3 esv

He 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.

Ezekiel 8:3 nlt

He 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.

Ezekiel 8 verses

Ezekiel 8 3 Meaning

Ezekiel 8:3 describes the prophet's miraculous spiritual transport by divine power to Jerusalem's Temple court to witness severe idolatry. The "form of a hand" and "Spirit" signify God's direct, supernatural agency. He is positioned at the north gate of the inner court, where a specific "idol of jealousy" stands, openly challenging God's sole worship. This vision exposes the depth of Judah's unfaithfulness and provides the divine rationale for the impending judgment on Jerusalem and its Temple.

Ezekiel 8 3 Context

Ezekiel chapter 8 initiates a profound prophetic sequence where God reveals the pervasive idolatry within the Jerusalem Temple itself. Ezekiel, in Babylonian exile with the first group of captives (597 BC), receives these visions years before the final destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC). This specific vision transports him to Jerusalem to witness the abominations directly. It's a critical moment for understanding why God is allowing the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple. The historical context is crucial: Jerusalem, despite facing ultimate destruction, persists in pagan worship and syncretism, directly violating God's covenant. This verse sets the stage for God's divine exposé of this spiritual corruption, clarifying that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to deep-seated rebellion within the nation's spiritual core.

Ezekiel 8 3 Word analysis

• He stretched out: Denotes God's direct, personal, and intentional involvement in this miraculous event, highlighting His active sovereignty.
• the form of a hand (תַּבְנִית יָד, tavnit yad):
  • Tavnit (form/likeness) indicates a visible representation, yet it was not a literal physical hand, stressing the visionary nature of the experience.
  • Yad (hand) symbolizes power, authority, and divine intervention. It signifies God's tangible, albeit non-physical, action.
• and took me by a lock of my head (צִיצִת רֹאשִׁי, tsitsit roshi):
  • Tsitsit here refers to a forelock or tress of hair.
  • This act illustrates a sudden, firm, yet controlled seizure, emphasizing divine initiative and Ezekiel's absolute passivity and submission to God's will.
• and the Spirit (רוּחַ, ruach): The divine Ruach, meaning wind, breath, or the Spirit of God, acts as the primary, dynamic agent of this supernatural transport, confirming its divine origin and power.
• lifted me up (נָשָׂא, nasa'): Conveys an upward movement and elevation beyond earthly limitations, signifying the transcendent, spiritual nature of the journey.
• between earth and heaven: Highlights the ethereal, non-physical realm of this transportation, a liminal space where divine revelations occur. It signifies a profound spiritual experience beyond ordinary human perception.
• and brought me in visions of God (מַרְאֹות אֱלֹהִים, mar'ot Elohim):
  • Mar'ot (visions/appearances) explicitly labels the entire experience as a divine revelation.
  • Elohim (God) specifies the divine source and truthfulness of the revelation, distinct from dreams or human illusions.
• to Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yerushalayim): The specific and central destination, indicating the immediate focus of God's concern and imminent judgment for His holy city.
• to the entrance of the north gate (פֶּתַח שַׁעַר הַצָּפוֹן, petach sha'ar ha'tsafon):
  • Petach sha'ar (entrance of the gate) specifies the exact point of entry.
  • Ha'tsafon (the north) is significant. In prophecy, the north often symbolizes divine judgment or invasion. It may also have been a less public access point, perhaps allowing clandestine pagan practices.
• of the inner court (חָצֵר הַפְּנִימִית, chatzer hapenimit): This is the sacred priestly court closest to the Temple building. Its defilement represents the deepest corruption within the very heart of Israel's worship, entrusted to its spiritual leaders.
• where the seat of the idol of jealousy (סֵמֶל הַקִּנְאָה, semel ha'kin'ah):
  • Semel (image/idol) identifies the object of false worship.
  • Ha'kin'ah (the jealousy) is the key. This idol is defined by its effect: provoking God's righteous jealousy. It’s an egregious offense, likely a foreign or pagan deity (perhaps Asherah) intentionally set up to compete with YHWH for worship. "Seat" implies a fixed and established presence.
• which provokes to jealousy (מַקְנֶה, maqneh): This reiterates the direct theological consequence. This idol explicitly challenges YHWH's exclusive claim to Israel's devotion, breaking the foundational First Commandment and directly inciting divine wrath.

Words-group analysis

• "He stretched out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head": This imagery highlights irresistible divine power acting directly yet gently on Ezekiel, who remains passive. It underscores the intimacy and command God exerts over His prophet, preparing him for a profound revelation.
• "and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven": This depicts a classic prophetic ecstasy or spiritual transport. It is distinctly supernatural, emphasizing that Ezekiel is momentarily taken out of his ordinary physical perception and placed into a direct encounter with divine reality.
• "and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem": This defines the entire experience as a God-given vision with a precise prophetic destination. The truth and reality of what Ezekiel will see are divinely authenticated, focusing on the spiritual decay within the holy city.
• "to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court": This highly specific location is crucial. Its placement within the sacred inner court highlights the audacity of the idolatry, reaching into areas reserved for priests. The "north gate" is significant, perhaps a place of invasion, judgment, or even a less conspicuous entrance used for illicit practices.
• "where the seat of the idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy, was located": The double emphasis on "jealousy" is a powerful theological polemic. This idol is not just any false god; it directly challenges YHWH's exclusive covenantal right to worship, a direct affront to His nature as the only God. Its "seat" implies permanence and intentionality, setting the stage for divine retribution.

Ezekiel 8 3 Bonus section

• Theological Precision of "Jealousy": God's jealousy (qanā') in the Bible is not human envy but divine zeal, an unyielding commitment to His unique covenant relationship and His holiness. It is His righteous indignation when His rightful claim to exclusive worship is challenged (Ex 20:5, Deut 4:24). The "idol of jealousy" is thus defined by its violation of this fundamental divine attribute, directly confronting YHWH's sole authority.
• Significance of the "Inner Court": This area was specifically designated for the priests. The presence of the idol here implies that the corruption of idolatry had infiltrated even the religious leadership, tainting the very source of temple worship and guidance.
• Prophetic Parallel: The swift, supernatural transportation of Ezekiel by the Spirit finds parallels in other prophetic accounts, such as Elijah (1 Kgs 18:12) and Philip in the New Testament (Acts 8:39), underscoring a consistent divine method for prophets in crisis or significant revelation.

Ezekiel 8 3 Commentary

Ezekiel 8:3 provides the critical narrative anchor for the devastating series of visions that follow. God's intervention is shown as direct and supernatural, utilizing both the "form of a hand" and the powerful "Spirit" to transport Ezekiel from exile to Jerusalem in a vision. This transport "between earth and heaven" signifies the transcendence and divine origin of the experience. The immediate destination is specific: the north gate of the inner court of the Temple. This location is key because it places the idolatry right at the heart of what should be Israel's most sacred space, signifying utter desecration by those responsible for guarding its holiness. The culminating revelation of this verse is the "idol of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy." This explicit theological phrase clarifies that the idolatry is a direct affront to God's covenantal demand for exclusive worship. It reveals God's righteous indignation—His zeal for His own glory and the purity of His worship—is justly kindled. This verse sets the stage, demonstrating that God's coming judgment on Jerusalem is not arbitrary, but a righteous, deserved response to a deep and pervasive spiritual corruption reaching to the very core of Israel's spiritual life.