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

The verse describes Ezekiel being taken by the Spirit to the northern gate of the inner court of the Temple of the Lord. Upon seeing an "image of jealousy" (Hebrew: סָמֶל קִנְאָה, semel qin’ah) there, he realizes it signifies the provocation of God's jealousy, leading to His abandonment of the sanctuary.

Ezekiel 8 3 Context

Ezekiel is transported by the Spirit to witness the abominations occurring within Jerusalem and the Temple. This vision, occurring in the sixth year of Jehoiachin's exile (592 BCE), precedes the final destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. The preceding chapter (Ezekiel 7) details God's imminent judgment on the land due to the deep-seated corruption. Ezekiel is being shown the specific reasons for God's wrath, emphasizing the pervasive idolatry and disobedience within the sanctuary itself, which was considered the ultimate sign of God's presence and protection. This serves to underscore the utter fallenness of Judah and the inevitability of divine judgment.

Ezekiel 8 3 Word Analysis

• וְהִנֵּה (vəhinnēh): "and behold." This common conjunctive particle introduces a surprising or significant revelation.

• יָד (yāḏ): "hand." Here, it refers to the Spirit of God lifting and carrying Ezekiel, indicating divine agency and guidance.

• בְּגַ֣ד (bəḡaḏ): "garment." The precise nature of this "garment" of the Spirit is symbolic, representing the power or the covering under which Ezekiel is moved.

• וַתּוֹלִיכֵ֧נִי (wattōlîḵênî): "and it carried me." The "it" refers back to the Spirit. This emphasizes the Spirit's active role in transporting Ezekiel.

• בִּסְפַ֣ר (bissəp̄ar): "in the Spirit." This is an unusual phrasing. Scholars debate if this means "in vision" or if it's a corruption. Some understand "in the spirit of vision."

• אֶת־ (’eṯ-): A direct object marker.

• רֹ֤אשׁ (rō’aḥ): "head" or "chief." Here, it signifies the uppermost or innermost part.

• שַׁ֨עַר (ša‘ar): "gate." Specifically, the "gate" refers to an entrance.

• הַשַּׁ֨עַר (hašša‘ar): "the gate." The definite article indicates a specific gate, likely known to Ezekiel and the audience.

• הַֽ֠֠חִֽיצֹנָ֜ה (haḥiṣônâ): "the outer." Modifies "gate," indicating it's not the inner court's most secluded part.

• אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ăšær): "which." Relative pronoun.

• לִפְנִ֣ימָה (lifnîmâ): "inward" or "towards the inside." Refers to facing inwards, towards the inner sanctuary.

• מִצָּפֹ֗ון (miṣṣāp̄ôn): "from the north" or "toward the north." This location is significant as north was often associated with divine presence or a place from which judgment or the king came. In later Jewish tradition, the north gate was considered the entrance for worshipers from the north.

• וְהִנֵּה־ (vəhinnēh-): "and behold," repetition emphasizes another significant observation.

• שָׁם (šām): "there." Indicating the specific location.

• שֵׁ֣בֶת (šêḇeṯ): "seat" or "place of sitting." This could refer to a throne-like structure or a designated area.

• יֹושֵׁב (yōušêḇ): "dweller" or "one who sits." Refers to the entity occupying this place.

• כִּסֵּא (kissē’): "chair" or "throne." Here it’s more figurative of an object or focal point.

• סָמֶל (sāmel): "image," "idol," or "statue." This is a critical word for an inanimate object of worship.

• קִנְאָה (qin’â): "jealousy." Refers to God's righteous jealousy, provoked by idolatry.

• אֲשֶׁר־ (’ăšær-): "which." Relative pronoun.

• שָׁם (šām): "there." Further locating the image.

• לְפִיתִ֥י (lĕpîṯî): "to provoke" or "to exasperate." Directly relates to provoking God's jealousy.

• יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiśərā’ēl): "Israel." Refers to the people of Israel, whose actions are causing God's jealousy.

• יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiśərā’ēl): "Israel." Repetition of the people's name.

• לְהַצְמִיד (ləhaṣmîḏ): "to cause to abide," "to dwell," or "to cause to become attached." The context here means to drive away, separate from. The literal meaning is closer to attaching one to another. The effect is that God's presence is withdrawn.

• Analysis of Key Phrases:

  • "the Spirit carried me": Illustrates the supernatural nature of the vision, where God’s Spirit moves the prophet. This echoes themes of prophetic transport (1 Kings 18:12, 2 Kings 2:16, Acts 8:39).
  • "image of jealousy": This is the central element. The Hebrew semel qin’ah strongly suggests an idol that provokes God's righteous anger because it usurps His place and honor.
  • "which is there that provokes Israel to anger": While the idol itself is the immediate cause of divine jealousy, the text specifies it "provokes Israel to anger." This can be interpreted as the idol provoking Israel's sinful devotion, thus leading to God's anger on Israel's behalf, or perhaps an error in translation and should be interpreted as provoking God's anger against Israel. The most widely accepted interpretation is that this object itself causes God's anger. The Septuagint and other versions read as "provoking the Lord to jealousy" or similar phrasing. Thus the object was something that drew away devotion from God, and this misdirected devotion was the catalyst for God's jealous anger toward Israel.

Ezekiel 8 3 Bonus Section

The specific location "the northern gate of the inner court" is significant. In rabbinic tradition, the north gate of the inner court was often associated with prayer. Ezekiel’s vision thus places the symbol of idolatry in a space intended for communing with God, highlighting the depth of spiritual corruption. The term semel qin'ah is unique in the Hebrew Bible, but the concept of God's jealousy being provoked by idolatry is widespread. Scholars note that such images might have been Asherah poles or other cultic objects associated with Canaanite fertility cults, which often mingled with Israelite worship. The emphasis on God’s jealousy connects to the bridal theology in scripture, where God's relationship with Israel is a covenant of marriage. Idolatry is therefore spiritual adultery, which justly arouses a husband's righteous jealousy.

Ezekiel 8 3 Commentary

This verse is a pivotal point in Ezekiel's vision, directly showing the prophet the concrete symbol of Israel's sin within the very heart of God's dwelling place. The "image of jealousy" is an abhorrent idol erected inside or near the Temple, specifically in the northern gate area, a prominent location. This placement signifies the audacious defiance and idolatry that has permeated even the most sacred space. God’s jealousy is not a human flaw but a divine attribute signifying His commitment and righteous opposition to anything that threatens His people's covenant relationship with Him. The presence of this idol means God's presence will depart from the sanctuary, paving the way for destruction. It reveals that the cause of judgment is not external circumstances but internal spiritual defilement by the people themselves. The focus on a visible "image" underscores the visual nature of their idolatry, a betrayal of the One whom they could not see but were commanded to worship exclusively.