Ezekiel 8:5 kjv
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.
Ezekiel 8:5 nkjv
Then He said to me, "Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.
Ezekiel 8:5 niv
Then he said to me, "Son of man, look toward the north." So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy.
Ezekiel 8:5 esv
Then he said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.
Ezekiel 8:5 nlt
Then the LORD said to me, "Son of man, look toward the north." So I looked, and there to the north, beside the entrance to the gate near the altar, stood the idol that had made the LORD so jealous.
Ezekiel 8 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezekiel 8:5 | Behold the image of jealousy, which is by the north-gate of the altar; and northward, there the king's booth. | Lev 26:30 (God’s displeasure) |
| Jeremiah 7:30 | For the abominations of Judah have I done in my land, and that which is defiled. | Psa 78:58 (Provoking God) |
| 2 Kings 21:4 | And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. | 2 Chr 33:4 (Manasseh's idolatry) |
| Deut 32:16 | They moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they provoked me to anger with their abominations. | 1 Cor 10:22 (God’s jealousy) |
| Num 33:15 | So the people cried unto the LORD, and they said, We have sinned, because we have transgressed against the LORD by leaving the LORD our God, and by serving the graven images of the people. | Gal 5:19-20 (Works of flesh) |
| Isa 44:19 | And none considereth it, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread with the residue thereof, I have baked bread therewith unto a notable amongst the people: shall I make a. | Exod 20:4-5 (Prohibition of idols) |
| Psa 106:39 | Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. | Rom 1:21-23 (Idolatry leads to degradation) |
| Eze 8:3 | 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. | 2 Kings 23:11 (Josiah removing idols) |
| Hos 4:12 | My people ask counsel at their stick, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused to err, and they have gone a whoring from their God. | Ezek 20:30-31 (Spiritual adultery) |
| Mic 1:7 | And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. | Ezek 16:31-34 (Idolatry as prostitution) |
| Rev 17:4 | And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, and had a cup of gold in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of the fornication. | Rev 2:20 (Jezebel’s teaching) |
| 1 Kings 11:5 | For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. | Jer 5:9 (God’s jealousy on account of abominations) |
| Jer 17:2 | Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by green trees upon the high hills. | Isa 57:5-7 (Idolatrous worship) |
| Deut 13:17 | And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from his fierce wrath, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers. | Ezek 43:8 (Defiling God’s name) |
| Zech 7:10 | And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour. | Deut 18:10-12 (Prohibited practices) |
| Lev 19:30 | Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. | Ezek 24:21 (Defiling the sanctuary) |
| Ezek 11:23 | Then the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. | Ezek 10:18 (Glory departs) |
| Matt 12:6 | But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. | John 2:19-21 (Jesus is the temple) |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. | 1 Cor 6:19 (Believers as temples) |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. | Jer 31:1 (New covenant blessings) |
Ezekiel 8 verses
Ezekiel 8 5 Meaning
The verse describes Ezekiel being shown a vision of idolatrous practices within the Temple. Specifically, it refers to "the image of jealousy," which likely represented a foreign idol set up in the very place where God's presence was to be honored, provoking God’s jealousy or anger.
Ezekiel 8 5 Context
This verse occurs within Ezekiel’s first vision, specifically in chapter 8, where the prophet is transported in the spirit to Jerusalem. He is brought to the inner court of the Temple and shown the idolatrous activities taking place there. The elders of Judah are seen worshipping at the "image of jealousy." This vision reveals the profound corruption and desecration within the very heart of Israel's worship, leading to God's judgment. Historically, this context reflects the period before the Babylonian exile, a time when apostasy and idolatry were rampant in Judah despite repeated warnings. The specific placement of the image "by the north-gate of the altar" highlights its proximity to the central place of worship, intensifying the offense.
Ezekiel 8 5 Word Analysis
- And, behold (וְהִנֵּה - v’hinneh): This is an interjection that calls for immediate attention, drawing the reader’s focus to what is about to be revealed. It signifies something significant and often alarming.
- the image (הַסֵּמֶל - ha’semel): Derived from the root meaning "to be like" or "likeness." It refers to a representation or idol, an image made by human hands.
- of jealousy (הַקִּנְאָה - ha’qinn’ah): This word signifies intense emotion, particularly anger or zeal born out of perceived insult or rival presence. God’s "jealousy" refers to His fierce, protective love for His people and His intolerance for anything that usurps His rightful place in their worship.
- which (אֲשֶׁר - asher): A relative pronoun connecting the image to its location and its provocative nature.
- is (הוּא - hu): A verb of being, asserting the existence or presence of the image.
- by the north-gate (בְּשַׁעַר־צָפוֹנִי - b’sha’ar-tsaphoni): This specifies a location within the Temple complex. The north gate would be a prominent position, visible and accessible, further emphasizing the audacity of the idolatry. Scholars often associate this with the northern side of the outer court, near the altar, indicating a direct challenge to God’s presence.
- of the altar (הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ha’mizbe’ach): Refers to the altar of burnt offering, the central point of sacrificial worship. Placing an idol near it signifies a direct usurpation and defilement of the place of divine covenant and atonement.
- and (וְ־ - v’): Connective particle.
- northward (צָפוֹנָה - tsaphona): Further emphasizes the northern direction.
- there (שָּׁמָּה - shammah): Indicates a specific point or location in that direction.
- the king's booth (בּוּג הַמֶּלֶךְ - bug ha’melech): This phrase is challenging to interpret definitively. Possible meanings include a structure built for the king, perhaps a ceremonial or private place of worship or observation, potentially for illicit rituals, or a reference to a solar shrine associated with the king, mimicking the worship of sun gods common in surrounding cultures. Some scholars suggest it could refer to a private sanctuary or kiosk. The King in question could refer to the king of Judah, or metaphorically, it could even point to a figure usurping God's place.
Ezekiel 8 5 Bonus Section
The concept of God's "jealousy" (Hebrew: קִנְאָה - qinn'ah) is crucial. It isn't envy, but a fierce, righteous zeal that demands exclusive devotion, much like a husband's protective love for his wife. In the Old Testament, God expresses jealousy when His people turn to other gods (Exo 20:5). This image specifically mocked that divine attribute by representing an object that intentionally evoked God's righteous indignation. The placement in the north might also be symbolic, as the north was often associated with demonic powers or hostile nations in ancient Near Eastern cosmology.
Ezekiel 8 5 Commentary
The "image of jealousy" was a blatant affront to God's covenant and His sole right to worship. Its placement at the Temple, the designated dwelling place of God's Name, signifies a direct, in-your-face provocation against Yahweh. The very idea of an idol, a created thing, set up in the place of the Creator, embodies spiritual adultery and a rejection of God's exclusivity. This act stirred God’s holy anger, not in a human, petty way, but in a righteous, protective zeal for His people and His honor. The north gate’s proximity to the altar emphasizes the desecration of the most sacred space. The "king's booth" further points to human ambition and syncretism, attempting to blend pagan practices with God's worship or even prioritizing human authority over divine commands. This verse sets the stage for understanding the severe consequences of Israel’s apostasy, explaining why judgment was inevitable.