Ezekiel 8 8

Ezekiel 8:8 kjv

Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.

Ezekiel 8:8 nkjv

Then He said to me, "Son of man, dig into the wall"; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door.

Ezekiel 8:8 niv

He said to me, "Son of man, now dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there.

Ezekiel 8:8 esv

Then he said to me, "Son of man, dig in the wall." So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance.

Ezekiel 8:8 nlt

He said to me, "Now, son of man, dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and found a hidden doorway.

Ezekiel 8 verses

Ezekiel 8 8 Meaning

Ezekiel 8:8 describes a key moment in the prophet's vision where God instructs him to physically dig through a wall within the temple precincts. This action symbolically reveals a previously hidden, secret entrance, signifying God's imminent exposure of the clandestine idolatry and spiritual abominations being secretly practiced by Judah's elders and people right within His holy sanctuary. It underscores that no hidden sin escapes God's sight, and He actively unveils the true state of spiritual corruption.

Ezekiel 8 8 Context

Ezekiel 8 marks a turning point in the prophet's early ministry. Having been taken captive to Babylon years earlier, Ezekiel is now (in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's exile) transported by the Spirit in a divine vision from Babylon back to Jerusalem (Ezek 8:1-3). His mission is to witness the shocking idolatries plaguing God's Temple, practices that are hidden from the common view but utterly detestable to God. This specific verse, Ezekiel 8:8, details the first action in this divine tour of exposure. It serves as a literal and symbolic penetration into the layers of deception and hidden sin that characterized the spiritual state of Jerusalem, setting the stage for the progressive unveiling of more severe abominations God shows him in the subsequent verses of the chapter, providing irrefutable justification for the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Historically, the people of Judah, particularly its leaders, clung to a false sense of security, believing God would never allow His Temple or chosen city to fall. This vision directly challenged that belief, exposing the deep reasons for God's impending judgment.

Ezekiel 8 8 Word analysis

• Then said he unto me,:

  • Then said he: Indicates a direct continuation of divine communication. "He" refers to the powerful divine being, likely the Lord Himself or a manifestation thereof, who has transported Ezekiel (as described in Ezek 8:3-4).
  • unto me: Confirms the command is specifically directed at Ezekiel, highlighting his unique role as God's instrument and witness.

• Son of man,:

  • Son of man: (Hebrew: ben-'adam) A frequent divine address to Ezekiel (93 times), emphasizing his human vulnerability and commonality with humanity, while simultaneously underscoring that he is a chosen messenger of the Most High God.

• dig now in the wall:

  • dig now: (Hebrew: ḥatôr, imperative of ḥatar) An active command for forceful, immediate excavation or penetration. It symbolizes an act of breaking through concealment, a direct, deliberate unearthing of hidden truths.
  • in the wall: (Hebrew: baqqîr) Refers to a barrier, partition, or structural impediment, likely within the temple precincts. This wall represents a layer of secrecy or pretense, hiding spiritual abominations from public view and preserving a false appearance of sanctity. The act of digging through implies an exposure of something concealed behind or within it.

• and when I had digged in the wall:

  • and when I had digged: Denotes Ezekiel's immediate and unquestioning obedience to the divine command, acting as God's willing agent. His physical action mirrors the spiritual revelation God intends.

• behold a door:

  • behold: (Hebrew: wəhinnēh) An exclamation drawing attention to a sudden, surprising, and significant discovery, an 'aha!' moment of revelation orchestrated by God.
  • a door: (Hebrew: petaḥ) Refers to an opening, entrance, or gate. This isn't a publicly known entrance but a concealed passage, implying access to a secret chamber or area dedicated to illicit practices. Its revelation is the divine uncovering of the "hidden abominations" that defile the sacred space.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "dig now in the wall": This phrase captures the essence of divine revelation breaking through human concealment. The wall acts as a metaphor for spiritual deception and the carefully maintained facade of righteousness. The digging symbolizes the investigative, revealing nature of God's prophetic judgment, penetrating what humans attempt to keep hidden.
  • "behold a door": This phrase marks the successful exposure of the hidden corruption. The door isn't accidental but the intentional, divinely appointed pathway into the clandestine idolatries, signifying that God Himself is opening the way for Ezekiel to witness the spiritual truth. The surprise inherent in "behold" underscores the gravity and shock of what is about to be revealed.

Ezekiel 8 8 Bonus section

• The nature of this wall is significant: it's not a city wall but an interior partition within the Temple area, pointing to the internal, spiritual breakdown even at the heart of worship.
• This visual act immediately after Ezekiel is transported into the "visions of God" highlights that divine revelation often comes with active participation, not just passive viewing.
• The "door" being "beholden" implies it was a structure already existing but cleverly disguised or concealed, further emphasizing the calculated nature of the hidden worship. It was a secret passageway into an "inner sanctum" of apostasy.

Ezekiel 8 8 Commentary

Ezekiel 8:8 provides a crucial initiation into a divine audit of Jerusalem's spiritual corruption. The command to "dig through the wall" is more than a physical act; it is God demonstrating His power to penetrate the most secure human hiding places, exposing the unseen. This wall, a deliberate barrier within the holy grounds, represented the false front and hypocrisy maintained by Judah's religious leaders and people. Ezekiel's ready obedience highlights the prophetic role: to faithfully uncover the truths God reveals, however unpleasant. The "door" that appears is not a pre-existing public thoroughfare but a hidden access point to concealed iniquity. This underscores that the sin wasn't incidental or public error but deliberate, calculated spiritual rebellion happening in secret. It prepares Ezekiel, and the reader, for the truly appalling scenes of idolatry that will follow, solidifying the justification for God's impending severe judgment upon His chosen city and people, revealing that their internal spiritual decay fully warrants their external physical destruction. It serves as a timeless reminder that superficial piety cannot hide true heart condition from God.