8:11 And there stood before them seventy {l} men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and {m} a thick cloud of incense went up.(l) Thus they who would have kept all the rest in the fear and true service of God were the ringleaders of all abomination, and by their example pulled others from God.(m) It was in such abundance. read more
VISIONS OF IDOLATRY It is the general opinion that these chapters introduce a new stage of the prophecies, and that while those of the last lesson comprehended Judah and Israel, these refer more particularly to Jerusalem and the people of Judah under Zedekiah. The fuller story of this period was in Jeremiah. The prophet is seen in his own house by the Chebar, and the elders of Judah are before him for instruction (Ezekiel 8:1 ). “Elders” we understand to mean, some who are in captivity with... read more
Chambers of Imagery Ezekiel 8:0 , Ezekiel 9:0 With the eighth chapter we begin a new series of prophecies occupying eleven or twelve chapters. Before the prophet commences what may be termed his moral ministry he always passes through an experience of ecstasy or rapture, in which he sees manifold and most perplexing visions. We can only guard ourselves from what would amount to a profanation of these visions by reminding ourselves constantly that we really have no power of literally... read more
Oh! what an awful account is here. The Prophet hath discovered now through the Lord's teaching him, by looking in through this hole in the wall, that it is not the common people, not the ignorant, not the unlearned only, that were given to idolatry; but the very elders, the ancients of the house of Israel, from whom the people ought to have received knowledge. The prophet saw seventy in number, that is, the whole Sanhedrim; meaning all the elders. Perhaps the vision meant to say, that even... read more
Jezonias. He probably was over the temple, as his father had been, 4 Kings xxii. 3. (Calmet) read more
7-12 A secret place was, as it were, opened, where the prophet saw creatures painted on the walls, and a number of the elders of Israel worshipped before them. No superiority in worldly matters will preserve men from lust, or idolatries, when they are left to their own deceitful hearts; and those who are soon wearied in the service of God, often grudge no toil nor expense when following their superstitions. When hypocrites screen themselves behind the wall of an outward profession, there is... read more
Various Abominations v. 5. Then said He unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north, to the left of the direction in which the Temple faced. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north and behold northward, at the Gate of the Altar, probably just outside the entrance, this image of jealousy in the entry, the idol which filled the Lord with such deep resentment and anger. v. 6. He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? namely, the... read more
III. THE SUBSEQUENT EXECUTION OF DIVINE COMMISSIONS.—Ch. 8–241. The Vision (Ch. 8–11)1. The Abominations in the Temple (Ch. 8)1And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth [month], on the fifth of the month—I was in my house, and the elders of Judah were before me, and there 2fell upon me the hand of the Lord Jehovah. And I saw, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of His loins and downwards, fire; and from His loins and upwards, as the appearance of... read more
We now come to the last prophecy dealing with the results of reprobation. It consists of a long and detailed description of the cause and process of judgment. Its first movement came to the prophet as he sat in his own house in the presence of the elders of Judah. He felt the pressure of the divine hand on him, and saw an appearance as of fire. He was then lifted between earth and heaven, and there was revealed to him the awful idolatries practiced in Jerusalem. He saw at the entrance of the... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezekiel 8:1-18
CHAPTERS 8-11 Visions in Relation to Jerusalem 1. The vision of abomination in the temple (Ezekiel 8:1-18 ) 2. The vision of the linen-clothed man with the inkhorn (Ezekiel 9:1-11 ) 3. The vision of the coals of fire (Ezekiel 10:1-22 ) 4. The vision concerning the leaders: The glory departs (Ezekiel 11:1-25 ) Ezekiel 8:1-18 . This vision shows the abomination which prevailed in the temple of Jehovah. In the visions of God, Ezekiel is brought to the door of the inner gate that looks to... read more