Ezekiel 8:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezekiel 8:13-18

Here we have, I. More and greater abominations discovered to the prophet. He thought that what he had seen was bad enough and yet (Ezek. 8:13): Turn thyself again, and thou shalt see yet greater abominations, and greater still, Ezek. 8:15; as before, Ezek. 8:6. There are those who live in retirement who do no think what wickedness there is in this world; and the more we converse with it, and the further we go abroad into it, the more corrupt we see it. When we have seen that which is bad we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezekiel 8:17

Then he said unto me, hast thou seen this , O son of man ?.... Took notice of and considered this piece of idolatry, worshipping the sun toward the east: is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here ? could these things, which are such dreadful abominations, committed here in the temple, be reckoned light things by them, as surely they cannot? yet these are not all that they have done: for they have filled the land with violence ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 8:17

They put the branch to their nose - This is supposed to mean some branch or branches, which they carried in succession in honor of the idol, and with which they covered their faces, or from which they inhaled a pleasant smell, the branches being odoriferous. That the heathens carried branches of trees in their sacred ceremonies is well known to all persons acquainted with classic antiquity; and it is probable that the heathen borrowed those from the use of such branches in the Jewish feast... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Ezekiel 8:17

Verse 17 God complains as formerly of the wickedness of the people, especially of their perfidious and wicked revolt, because they so defiled the temple which ought to be sacred to God alone. He adds besides another complaint, that they were not content in their wickedness, which tended to violate human society and common rights, and the pursuit of mutual equity, unless even religion should be weakened by them. For under the word חמס , chemes, is comprehended whatever is contrary to the second... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 8:14-18

Man's provocations of God, and God's punishment of man. "Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north," etc. I. MAN 'S PROVOCATIONS OF GOD . In Ezekiel 8:17 it is said, "They returned to provoke me to anger." The sins mentioned in this paragraph were not the only provocations of the Most High, as the words of the clause imply. Professor Cheyne translates, "provoke me to anger again and again." And Ewald, "exasperated me... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 8:17

For returned read, with the Revised Version, turned again. The wind seems chosen with special reference to the attitude of the idol worshippers. It may be noted that even here the prophet speaks not only of the idolatry of Judah, but of its violence also, as bringing down the judgments of Jehovah. Lo, they put the branch to their nose. The opening word expresses the prophet's burning indignation. The act described probably finds its best explanation in the Persian ritual of the Avesta.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 8:17

Making light of sin. I. SINNERS MAKE LIGHT OF SIN . This is a commonly observed fact. Let us see how it is caused. 1 . As an attempt to excuse the sinner. This, of course, is the most obvious and palpable reason why many people try to minimize their own sin. The prisoner pleads "Not guilty" simply to save himself. The same is done even before the private bar of a man's own conscience; for we wish to excuse ourselves to ourselves. Thus there may be no conscious deception, no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 8:17-18

Men co-assessors in judgment with God. In saving men from sin, God qualifies them for the highest offices in his kingdom. "They shall sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." I. GOD GIVES US , IN STAGES , HIS VIEW OF HUMAN GUILT . Without question, we should take very low and imperfect conceptions of sin, unless God revealed to us the facts in the moral department of existence. By such means, God condescends to train us for companionship with himself,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 8:17

“Violence” represents sin against man, “abominations” sins against God. These went hand in hand in Jerusalem.And have returned - After the reformation effected for a time by Josiah’s zeal, they have gone back to their old state.They put the branch to their nose - An allusion to a then familiar practice, of which we find no clear traces elsewhere. Ezekiel is describing the attitude usual in such devotions, the branch held before the mouth, but wishing to represent it in contemptuous and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezekiel 8:17-18

Ezekiel 8:17-18. Then he said After the prophet had seen all, and had had time to consider all he saw, God appeals to him concerning the heinousness of their crimes. Is it a light thing to the house of Israel Who know and profess better things, and are dignified with so many privileges above other nations? Is it excusable in them, who have God’s oracles and ordinances, that they commit the abominations which they commit here? Do they not deserve to suffer who thus sin? Should not such... read more

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