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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 8:16 So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/8-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/26_Ezk_08_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 8:16 - The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/8-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/8-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/8-15.htm" title="Ezekiel 8:15">◄</a> Ezekiel 8:16 <a href="/ezekiel/8-17.htm" title="Ezekiel 8:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ezekiel/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ezekiel/8.htm">New International Version</a> He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east. <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD’s Temple. At the entrance to the sanctuary, between the entry room and the bronze altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs to the sanctuary of the LORD. They were facing east, bowing low to the ground, worshiping the sun! <a href="/esv/ezekiel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east. <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/8.htm">New King James Version</a> So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east. <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then He brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD while their faces were toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD&#8217S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then He brought me into the inner court of the house of Yahweh. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of Yahweh, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of Yahweh and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun. <a href="/amp/ezekiel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch (vestibule, portico) and the [bronze] altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing down toward the east and worshiping the sun. <a href="/csb/ezekiel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So he brought me to the inner court of the LORD’s house, and there were about twenty-five men at the entrance of the LORD’s temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD’s temple and their faces turned to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD&#8217s house, and there were about 25 men at the entrance of the LORD&#8217s temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD&#8217s temple and their faces turned to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/asv/ezekiel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he brought me into the inner court of Jehovah's house; and behold, at the door of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of Jehovah, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. <a href="/cev/ezekiel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I was then led into the temple's inner courtyard, where I saw about 25 men standing near the entrance, between the porch and the altar. Their backs were to the LORD's temple, and they were bowing down to the rising sun. <a href="/erv/ezekiel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD's temple. There at the entrance to the LORD's temple, between the entrance and the altar, were about 25 men who had their backs turned to the LORD's temple. They were facing east and worshiping the rising sun. <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> So he took me to the inner courtyard of the Temple. There near the entrance of the sanctuary, between the altar and the porch, were about twenty-five men. They had turned their backs to the sanctuary and were bowing low toward the east, worshiping the rising sun. <a href="/isv/ezekiel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then he brought me to the inner court of the LORD's Temple. There, at the entrance to the LORD's Temple, between the porch and the altar, were 25 men, with their backs toward the LORD's Temple and facing the east, prostrating themselves to the sun. <a href="/msb/ezekiel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/net/ezekiel/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Then he brought me to the inner court of the LORD's house. Right there at the entrance to the LORD's temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the LORD's temple, facing east--they were worshiping the sun toward the east! <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and see, at the door of the LORD's temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs toward the LORD's temple, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs towards the temple of the LORD, and their faces towards the east; and they worshiped the sun towards the east. <a href="/web/ezekiel/8.htm">World English Bible</a> He brought me into the inner court of Yahweh’s house; and I saw at the door of Yahweh’s temple, between the porch and the altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs toward Yahweh’s temple and their faces toward the east. They were worshiping the sun toward the east. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And He brings me into the inner court of the house of YHWH, and behold, at the opening of the temple of YHWH, between the porch and the altar, about twenty-five men, their backs toward the temple of YHWH, and their faces eastward, and they are bowing themselves eastward to the sun. <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And He bringeth me in unto the inner court of the house of Jehovah, and lo, at the opening of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, about twenty-five men, their backs toward the temple of Jehovah, and their faces eastward, and they are bowing themselves eastward to the sun. <a href="/slt/ezekiel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he brought me to the enclosure of the house of Jehovah within, and behold, a door of the temple of Jehovah, and between the porch and between the altar, about twenty and five men, their backs to the temple, and their faces to the east; and they worshiping the east to the sun.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord: and behold at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men having their backs towards the temple of the Lord, and their faces to the east: and they adored towards the rising of the sun. <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he led me into the inner atrium of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the vestibule and the altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east. And they were adoring toward the rising of the Sun. <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Then he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD. There at the door of the LORD’s temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the LORD’s temple and their faces toward the east; they were bowing eastward to the sun. <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD; there, at the entrance of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east, prostrating themselves to the sun toward the east.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, there stood about twenty-five men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he brought me into the courtyard of the inner house of LORD JEHOVAH, and I saw in the door of the temple of LORD JEHOVAH, between the porch and the altar, about twenty and five men stood and their backs were against the temple of LORD JEHOVAH and their faces toward the East, and they arose early and they worshipped the sun<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And He brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. <a href="/sep/ezekiel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty men, with their back parts toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces turned the opposite way; and these were worshipping the sun. <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vET3Gmwku4s?start=1803" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/8.htm">The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple</a> …15“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Yet you will see even greater abominations than these.” 16<a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇê (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">So He brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯî (DirObjM:: 1cs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6442.htm" title="6442: hap·pə·nî·mîṯ (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Inner. From paniym; interior.">the inner</a> <a href="/hebrew/2691.htm" title="2691: ḥă·ṣar (N-csc) -- A yard, a hamlet.">court</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh- (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">and there</a> <a href="/hebrew/6607.htm" title="6607: p̄e·ṯaḥ (N-msc) -- Opening, doorway, entrance. From pathach; an opening, i.e. Door or entrance way.">at the entrance</a> <a href="/hebrew/1964.htm" title="1964: hê·ḵal (N-msc) -- A palace, temple. Probably from yakol; a large public building, such as a palace or temple.">to the temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">between</a> <a href="/hebrew/197.htm" title="197: hā·’ū·lām (Art:: N-ms) -- A porch. Or, ulam; from 'alam; a vestibule.">the portico</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇên (Conj-w:: Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: ham·miz·bê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: kə·‘eś·rîm (Prep-k:: Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">were about twenty-five</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: wa·ḥă·miš·šāh (Conj-w:: Number-ms) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/268.htm" title="268: ’ă·ḥō·rê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- The hind side, back part. Or achor; from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence behind, backward; also the West.">with their backs</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1964.htm" title="1964: hê·ḵal (N-msc) -- A palace, temple. Probably from yakol; a large public building, such as a palace or temple.">the temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: ū·p̄ə·nê·hem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">and their faces</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: qê·ḏə·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">toward the east;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm·māh (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">and they</a> <a href="/hebrew/6924.htm" title="6924: qê·ḏə·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- The front, of place, time. Or qedmah; from qadam; the front, of place or time; often used adverbially.">were bowing to the east</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: miš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">in worship</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: laš·šā·meš (Prep-l, Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">of the sun.</a> 17“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm">2 Kings 23:11</a> And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun. <a href="/jeremiah/8-2.htm">Jeremiah 8:2</a> They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. <a href="/2_chronicles/29-6.htm">2 Chronicles 29:6</a> For our fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">2 Chronicles 36:14</a> Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/2_kings/21-5.htm">2 Kings 21:5</a> In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a> Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. <a href="/jeremiah/19-13.htm">Jeremiah 19:13</a> The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.” <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Zephaniah 1:5</a> those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a> They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a> They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. <a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42</a> But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Matthew 4:9-10</a> “All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a> God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.the inner<a href="/ezekiel/10-3.htm">Ezekiel 10:3</a> Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.<a href="/ezekiel/40-28.htm">Ezekiel 40:28</a> And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;<a href="/ezekiel/43-5.htm">Ezekiel 43:5</a> So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.at the door<a href="/2_kings/16-14.htm">2 Kings 16:14</a> And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.<a href="/2_chronicles/7-7.htm">2 Chronicles 7:7</a> Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.<a href="/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?about<a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Ezekiel 11:1</a> Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.with their<a href="/ezekiel/23-35.htm">Ezekiel 23:35</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.<a href="/1_kings/8-29.htm">1 Kings 8:29</a> That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.<a href="/2_chronicles/29-6.htm">2 Chronicles 29:6</a> For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.their faces<a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a> And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Deuteronomy 17:3</a> And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;<a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5,11</a> And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven… and they.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/8-5.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-33.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-7.htm">Court</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">Door</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-28.htm">East</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-18.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-31.htm">Five</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/29-17.htm">Porch</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-13.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-24.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-14.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/ezekiel/4-10.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/ezra/2-33.htm">Twenty-Five</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-9.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-9.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-16.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/40-46.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-12.htm">Backs</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-3.htm">Court</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-19.htm">Door</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-19.htm">East</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-3.htm">Entrance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-14.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Five</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-17.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-3.htm">Inner</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-4.htm">LORD's</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-7.htm">Porch</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-7.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-3.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/ezekiel/12-14.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Twenty-Five</a> <a href="/daniel/2-46.htm">Worshiped</a> <a href="/daniel/2-46.htm">Worshipped</a> <a href="/daniel/3-6.htm">Worshipping</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 8</div>1. <a href="/ezekiel/8-1.htm">Ezekiel, in a vision of God at Jerusalem</a> 5. <a href="/ezekiel/8-5.htm">is shown the image of jealousy</a> 7. <a href="/ezekiel/8-7.htm">the chambers of imagery</a> 13. <a href="/ezekiel/8-13.htm">the mourners for Tammuz</a> 16. <a href="/ezekiel/8-16.htm">the worshippers toward the sun</a> 17. <a href="/ezekiel/8-17.htm">God's wrath for their idolatry</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD The "He" refers to God, who is guiding Ezekiel in a vision. The "inner court" is a significant area within the temple complex in Jerusalem, reserved for priests and sacred activities. This location underscores the gravity of the idolatry being committed, as it occurs in a place meant for holy worship. The temple, built by Solomon, was the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people.and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD The entrance to the temple signifies a threshold between the sacred and the profane. This location highlights the audacity of the idolatrous acts, as they occur right at the gateway to the most sacred space. The temple entrance was a place of reverence, where worshipers would prepare to enter the presence of God.between the portico and the altar The portico, or porch, was a covered area leading into the temple, while the altar was used for sacrifices. This positioning indicates a deliberate choice to turn away from the altar, symbolizing a rejection of the sacrificial system established by God. The altar was central to the worship and atonement practices of Israel, making this act of idolatry even more egregious.were about twenty-five men The number twenty-five may represent the leaders of the people, possibly including priests or elders. This group symbolizes a collective turning away from God, indicating widespread corruption among those who should have been spiritual leaders. Their actions reflect a broader national apostasy.with their backs to the temple of the LORD Turning their backs to the temple signifies a complete rejection of God and His covenant. This act of turning away is symbolic of Israel's spiritual adultery and abandonment of their relationship with God. It is a physical manifestation of their spiritual state.and their faces toward the east Facing east, the direction of the rising sun, indicates a deliberate choice to worship something other than God. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the east was often associated with the sun and other deities. This orientation signifies a preference for pagan practices over the worship of Yahweh.and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun Sun worship was common among Israel's neighbors, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians. This act of bowing to the sun represents the adoption of foreign religious practices, directly violating the first commandment. It highlights the syncretism and idolatry that plagued Israel, leading to their eventual exile. This scene serves as a stark warning against the dangers of turning away from God and embracing the practices of surrounding cultures.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a> A prophet of God, who is being shown visions of the abominations taking place in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/i/inner_court_of_the_house_of_the_lord.htm">Inner Court of the House of the LORD</a> The sacred area within the temple where only priests were allowed, signifying a place of holiness and worship. 3. <a href="/topical/t/twenty-five_men.htm">Twenty-five Men</a> Likely representing the leaders or priests of Israel, who are engaging in idolatrous worship. 4. <a href="/topical/t/temple_of_the_lord.htm">Temple of the LORD</a> The central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sun_worship.htm">Sun Worship</a> An idolatrous practice where the men are turning their backs on God to worship the sun, a direct violation of the first commandment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/i/idolatry_in_the_heart.htm">Idolatry in the Heart</a> Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must examine our lives for modern-day idols. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_worship.htm">The Importance of True Worship</a> Worship should be directed solely to God, as He is the only one worthy. Our worship practices should reflect our reverence and obedience to Him. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_accountability.htm">Leadership and Accountability</a> The leaders in Ezekiel's vision were leading the people astray. Spiritual leaders today have a responsibility to guide others in truth and righteousness. <a href="/topical/t/turning_our_backs_on_god.htm">Turning Our Backs on God</a> Physically and spiritually turning away from God leads to separation from Him. We must continually face God, seeking His presence and guidance. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_influences.htm">Cultural Influences</a> Just as the Israelites were influenced by surrounding nations, we must be cautious of cultural influences that lead us away from biblical truths.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 8</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_9_align_with_mercy.htm">How does the judgment in Ezekiel 9 align with other biblical passages emphasizing mercy and forgiveness? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_reverence_for_god_mean.htm">What defines the practice of sun worship?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_sun_worship.htm">What defines the practice of sun worship?</a> <a href="/q/how_was_the_gate's_timing_maintained.htm">Ezekiel 46:1-2 describes a gate that remains shut during the six working days but opens on the Sabbath; how could such consistent timing be maintained with ancient technology and calendars?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Between the porch and the altar.--Ezekiel now returns to the court of the priests, and there sees--not about, but as it were (referring to the nature of the vision)--"twenty-five men." These are probably the high priest and the heads of the twenty-four courses, representing the whole body of the priests, as the elders represented the whole body of the people. They were standing between the altar and the Temple, therefore in the most sacred part of the court, and there, turning their backs upon the Temple of the Lord, worshipped the sun. The adoration of the sun, probably the earliest form of false religion, was the especial worship of Persia, but had been long since practised by the kings and people of Judah (<a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm" title="And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.">2Kings 23:5</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-11.htm" title="And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.">2Kings 23:11</a>). Thus all classes of the nation are seen to be involved in common sin; and the priests particularly, the especial guardians of true religion, are found practising this sin under circumstances of peculiar insult to God. That the "chief priests" did pollute the sanctuary at this time is expressly asserted in the history at <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm" title="Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.">2Chronicles 36:14</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - He brought me into the inner court. The last and the worst form of desecration follows. It was the "inner court" (<a href="/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17</a>) which, after the exile, was entered only by the priests. During the monarchy, however, it seems to have been accessible to kings and other persons of importance, as in the case of Solomon (<a href="/1_kings/8-22.htm">1 Kings 8:22, 64</a>; <a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm">1 Kings 9:25</a>) in the revolution against Athaliah (<a href="/2_kings/11-4.htm">2 Kings 11:4-15</a>), and Hezekiah (<a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14</a>), and Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2</a>). Ezekiel does not say that the men whom he saw were priests, though the number twenty-five suggests that they were taking the place of the high priest and the heads of the twenty-four courses of the priesthood (<a href="/1_chronicles/24-4.htm">1 Chronicles 24:4-19</a>), and so symbolized the whole order of the priesthood as the seventy elders represented the laity. In <a href="/2_chronicles/36-14.htm">2 Chronicles 36:14</a> the chief of the priests is spoken of as having been prominent in "polluting the house of the Lord." They were seen turning their backs to the temple of Jehovah, i.e. the sanctuary. The very act was symbolical of their apostasy (<a href="/2_chronicles/29-6.htm">2 Chronicles 29:6</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a>). And they did this in order that they might look to the east and worship the rising sun. That, and not the temple (<a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a>), was the Kiblah of their adoration. The sun worship here appears to have had a Persian character, as being offered to the sun itself, and not to Baal, as a solar god. Of such a worship we have traces in <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Deuteronomy 17:3</a>; <a href="/job/31-26.htm">Job 31:26</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5, 11</a>. <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So He brought וַיָּבֵ֣א (way·yā·ḇê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go me to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the inner הַפְּנִימִית֒ (hap·pə·nî·mîṯ) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6442.htm">Strong's 6442: </a> Interior court חֲצַ֣ר (ḥă·ṣar) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2691.htm">Strong's 2691: </a> A yard, a hamlet of the house בֵּית־ (bêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of the LORD, יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and there וְהִנֵּה־ (wə·hin·nêh-) Conjunctive waw | Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! at the entrance פֶ֜תַח (p̄e·ṯaḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6607.htm">Strong's 6607: </a> An opening, door, entrance way to the temple הֵיכַ֣ל (hê·ḵal) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1964.htm">Strong's 1964: </a> A large public building, palace, temple of the LORD, יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel between בֵּ֤ין (bên) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between the portico הָֽאוּלָם֙ (hā·’ū·lām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_197.htm">Strong's 197: </a> A vestibule and the altar, הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar were about twenty-five כְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים (kə·‘eś·rîm) Preposition-k | Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> Twenty, twentieth men אִ֑ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person with their backs אֲחֹ֨רֵיהֶ֜ם (’ă·ḥō·rê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> The hinder part, behind, backward, the West to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the temple הֵיכַ֤ל (hê·ḵal) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1964.htm">Strong's 1964: </a> A large public building, palace, temple of the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and their faces וּפְנֵיהֶ֣ם (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face toward the east; קֵ֔דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> The front, of place, time and they וְהֵ֛מָּה (wə·hêm·māh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They were bowing to the east קֵ֖דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh) Adverb | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6924.htm">Strong's 6924: </a> The front, of place, time in worship מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֥ם (miš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate of the sun. לַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (laš·šā·meš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-16.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:16 He brought me into the inner court (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/8-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 8:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 8:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/8-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 8:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 8:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>