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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 8:11 Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. 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Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Seventy leaders of Israel were standing there with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan in the center. Each of them held an incense burner, from which a cloud of incense rose above their heads. <a href="/esv/ezekiel/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up. <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients 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 a thick cloud of incense went up. <a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. <a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand; and the fragrance of the cloud of incense was rising. <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand and the fragrance of the cloud of incense rising. <a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand, and the fragrance of the cloud of incense rising. <a href="/lsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Standing in front of them were seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them, each man with his censer in his hand and the fragrance of the cloud of incense rising. <a href="/amp/ezekiel/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Standing before these [images] were seventy elders of the house of Israel, and among them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan [the scribe], each man with his censer in his hand and a thick and fragrant cloud of incense was rising [as they prayed to these gods]. <a href="/csb/ezekiel/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Seventy elders from the house of Israel were standing before them, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a firepan in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising up. <a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Seventy elders from the house of Israel were standing before them, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a firepan in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising up. <a href="/asv/ezekiel/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel; and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, every man with his censer in his hand; and the odor of the cloud of incense went up. <a href="/cev/ezekiel/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Seventy Israelite leaders were standing there, including Jaazaniah son of Shaphan. Each of these leaders was holding an incense burner, and the smell of incense filled the room. <a href="/erv/ezekiel/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And there stood before them seventy 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 the odour of the cloud of incense went up. <a href="/gwt/ezekiel/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In front of these drawings stood 70 of Israel's leaders. Jaazaniah, son of Shaphan, was standing with the leaders. Each of them was holding an incense burner in his hand, and a cloud of incense went up. <a href="/gnt/ezekiel/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Seventy Israelite leaders were there, including Jaazaniah son of Shaphan. Each one was holding an incense burner, and smoke was rising from the incense. <a href="/isv/ezekiel/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> I saw 70 men from the elders of the house of Israel standing among them, including Shaphan's son Jaazaniah. Each man held a censer in his hand. As the scent of the cloud of incense ascended, <a href="/msb/ezekiel/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. <a href="/net/ezekiel/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Seventy men from the elders of the house of Israel (with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them) were standing in front of them, each with a censer in his hand, and fragrant vapors from a cloud of incense were swirling upward. <a href="/nheb/ezekiel/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> There stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel; and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, every man with his censer in his hand; and the odor of the cloud of incense went up. <a href="/wbt/ezekiel/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And there stood before them seventy 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 a thick cloud of incense went up. <a href="/web/ezekiel/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel stood before them. In the middle of them Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan stood, every man with his censer in his hand; and the smell of the cloud of incense went up. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and seventy men from [the] elderly of the house of Israel—and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing in their midst—are standing before them, and each [with] his censer in his hand, and [the] abundance of [the] cloud of the incense is going up. <a href="/ylt/ezekiel/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel -- and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing in their midst -- are standing before them, and each his censer in his hand, and the abundance of the cloud of perfume is going up. <a href="/slt/ezekiel/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And seventy men from the old men of the house of Israel, and Jaazaniah, son of Shaphan, stood in the midst of them, standing before them, and each his censer in his hand; and a rich cloud of incense went up.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezekiel/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and Jezonias the son of Saaphan stood in the midst of them, that stood before the pictures: and every one had a censer in his hand: and a cloud of smoke went up from the incense. <a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And there were seventy men out of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan, standing in their midst, and they stood before the pictures. And each one had a censer in his hand. And a cloud of smoke rose up from the incense. <a href="/nabre/ezekiel/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Before them stood seventy of the elders of the house of Israel. Among them stood Jaazaniah, son of Shaphan, each with censer in hand; a cloud of incense drifted upward. <a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Before them stood seventy of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the fragrant cloud of incense was ascending.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, and they were standing before him every man his censer in his hand; and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up. <a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And seventy men of the Elders of the house of Israel, and Yazaniah son of Shaphan was standing among them, and those had been standing before him, and a man with his censer in his hand, and incense of the smoke of sweet spices went up<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezekiel/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, every man with his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. <a href="/sep/ezekiel/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and Jechonias the son of Saphan stood in their presence in the midst of them, and each one held his censer in his hand; and the smoke of the incense went up. <a href="/parallel/ezekiel/8-11.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=1747" 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> …10So I went in and looked, and engraved all around the wall was every kind of crawling creature and detestable beast, along with all the idols of the house of Israel. 11<a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">Before them</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ō·mêḏ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">stood</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: wə·šiḇ·‘îm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">seventy</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: miz·ziq·nê (Prep-m:: Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">of the house</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2970.htm" title="2970: wə·ya·’ă·zan·yā·hū (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Yah hears, the name of several Isr. Or Ya.azanyahuw; from 'azan and Yahh; heard of Jah; Jaazanjah, the name of four Israelites.">with Jaazaniah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇen- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/8227.htm" title="8227: šā·p̄ān (N-proper-ms) -- A species of rockrabbit, the hyrax. From saphan; a species of rock-rabbit, i.e. Probably the hyrax.">of Shaphan</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ō·mə·ḏîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">standing</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: bə·ṯō·w·ḵām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">among them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’îš (Conj-w:: 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.">Each</a> <a href="/hebrew/4730.htm" title="4730: miq·ṭar·tōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A censer. Feminine of miqtar; something to fume in, i.e. A coal-pan.">had a censer</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in his hand,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6282.htm" title="6282: wa·‘ă·ṯar (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Incense, a worshipper. From athar; incense; hence a worshipper.">and a fragrant</a> <a href="/hebrew/6051.htm" title="6051: ‘ă·nan- (N-msc) -- A cloud mass, cloud. From anan; a cloud, i.e. The nimbus or thunder-cloud.">cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/7004.htm" title="7004: haq·qə·ṭō·reṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense. From qatar; a fumigation.">of incense</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ō·leh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">was rising.</a> 12“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’ ”…<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="/jeremiah/11-13.htm">Jeremiah 11:13</a> Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ <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="/isaiah/44-13.htm">Isaiah 44:13-17</a> The woodworker extends a measuring line; he marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He fashions it in the likeness of man, like man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine. / He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a> Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3-5</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Deuteronomy 32:16-17</a> They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a> They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a> They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a> No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</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. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a> What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” <a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Revelation 9:20</a> Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. <a href="/acts/17-29.htm">Acts 17:29</a> Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. <a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a> Little children, keep yourselves from idols. <a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a> Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the middle of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.seventy<a href="/exodus/24-1.htm">Exodus 24:1,9</a> And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off… <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16,25</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee… <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Jeremiah 5:5</a> I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.Shaphan<a href="/2_kings/22-3.htm">2 Kings 22:3</a> And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,<a href="/2_kings/8-12.htm">2 Kings 8:12,14</a> And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child… <a href="/2_kings/25-22.htm">2 Kings 25:22</a> And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.every<a href="/numbers/16-17.htm">Numbers 16:17,35</a> And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer… <a href="/2_chronicles/26-16.htm">2 Chronicles 26:16,19</a> But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense… <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a> Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Ancients</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-19.htm">Censer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-1.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/songs/7-13.htm">Fragrance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-5.htm">Front</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-3.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-6.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/35-3.htm">Jaazaniah</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-11.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-24.htm">Odor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-6.htm">Shaphan</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-23.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-23.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/ezekiel/6-13.htm">Thick</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ancients</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Censer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-3.htm">Cloud</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-19.htm">Fragrance</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-11.htm">Front</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-1.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-18.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Jaazaniah</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-19.htm">Odor</a> <a href="/ezekiel/41-12.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-5.htm">Shaphan</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-3.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/ezekiel/9-2.htm">Stood</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-11.htm">Thick</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>Before them stood seventy elders of the house of Israel The number seventy often signifies completeness or a representative leadership group in biblical texts, as seen with the seventy elders appointed by Moses in <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16-25</a>. These elders were meant to guide and represent the people, indicating a significant level of authority and responsibility. The presence of these elders in this vision suggests a widespread corruption among Israel's leadership, as they are depicted participating in idolatrous practices. This scene reflects the spiritual decline of Israel, where even those who were supposed to lead the people in righteousness were engaged in abominations.with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing among them Jaazaniah is identified by his lineage, linking him to Shaphan, a scribe during King Josiah's reign who played a role in the discovery of the Book of the Law (<a href="/2_kings/22-3.htm">2 Kings 22:3-14</a>). This connection highlights the tragic departure from the reforms and revival under Josiah, as his descendants are now involved in idolatry. The mention of Jaazaniah by name emphasizes the personal accountability of those involved and serves as a stark contrast to the faithfulness of his forebears.Each had a censer in his hand Censers were used in the worship practices of Israel, particularly in the tabernacle and temple, to burn incense as a symbol of prayers ascending to God (<a href="/exodus/30.htm">Exodus 30:1-9</a>). The use of censers by these elders in this context, however, indicates a perversion of true worship. Instead of offering prayers to the God of Israel, they are engaging in idolatrous rituals. This misuse of sacred objects underscores the depth of their apostasy and the blending of pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh.and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising Incense in biblical worship was meant to be a pleasing aroma to the Lord, symbolizing the prayers and intercessions of the people (<a href="/psalms/141-2.htm">Psalm 141:2</a>, <a href="/revelation/8-3.htm">Revelation 8:3-4</a>). In this vision, the rising incense represents the false worship and idolatry that had infiltrated the temple, a direct affront to God. The imagery of the fragrant cloud suggests that the elders believed their actions were acceptable, yet it was a stench in the nostrils of the Lord. This scene foreshadows the judgment that would come upon Israel for their unfaithfulness, as prophesied throughout the book of Ezekiel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/seventy_elders_of_the_house_of_israel.htm">Seventy Elders of the House of Israel</a> These were leaders among the Israelites, representing the people. Their presence in this vision indicates a significant level of corruption and idolatry among the leadership. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jaazaniah_son_of_shaphan.htm">Jaazaniah son of Shaphan</a> A specific elder mentioned by name, possibly highlighting his prominence or the depth of his involvement in the idolatrous practices. 3. <a href="/topical/c/censers_and_incense.htm">Censers and Incense</a> The use of censers and incense in worship was common in Israelite religious practices, but here it is misused in idolatrous worship, symbolizing the perversion of true worship. 4. <a href="/topical/v/vision_of_ezekiel.htm">Vision of Ezekiel</a> This event is part of a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel, revealing the hidden sins of the leaders of Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/t/temple_in_jerusalem.htm">Temple in Jerusalem</a> The setting of this vision is the temple, the central place of worship for the Israelites, which makes the idolatry even more egregious.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a> Idolatry can infiltrate even the most sacred spaces and leadership positions. We must guard our hearts and ensure our worship remains pure and directed solely to God. <a href="/topical/l/leadership_accountability.htm">Leadership Accountability</a> Leaders are held to a high standard and their actions can lead others astray. It is crucial for leaders to remain faithful and accountable to God's Word. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_worship.htm">The Importance of True Worship</a> Worship should be sincere and in accordance with God's commands. We must examine our practices to ensure they align with biblical principles. <a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a> God sees all, even the hidden sins of our hearts. We cannot hide our actions from Him, and we must live with integrity both publicly and privately.<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/is_ezekiel_9_symbolic,_not_literal.htm">Could Ezekiel 9 be interpreted as a purely symbolic vision rather than a literal event, and if so, why include graphic details?</a> <a href="/q/why_are_'creeping_things'_in_the_temple.htm">In Ezekiel 8:10, why would the temple contain images of 'creeping things' if this contradicts the temple's strict laws against idolatry?</a> <a href="/q/was_ezekiel_11_23_a_real_event_or_fiction.htm">Ezekiel 11:23 describes the departure of God's glory from the Temple--how can we verify whether this was a real event or a later literary construct?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_8's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods?</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>(11) Seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel.--There may have been no enclosed chamber about the courts of the temple capable of actually containing so large a number; but again we are to remember that as this is in vision and for purposes of instruction, it is not necessary that all the details should be actually possible. The seventy elders were not the sanhedrin, which was not constituted until after the return from Babylon; but the number has probable reference to the seventy chosen to enjoy with Moses the Theophany of <a href="/context/exodus/24-9.htm" title="Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:">Exodus 24:9-10</a>, and the other seventy selected to share with him in the gifts of the Spirit (<a href="/numbers/11-16.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with you.">Numbers 11:16</a>). In contrast with those selected for especial nearness to God, these seventy are engaged in abominations most abhorrent to Him.Jaazaniah, the son of Shaphan.--Son is perhaps used here, as often in Scripture, in the sense of grandson. In this case he may have been the same with "Jaazaniah, the son of Azur," mentioned in <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm" title="Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me to the east gate of the LORD's house, which looks 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.">Ezekiel 11:1</a> as one of the wicked princes of the people, against whom Ezekiel was directed to prophesy. It is hardly probable that two persons of the same character and the same (not very common) name should have been among the leaders of the people at the same time. The mention of his grandfather here would be appropriate, as bringing out the contrast in their characters, and showing the change for the worse that had been going on among the people. Shaphan was an officer of the court of King Josiah, and active in the reformation instituted by him (<a href="/2_kings/22-3.htm" title="And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,">2Kings 22:3</a>; <a href="/2_kings/22-14.htm" title="So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelled in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.">2Kings 22:14</a>); while his son (Elasah) was one of the messengers by whom Jeremiah sent his prophecies to the Captivity (<a href="/jeremiah/29-3.htm" title="By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,">Jeremiah 29:3</a>); and another son, Gemariah, was a scribe, having a chamber "in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the Lord's house," in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (<a href="/jeremiah/36-10.htm" title="Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house, in the ears of all the people.">Jeremiah 36:10</a>). At the same time his grandson, Michaiah, was sufficiently prominent at court to join in the intercession of the princes against the destruction of Jeremiah's prophecies (<a href="/jeremiah/36-11.htm" title="When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,">Jeremiah 36:11</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/36-25.htm" title="Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.">Jeremiah 36:25</a>); and a little later, in the general captivity of the ninth year of Zedekiah, another grandson, Gedaliah, had the person of Jeremiah given into his charge (<a href="/jeremiah/39-14.htm" title="Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelled among the people.">Jeremiah 39:14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/40-5.htm" title="Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wherever it seems convenient to you to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.">Jeremiah 40:5</a>), and was made governor over the remnant of the people (<a href="/jeremiah/40-11.htm" title="Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;">Jeremiah 40:11</a>). Such being the family connections of Jaazaniah, the corruption which could make him a leader of idolatry is strongly shown. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - Seventy men, etc. The number was probably chosen with reference to the "elders" who had seen the Divine glory in <a href="/exodus/24-9.htm">Exodus 24:9, 10</a>. The Sanhedrin, or council of seventy, did not exist till after the Captivity. The number can scarcely have been accidental, and may imply that the elders were formally representative. Another Jaazaniah, the son of Jeremiah, appears in <a href="/jeremiah/35-3.htm">Jeremiah 35:3</a>; yet another, the son of Azur, in <a href="/ezekiel/11-1.htm">Ezekiel 11:1</a>. If the Shaphan mentioned is the scribe, the son of Azaliah, under Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/22-3.htm">2 Kings 22:3</a>), the father of Ahikam (<a href="/2_kings/22-12.htm">2 Kings 22:12</a>), of Elasah (<a href="/jeremiah/29-3.htm">Jeremiah 29:3</a>), and of Gemariah (<a href="/jeremiah/36-10.htm">Jeremiah 36:10, 11, 12</a>), and the grandfather of Gedaliah (<a href="/jeremiah/39-14.htm">Jeremiah 39:14</a>, et al.), all of whom were prominent in the reform movement under Josiah, or as friends of Jeremiah, and no other Shaphan appears in history, the fact that one of his sons is the leader of the idolatrous company must have had for Ezekiel a specially painful significance. He could scarcely have forgotten the meaning of his name, "The Lord is listening," and probably refers to it in ver. 12. As the climax of this chamber of horrors, the seventy elders were all acting as priests, and were offering to their pictured idols the incense which none but the sons of Aaron had a right to use, and which they offered to Jehovah only. <a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Before them לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם (lip̄·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face stood עֹמֵ֤ד (‘ō·mêḏ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations seventy וְשִׁבְעִ֣ים (wə·šiḇ·‘îm) Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> Seventy (a cardinal number) elders מִזִּקְנֵ֣י (miz·ziq·nê) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> Old of the house בֵֽית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of Israel, יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc with Jaazaniah וְיַאֲזַנְיָ֨הוּ (wə·ya·’ă·zan·yā·hū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2970.htm">Strong's 2970: </a> Jaazaniah -- 'Yah hears', the name of several Israelites son בֶן־ (ḇen-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Shaphan שָׁפָ֜ן (šā·p̄ān) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8227.htm">Strong's 8227: </a> A species of rockrabbit, the hyrax standing עֹמְדִ֣ים (‘ō·mə·ḏîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> To stand, in various relations among them. בְּתוֹכָם֙ (bə·ṯō·w·ḵām) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre Each אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person had a censer מִקְטַרְתּ֖וֹ (miq·ṭar·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4730.htm">Strong's 4730: </a> Something to fume, in, a coal-pan in his hand, בְּיָד֑וֹ (bə·yā·ḏōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand and a fragrant וַעֲתַ֥ר (wa·‘ă·ṯar) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6282.htm">Strong's 6282: </a> Incense, a worshipper cloud עֲנַֽן־ (‘ă·nan-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6051.htm">Strong's 6051: </a> A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud of incense הַקְּטֹ֖רֶת (haq·qə·ṭō·reṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7004.htm">Strong's 7004: </a> Smoke, odor of (burning) sacrifice, incense was rising. עֹלֶֽה׃ (‘ō·leh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezekiel/8-11.htm">Ezekiel 8:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-11.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:11 There stood before them seventy men (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/8-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 8:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 8:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 8:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 8:12" /></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>