King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 20:8 Mean?

Ezekiel 20:8 in the King James Version says “But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

Ezekiel 20:8 · KJV


Context

6

In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:

7

Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

8

But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

9

But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

10

Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt." Even after the Exodus, Israel clung to Egyptian idolatry. This reveals the depth of human corruption: miraculous deliverance doesn't automatically produce grateful obedience. The "abominations of their eyes" suggests idolatrous affections competing with worship of Yahweh. Freedom from physical bondage doesn't guarantee freedom from spiritual bondage. Only regeneration through the Spirit creates willing obedience from transformed hearts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's wilderness rebellion (Exodus 32, Numbers 14) demonstrated persistent unfaithfulness despite extraordinary deliverance. Ezekiel's recounting (590 BC) showed the exiles that current judgment followed generational patterns. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread Egyptian religious influence in early Israel. The golden calf incident revealed Egyptian religious contamination persisting despite Red Sea crossing and Sinai theophany. The pattern warns that external deliverance without heart transformation produces temporary reformation at best. True conversion requires internal spiritual renewal.

Reflection Questions

  1. What "abominations of the eyes" compete with wholehearted devotion to God?
  2. How does Israel's clinging to Egyptian idolatry despite miraculous deliverance illustrate human depravity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיַּמְרוּ1 of 27

But they rebelled

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

בִ֗י2 of 27
H0
וְלֹ֤א3 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָבוּ֙4 of 27

against me and would

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

לִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ5 of 27

not hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֵלַ֔י6 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִ֣ישׁ7 of 27

unto me they did not every man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת8 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שִׁקּוּצֵ֤י9 of 27

the abominations

H8251

disgusting, i.e., filthy; especially idolatrous or (concretely) an idol

עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙10 of 27

of their eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

לֹ֣א11 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִשְׁלִ֔יכוּ12 of 27

cast away

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

וְאֶת13 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גִּלּוּלֵ֥י14 of 27

the idols

H1544

properly, a log (as round); by implication, an idol

מִצְרָֽיִם׃15 of 27

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לֹ֣א16 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָזָ֑בוּ17 of 27

neither did they forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

וָאֹמַ֞ר18 of 27

then I said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִשְׁפֹּ֧ךְ19 of 27

I will pour out

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

חֲמָתִ֣י20 of 27

my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם21 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְכַלּ֤וֹת22 of 27

upon them to accomplish

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אַפִּי֙23 of 27

my anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

בָּהֶ֔ם24 of 27
H0
בְּת֖וֹךְ25 of 27

against them in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

אֶ֥רֶץ26 of 27

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃27 of 27

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezekiel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezekiel 20:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezekiel 20:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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