King James Version
What Does Ezekiel 8:13 Mean?
“He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.”
Ezekiel 8:13 · KJV
Context
11
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.
12
Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.
13
He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do.
14
Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
15
Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryHe said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. After revealing the seventy elders idolatry, God warns Ezekiel that even worse practices await his observation. This progression from bad to worse demonstrates the comprehensive degradation of temple worship and justifies the severe judgment to follow.
Turn thee yet again indicates movement to another location within the vision, another revelatory vantage point. God systematically exposes layer after layer of corruption, ensuring the prophet fully comprehends the depth of covenant violation. Each new revelation builds evidence for justified divine judgment.
Thou shalt see greater abominations than these establishes progression of wickedness. What seemed shocking proves to be relatively mild compared to what follows. Greater abominations indicates escalating severity in God estimation. The superlative form emphasizes that worse violations exist beyond what has already been exposed.
From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the comprehensive nature of divine knowledge. God sees all layers of sin from least to greatest. It also shows judicial process—God fully documents all evidence before executing judgment. The verse warns that human capacity for wickedness is deeper than we imagine, and that religious people can engage in practices more offensive than they realize.
Turn thee yet again indicates movement to another location within the vision, another revelatory vantage point. God systematically exposes layer after layer of corruption, ensuring the prophet fully comprehends the depth of covenant violation. Each new revelation builds evidence for justified divine judgment.
Thou shalt see greater abominations than these establishes progression of wickedness. What seemed shocking proves to be relatively mild compared to what follows. Greater abominations indicates escalating severity in God estimation. The superlative form emphasizes that worse violations exist beyond what has already been exposed.
From Reformed perspective, this demonstrates the comprehensive nature of divine knowledge. God sees all layers of sin from least to greatest. It also shows judicial process—God fully documents all evidence before executing judgment. The verse warns that human capacity for wickedness is deeper than we imagine, and that religious people can engage in practices more offensive than they realize.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The progression of revealed abominations follows pedagogical pattern: God teaches Ezekiel (and through him, the exiles) by building from shocking to more shocking revelations. This method ensures the lesson is learned thoroughly. Ancient Near Eastern literature used similar progressive revelation in wisdom and prophetic texts.
What Ezekiel has seen—the image of jealousy (v.5), the secret chamber idolatry (v.10), and the seventy elders worship (v.11)—already constitutes comprehensive covenant violation. Yet God indicates worse practices remain, building toward climactic revelation of abominations even more offensive to His holiness.
The pedagogical method serves apologetic purpose. When judgment falls in 586 BC and the temple is destroyed, the exiles will understand this was not divine weakness or injustice but righteous response to comprehensive, multilayered covenant violation that went far beyond surface problems.
For contemporary readers, this progression warns against assuming we have seen the full extent of sin either personally or institutionally. Human depravity runs deeper than we naturally perceive, requiring divine revelation to expose fully.
What Ezekiel has seen—the image of jealousy (v.5), the secret chamber idolatry (v.10), and the seventy elders worship (v.11)—already constitutes comprehensive covenant violation. Yet God indicates worse practices remain, building toward climactic revelation of abominations even more offensive to His holiness.
The pedagogical method serves apologetic purpose. When judgment falls in 586 BC and the temple is destroyed, the exiles will understand this was not divine weakness or injustice but righteous response to comprehensive, multilayered covenant violation that went far beyond surface problems.
For contemporary readers, this progression warns against assuming we have seen the full extent of sin either personally or institutionally. Human depravity runs deeper than we naturally perceive, requiring divine revelation to expose fully.
Reflection Questions
- What does progressive revelation of sin teach about comprehensive divine knowledge?
- How does God systematic exposure of wickedness demonstrate judicial thoroughness?
- In what ways might churches today practice abominations worse than what initially appears?
- What is the danger of assuming we have seen the worst of human or institutional corruption?
- How does complete exposure of sin highlight the miracle of God grace in Christ (Romans 5:20)?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 10 wordsע֣וֹד3 of 10
H5750properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
תָּשׁ֥וּב4 of 10
“also unto me Turn”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
תִּרְאֶ֛ה5 of 10
“thee yet again and thou shalt see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
תּוֹעֵב֥וֹת6 of 10
“abominations”
H8441properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
אֲשֶׁר8 of 10
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
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 8:13 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 8:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge