King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 8:16 Mean?

Ezekiel 8:16 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezekiel 8:16 · KJV

Context

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.

16

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.

17

Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. Is it: or, Is there any thing lighter than to commit

18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

Read Ezekiel 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The climax of temple abominations: twenty-five men (likely priests) stand between the temple porch and altar—the most sacred space where only priests could enter—with 'their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.' This sun worship represents total apostasy. These men literally turn their backs on God's dwelling to worship creation rather than Creator (Romans 1:25). The eastward orientation aligns with Babylonian and Egyptian solar cults. The number twenty-five may represent two shifts of twelve priests plus the high priest, indicating systematic priestly participation in idolatry. That priests—consecrated to serve Yahweh exclusively—lead in worshiping other gods makes this the most heinous abomination. The location compounds the offense: they defile the exact spot where they should be offering sacrifices to Yahweh.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sun worship was prominent throughout the ancient Near East, particularly in Egypt (Ra) and Babylon (Shamash). King Manasseh had introduced sun worship elements into Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:11), and despite Josiah's reforms, these practices resurged. The eastward orientation was significant—pagan temples faced east to greet the rising sun, while Solomon's temple faced east so the Holy of Holies faced west (1 Kings 6:1-8:11). By facing east to worship the sun, these priests symbolically rejected the God whose glory filled the westward Holy of Holies. Ezekiel sees this vision in 592 BC, four years before Jerusalem's destruction—God reveals that the city's doom is sealed because even the priesthood has abandoned Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do we turn our backs on God to pursue created things rather than the Creator?
  2. How does religious leadership's apostasy accelerate a culture's spiritual decline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיָּבֵ֣א1 of 28

“And he brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֹתִ֗י2 of 28
H853

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

אֶל3 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲצַ֣ר4 of 28

“court”

H2691

a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)

בֵּית5 of 28

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָה֙6 of 28

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַפְּנִימִית֒7 of 28

“me into the inner”

H6442

interior

וְהִנֵּה8 of 28
H2009

lo!

פֶ֜תַח9 of 28

“and behold at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

הֵיכַ֤ל10 of 28

“of the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָה֙11 of 28

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בֵּ֤ין12 of 28
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הָֽאוּלָם֙13 of 28

“between the porch”

H197

a vestibule (as bound to the building)

וּבֵ֣ין14 of 28
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ15 of 28

“and the altar”

H4196

an altar

כְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים16 of 28

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה17 of 28

“were about five”

H2568

five

אִ֑ישׁ18 of 28

“men”

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)

אֲחֹ֨רֵיהֶ֜ם19 of 28

“with their backs”

H268

the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the west

אֶל20 of 28
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֵיכַ֤ל21 of 28

“of the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָה֙22 of 28

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּפְנֵיהֶ֣ם23 of 28

“and their faces”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

קֵ֖דְמָה24 of 28

“toward the east”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וְהֵ֛מָּה25 of 28
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֥ם26 of 28

“and they worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

קֵ֖דְמָה27 of 28

“toward the east”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

לַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃28 of 28

“the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

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 8:16 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 8:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:19Deuteronomy 17:3Jeremiah 32:33Ezekiel 11:1Jeremiah 2:27Job 31:26-28

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