King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 8:17 Mean?

Ezekiel 8:17 in the King James Version says “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 ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezekiel 8:17 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"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." God's rhetorical questions emphasize sin's gravity. The phrase "is it a light thing" rebukes casual attitude toward covenant violation. Idolatry combined with violence (social injustice) compounds guilt. True religion requires both right worship and right conduct. Divorcing theology from ethics betrays covenant relationship. God demands comprehensive obedience: loving Him supremely and neighbors justly.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pre-exilic Judah (592 BC) combined false worship with social oppression—a deadly combination prophets repeatedly condemned. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and Micah all indicted this hypocrisy: elaborate religious ceremonies alongside exploitation of vulnerable. God rejects worship divorced from justice (Isaiah 1:11-17). The temple's corruption extended beyond ritual to ethical failure, filling the land with violence. This comprehensive rebellion necessitated comprehensive judgment. The pattern warns against divorcing orthodoxy from orthopraxy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does combining false worship with social injustice compound guilt?
  2. What modern examples exist of religious activity divorced from ethical integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 27

Then he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַי֮2 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֲרָאִ֣יתָ3 of 27

unto me Hast thou seen

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בֶן4 of 27

this O son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָדָם֒5 of 27

of man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

הֲנָקֵל֙6 of 27

Is it a light thing

H7043

to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

לְבֵ֣ית7 of 27

to the house

H1004

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

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 27

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עָֽשׂוּ9 of 27

that they commit

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת10 of 27
H853

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

הַתּוֹעֵב֖וֹת11 of 27

the abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָֽשׂוּ13 of 27

that they commit

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

פֹ֑ה14 of 27
H6311

this place (french ici), i.e., here or hence

כִּֽי15 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָלְא֨וּ16 of 27

here for they have filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת17 of 27
H853

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

הָאָ֜רֶץ18 of 27

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חָמָ֗ס19 of 27

with violence

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙20 of 27

and have returned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי21 of 27

to provoke me to anger

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

וְהִנָּ֛ם22 of 27
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

שֹׁלְחִ֥ים23 of 27

and lo they put

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת24 of 27
H853

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

הַזְּמוֹרָ֖ה25 of 27

the branch

H2156

a twig (as pruned)

אֶל26 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַפָּֽם׃27 of 27

to their nose

H639

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


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 8:17 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 8:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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