King James Version

What Does Ezekiel 8:3 Mean?

Ezekiel 8:3 in the King James Version says “And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth ... — study this verse from Ezekiel chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

Ezekiel 8:3 · KJV


Context

1

And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.

2

Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.

3

And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy.

4

And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.

5

Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Spirit transports Ezekiel in vision to Jerusalem's temple, where he sees 'the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy' (semel haqinah hamaqneh, סֵמֶל הַקִּנְאָה הַמַּקְנֶה). This idol, likely representing Asherah (the Canaanite fertility goddess), was placed at the northern entrance to the inner court—directly facing the temple's holy place. The term 'jealousy' (qinah, קִנְאָה) reflects God's covenant exclusivity (Exodus 20:5, 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24). Just as marital unfaithfulness provokes jealousy in a faithful spouse, idolatry provokes God's righteous jealousy. The idol's location—in the temple itself—makes the offense particularly egregious. This wasn't private household idolatry but public, official desecration of God's dwelling place. The vision reveals why God's glory must depart and judgment must come—His holy presence cannot coexist with idolatrous abomination.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

King Manasseh had earlier placed an Asherah idol in the temple (2 Kings 21:7), which Josiah removed during his reforms (2 Kings 23:6). However, after Josiah's death, idolatry resurged under Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread Asherah worship in Israel and Judah, with inscriptions mentioning 'Yahweh and his Asherah.' This syncretism attempted to merge Canaanite fertility religion with Yahwism—a grotesque corruption of monotheistic covenant faith. For exiles in Babylon (where Ezekiel received this vision in 592 BC), this revelation explained Jerusalem's impending destruction. The temple's sanctity had been violated beyond remedy, necessitating divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'idols of jealousy' compete for God's exclusive place in your heart and worship?
  2. How does understanding God's covenant jealousy deepen your appreciation for His passionate love?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיִּשְׁלַח֙1 of 30

And he put forth

H7971

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

תַּבְנִ֣ית2 of 30

the form

H8403

structure; by implication, a model, resemblance

יָ֔ד3 of 30

of an hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיִּקָּחֵ֖נִי4 of 30

and took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּצִיצִ֣ת5 of 30

me by a lock

H6734

a floral or wing-like projection, i.e., a forelock of hair, a tassel

רֹאשִׁ֑י6 of 30

of mine head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַתִּשָּׂ֣א7 of 30

lifted me up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֹתִ֣י8 of 30
H853

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

ר֣וּחַ׀9 of 30

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

בֵּֽין10 of 30
H996

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

הָאָ֣רֶץ11 of 30

between the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּבֵ֣ין12 of 30
H996

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

הַשָּׁמַ֡יִם13 of 30

and the heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וַתָּבֵא֩14 of 30

and brought

H935

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

אֹתִ֨י15 of 30
H853

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

יְרוּשָׁלְַ֜מָה16 of 30

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּמַרְא֣וֹת17 of 30

me in the visions

H4759

(causatively) a mirror

אֱלֹהִ֗ים18 of 30

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל19 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֜תַח20 of 30

to the door

H6607

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

שַׁ֤עַר21 of 30

gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַפְּנִימִית֙22 of 30

of the inner

H6442

interior

הַפּוֹנֶ֣ה23 of 30

that looketh

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

צָפ֔וֹנָה24 of 30

toward the north

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

אֲשֶׁר25 of 30
H834

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

שָׁ֣ם26 of 30
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מוֹשַׁ֔ב27 of 30

where was the seat

H4186

a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population

סֵ֖מֶל28 of 30

of the image

H5566

a likeness

הַקִּנְאָ֥ה29 of 30

of jealousy

H7068

jealousy or envy

הַמַּקְנֶֽה׃30 of 30

which provoketh to jealousy

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own


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 8:3 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 8:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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