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 20:8KJV
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Ezekiel 20:8 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 20:8 mean?

Ezekiel 20:8 says that the Israelites refused to listen to God and did not give up the idols and detestable things they had seen in Egypt, so God declared He would pour out His anger on them while they were still in Egypt. The verse highlights the people's stubbornness and God's warning of judgment because of their continued idolatry.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the elders of Israel, reminding them of their ancestors' rebellion during the time they were in Egypt. The verse is part of a larger passage where God recounts Israel's repeated disobedience and His patience with them. The focus here is on the people's refusal to abandon Egyptian idols, despite God's clear commands, and the serious consequences this brought.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 20:8

  • "Rebelled" (מָרָה, marah): This word means to act defiantly or stubbornly against authority. Here, it emphasizes that the Israelites' actions were not just mistakes but willful resistance to God.
  • "Abominations" (שִׁקּוּצִים, shiqquṭsim): This word refers to things that are detestable or disgusting, especially in the context of idol worship. It shows how strongly God viewed the idols and practices the Israelites clung to.
  • "Idols" (גִּלּוּלִים, gillulim): This term is often used in Ezekiel for false gods or idols, and it carries a sense of contempt. It underlines that what the Israelites were worshipping in Egypt was not just foreign but deeply offensive to God.
  • "Fury" (חֵמָה, chemah) and "anger" (אַף, aph): Both words are used to describe God's intense emotional response to Israel's disobedience, highlighting the seriousness of their actions and the reality of divine judgment.

Why Ezekiel 20:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel's problems with idolatry did not start after they left Egypt; they began while still in Egypt, showing a long history of disobedience.
  • It emphasizes that God's anger was not arbitrary but a response to persistent rebellion and refusal to change, even after clear warnings.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Ezekiel 20, where God recounts Israel's repeated failures and His continued patience, helping readers see the depth of both human stubbornness and divine mercy.

Where else these words appear

“abominations” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:17 And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)
  • Jeremiah 7:30 For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
  • Ezekiel 20:7 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.

“rebelled” Hebrew H4784 · used in 43 verses

  • Numbers 20:10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
  • 1 Kings 13:21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee,
  • Psalms 107:11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

“idols” Hebrew H1544 · used in 45 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.
  • Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.

“would” Hebrew H14 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 24:5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
  • 1 Samuel 22:17 And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.