Ezekiel 8:13 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 8:13 mean?

Ezekiel 8:13 records God telling Ezekiel to look again, promising that Ezekiel will witness even greater acts of spiritual corruption among the people. The verse signals that what Ezekiel has already seen is only the beginning, and more shocking offenses against God are about to be revealed.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel in a vision, showing him the hidden sins of Jerusalem’s leaders. The phrase highlights a progression: each new revelation exposes deeper and more serious "abominations," or detestable practices, that the people are committing. This prepares Ezekiel—and the reader—for further disturbing scenes that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 8:13

• "Turn" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to turn back or return. Here, it is a command for Ezekiel to shift his attention, suggesting that what he has seen so far is not the full picture.
• "Greater" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word means great or large. Its use here emphasizes that the next sins Ezekiel will see are even more serious or offensive than those already shown.
• "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): This word refers to things that are detestable or repugnant, especially in a religious or moral sense. It highlights the seriousness of the acts being revealed to Ezekiel.

Why Ezekiel 8:13 matters

• Ezekiel 8:13 makes clear that the spiritual corruption in Jerusalem is not limited to what has already been shown; there are even worse practices hidden from public view.
• The verse sets up a sense of escalation, preparing the reader for a series of increasingly severe revelations about the people's unfaithfulness.
• By using the word "greater," the verse underscores that God is fully aware of the depth of the people's wrongdoing, and nothing is hidden from Him—even the most secret or shocking acts.