He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.

EZEKIEL 8:6KJV
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Ezekiel 8:6 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 8:6 mean?

Ezekiel 8:6 describes God showing the prophet Ezekiel the terrible sins (“great abominations”) that the people of Israel are committing in the temple, which are so serious that God says they drive Him away from His own sanctuary. God then tells Ezekiel that if he looks further, he will see even worse things happening.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Ezekiel, calling him “son of man” and asking if he sees what the people are doing in the temple area. The setting is a vision where Ezekiel is shown the secret, sinful practices of Israel’s leaders inside the temple in Jerusalem. This verse sets the stage for God to reveal even greater acts of unfaithfulness, highlighting how deeply the people have turned away from Him.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 8:6

  • The word “abominations” (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah) refers to things that are deeply offensive or detestable, especially in a religious sense. Here, it points to actions that violate God’s holiness and the sacredness of the temple.
  • The word “sanctuary” (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash) means a holy place set apart for God’s presence. God’s question about being “far off” from His sanctuary underscores how these sins are driving Him away from the place meant for worship and His presence.
  • The phrase “greater abominations” (תּוֹעֵבָה גְּדוֹלָה, toʿevah gedolah) shows that what Ezekiel has seen so far is only the beginning; even more shocking acts are about to be revealed.

Why Ezekiel 8:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the problem is not just individual sin but widespread, serious corruption among the people, even in the temple itself.
  • It emphasizes how the actions of the people have real consequences, causing God’s presence to withdraw from the sanctuary.
  • Ezekiel 8:6 prepares the reader for the rest of the chapter, where God will show Ezekiel even more disturbing examples of Israel’s unfaithfulness, highlighting the depth of the nation’s spiritual crisis.

Where else these words appear

“off” Hebrew H7368 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Psalms 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
  • Ecclesiastes 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

“sanctuary” Hebrew H4720 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
  • Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
  • Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:3 Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations.