Ezekiel 8:16
New International Version
He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east.

New Living Translation
Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD’s Temple. At the entrance to the sanctuary, between the entry room and the bronze altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs to the sanctuary of the LORD. They were facing east, bowing low to the ground, worshiping the sun!

English Standard Version
And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD. And behold, at the entrance of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east, worshiping the sun toward the east.

Berean Standard Bible
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

New American Standard Bible
Then He brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD while their faces were toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.

NASB 1995
Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.

NASB 1977
Then He brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He brought me into the inner court of the house of Yahweh. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of Yahweh, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of Yahweh and their faces toward the east; and they were prostrating themselves eastward toward the sun.

Amplified Bible
So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD’S house. And behold, at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the porch (vestibule, portico) and the [bronze] altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing down toward the east and worshiping the sun.

Christian Standard Bible
So he brought me to the inner court of the LORD’s house, and there were about twenty-five men at the entrance of the LORD’s temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD’s temple and their faces turned to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So He brought me to the inner court of the LORD’s house, and there were about 25 men at the entrance of the LORD’s temple, between the portico and the altar, with their backs to the LORD’s temple and their faces turned to the east. They were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

American Standard Version
And he brought me into the inner court of Jehovah's house; and behold, at the door of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of Jehovah, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east.

Contemporary English Version
I was then led into the temple's inner courtyard, where I saw about 25 men standing near the entrance, between the porch and the altar. Their backs were to the LORD's temple, and they were bowing down to the rising sun.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he brought me into the inner courtyard of the LORD's temple. There at the entrance to the LORD's temple, between the entrance and the altar, were about 25 men who had their backs turned to the LORD's temple. They were facing east and worshiping the rising sun.

Good News Translation
So he took me to the inner courtyard of the Temple. There near the entrance of the sanctuary, between the altar and the porch, were about twenty-five men. They had turned their backs to the sanctuary and were bowing low toward the east, worshiping the rising sun.

International Standard Version
Then he brought me to the inner court of the LORD's Temple. There, at the entrance to the LORD's Temple, between the porch and the altar, were 25 men, with their backs toward the LORD's Temple and facing the east, prostrating themselves to the sun.

Majority Standard Bible
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

NET Bible
Then he brought me to the inner court of the LORD's house. Right there at the entrance to the LORD's temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the LORD's temple, facing east--they were worshiping the sun toward the east!

New Heart English Bible
He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and see, at the door of the LORD's temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs toward the LORD's temple, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 towards the temple of the LORD, and their faces towards the east; and they worshiped the sun towards the east.

World English Bible
He brought me into the inner court of Yahweh’s house; and I saw at the door of Yahweh’s temple, between the porch and the altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs toward Yahweh’s temple and their faces toward the east. They were worshiping the sun toward the east.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He brings me into the inner court of the house of YHWH, and behold, at the opening of the temple of YHWH, between the porch and the altar, about twenty-five men, their backs toward the temple of YHWH, and their faces eastward, and they are bowing themselves eastward to the sun.

Young's Literal Translation
And He bringeth me in unto the inner court of the house of Jehovah, and lo, at the opening of the temple of Jehovah, between the porch and the altar, about twenty-five men, their backs toward the temple of Jehovah, and their faces eastward, and they are bowing themselves eastward to the sun.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he brought me to the enclosure of the house of Jehovah within, and behold, a door of the temple of Jehovah, and between the porch and between the altar, about twenty and five men, their backs to the temple, and their faces to the east; and they worshiping the east to the sun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord: and behold at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men having their backs towards the temple of the Lord, and their faces to the east: and they adored towards the rising of the sun.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he led me into the inner atrium of the house of the Lord. And behold, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the vestibule and the altar, there were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east. And they were adoring toward the rising of the Sun.

New American Bible
Then he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD. There at the door of the LORD’s temple, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the LORD’s temple and their faces toward the east; they were bowing eastward to the sun.

New Revised Standard Version
And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the LORD; there, at the entrance of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men, with their backs to the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east, prostrating themselves to the sun toward the east.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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, there stood about twenty-five men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he brought me into the courtyard of the inner house of LORD JEHOVAH, and I saw in the door of the temple of LORD JEHOVAH, between the porch and the altar, about twenty and five men stood and their backs were against the temple of LORD JEHOVAH and their faces toward the East, and they arose early and they worshipped the sun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and at the entrance of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty men, with their back parts toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces turned the opposite way; and these were worshipping the sun.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple
15“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Yet you will see even greater abominations than these.” 16So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. 17“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see this? Is it not enough for the house of Judah to commit the abominations they are practicing here, that they must also fill the land with violence and continually provoke Me to anger? Look, they are even putting the branch to their nose!…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:11
And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun.

Jeremiah 8:2
They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.

2 Chronicles 29:6
For our fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him.

2 Chronicles 36:14
Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Deuteronomy 4:19
When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

2 Kings 21:5
In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

2 Kings 23:5
Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

Zephaniah 1:5
those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Acts 7:42
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

Matthew 4:9-10
“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” / “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

John 4:24
God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

the inner

Ezekiel 10:3
Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.

Ezekiel 40:28
And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;

Ezekiel 43:5
So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

at the door

2 Kings 16:14
And he brought also the brasen altar, which was before the LORD, from the forefront of the house, from between the altar and the house of the LORD, and put it on the north side of the altar.

2 Chronicles 7:7
Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.

Joel 2:17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

about

Ezekiel 11:1
Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD'S house, which looketh eastward: and behold at the door of the gate five and twenty men; among whom I saw Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people.

with their

Ezekiel 23:35
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast forgotten me, and cast me behind thy back, therefore bear thou also thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

1 Kings 8:29
That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

2 Chronicles 29:6
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

their faces

Deuteronomy 4:19
And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 17:3
And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

2 Kings 23:5,11
And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven…

and they.

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Ezekiel 8
1. Ezekiel, in a vision of God at Jerusalem
5. is shown the image of jealousy
7. the chambers of imagery
13. the mourners for Tammuz
16. the worshippers toward the sun
17. God's wrath for their idolatry














So He brought me into the inner court
The "inner court" refers to the sacred area within the temple complex, reserved for the priests and the most holy activities. In the Hebrew context, this was a place of profound sanctity, symbolizing the heart of worship and communion with God. The act of being brought into this space signifies a divine revelation, as Ezekiel is shown the abominations occurring in a place meant for holiness. This highlights the gravity of the idolatry being committed, as it is not just in any location, but in the very heart of God's earthly dwelling.

of the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" is a term used to describe the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was considered the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) conveys not just a physical structure but a familial and covenantal relationship. The desecration occurring here is a direct affront to the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD
The "entrance to the temple" was a significant location, as it was the threshold between the outer courts and the holy place. This was a place of transition, where worshippers would prepare to enter into deeper communion with God. The presence of idolatry at this critical juncture underscores the depth of Israel's spiritual corruption, as they have allowed pagan practices to infiltrate even the most sacred spaces.

between the portico and the altar
The "portico" (or porch) and the "altar" were key elements of the temple's architecture. The portico served as a grand entrance, while the altar was central to the sacrificial system, representing atonement and worship. The positioning of the men between these two elements symbolizes a perversion of worship, as they stand in a place meant for reverence and sacrifice, yet engage in idolatry.

were about twenty-five men
The number "twenty-five" may symbolize the leaders of the people, possibly representing the twenty-four divisions of priests plus the high priest, or it could be a symbolic number representing a complete group of leaders. This indicates that the corruption was not limited to the common people but had infiltrated the leadership, those who were supposed to guide the nation in righteousness.

with their backs to the temple of the LORD
Turning one's back to the temple signifies a deliberate rejection of God and His covenant. In the Hebrew mindset, directionality in worship was significant; facing the temple was an act of reverence and submission to God. By turning their backs, these men are symbolically and literally rejecting God's presence and authority.

and their faces toward the east
Facing "toward the east" is significant because it was the direction of the rising sun, often associated with pagan sun worship. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the sun was a prominent deity, and turning toward the east for worship was a common practice among Israel's pagan neighbors. This act represents a turning away from the true God to embrace false gods.

and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun
Bowing is an act of submission and reverence, and in this context, it is directed toward the sun, a created entity rather than the Creator. This idolatry is a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods. The Hebrew word for "worship" (שָׁחָה, shachah) implies prostration and deep reverence, indicating that these men have given their devotion to something other than God, highlighting the spiritual adultery of Israel.

(16) Between the porch and the altar.--Ezekiel now returns to the court of the priests, and there sees--not about, but as it were (referring to the nature of the vision)--"twenty-five men." These are probably the high priest and the heads of the twenty-four courses, representing the whole body of the priests, as the elders represented the whole body of the people. They were standing between the altar and the Temple, therefore in the most sacred part of the court, and there, turning their backs upon the Temple of the Lord, worshipped the sun. The adoration of the sun, probably the earliest form of false religion, was the especial worship of Persia, but had been long since practised by the kings and people of Judah (2Kings 23:5; 2Kings 23:11). Thus all classes of the nation are seen to be involved in common sin; and the priests particularly, the especial guardians of true religion, are found practising this sin under circumstances of peculiar insult to God. That the "chief priests" did pollute the sanctuary at this time is expressly asserted in the history at 2Chronicles 36:14.

Verse 16. - He brought me into the inner court. The last and the worst form of desecration follows. It was the "inner court" (Joel 2:17) which, after the exile, was entered only by the priests. During the monarchy, however, it seems to have been accessible to kings and other persons of importance, as in the case of Solomon (1 Kings 8:22, 64; 1 Kings 9:25) in the revolution against Athaliah (2 Kings 11:4-15), and Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:14), and Josiah (2 Kings 23:2). Ezekiel does not say that the men whom he saw were priests, though the number twenty-five suggests that they were taking the place of the high priest and the heads of the twenty-four courses of the priesthood (1 Chronicles 24:4-19), and so symbolized the whole order of the priesthood as the seventy elders represented the laity. In 2 Chronicles 36:14 the chief of the priests is spoken of as having been prominent in "polluting the house of the Lord." They were seen turning their backs to the temple of Jehovah, i.e. the sanctuary. The very act was symbolical of their apostasy (2 Chronicles 29:6; Isaiah 1:4; Jeremiah 7:24). And they did this in order that they might look to the east and worship the rising sun. That, and not the temple (Daniel 6:10), was the Kiblah of their adoration. The sun worship here appears to have had a Persian character, as being offered to the sun itself, and not to Baal, as a solar god. Of such a worship we have traces in Deuteronomy 4:19; Deuteronomy 17:3; Job 31:26; 2 Kings 23:5, 11.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So He brought
וַיָּבֵ֣א (way·yā·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

me to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the inner
הַפְּנִימִית֒ (hap·pə·nî·mîṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 6442: Interior

court
חֲצַ֣ר (ḥă·ṣar)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD,
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and there
וְהִנֵּה־ (wə·hin·nêh-)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

at the entrance
פֶ֜תַח (p̄e·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

to the temple
הֵיכַ֣ל (hê·ḵal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

between
בֵּ֤ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the portico
הָֽאוּלָם֙ (hā·’ū·lām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 197: A vestibule

and the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

were about twenty-five
כְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים (kə·‘eś·rîm)
Preposition-k | Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

men
אִ֑ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

with their backs
אֲחֹ֨רֵיהֶ֜ם (’ă·ḥō·rê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 268: The hinder part, behind, backward, the West

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the temple
הֵיכַ֤ל (hê·ḵal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

of the LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and their faces
וּפְנֵיהֶ֣ם (ū·p̄ə·nê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

toward the east;
קֵ֔דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

and they
וְהֵ֛מָּה (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

were bowing to the east
קֵ֖דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

in worship
מִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֥ם (miš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯem)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

of the sun.
לַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (laš·šā·meš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:16 He brought me into the inner court (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
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