Ezekiel 8:5
New International Version
Then he said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy.

New Living Translation
Then the LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” So I looked, and there to the north, beside the entrance to the gate near the altar, stood the idol that had made the LORD so jealous.

English Standard Version
Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.

Berean Standard Bible
“Son of man,” He said to me, “now lift up your eyes to the north.” So I lifted up my eyes to the north, and in the entrance north of the Altar Gate I saw this idol of jealousy.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then He said to me, “Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north.” So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.

New American Standard Bible
Then He said to me, “Son of man, raise your eyes now toward the north.” So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol of jealousy at the entrance.

NASB 1995
Then He said to me, “Son of man, raise your eyes now toward the north.” So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol of jealousy at the entrance.

NASB 1977
Then He said to me, “Son of man, raise your eyes, now, toward the north.” So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol of jealousy at the entrance.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He said to me, “Son of man, raise your eyes now toward the north.” So I raised my eyes toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this figure of jealousy at the entrance.

Amplified Bible
Then He said to me, “Son of man, now raise your eyes toward the north.” So I looked toward the north, and behold, to the north of the altar gate was this idol (image) of jealousy at the entrance.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” I looked to the north, and there was this offensive statue north of the Altar Gate, at the entrance.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD said to me, “Son of man, look toward the north.” I looked to the north, and there was this offensive statue north of the altar gate, at the entrance.

American Standard Version
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 of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

Contemporary English Version
God said to me, "Ezekiel, son of man, look north." And when I did, I saw that repulsive idol by the altar near the gate.

English Revised Version
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 of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God said to me, "Son of man, look toward the north." So I looked toward the north, and there in the entrance to the north gate beside the altar, I saw the idol that stirs up [God's] anger.

Good News Translation
God said to me, "Mortal man, look toward the north." I looked, and there near the altar by the entrance of the gateway I saw the idol that was an outrage to God.

International Standard Version
Then he told me, "Son of Man, look up toward the north." So I looked off toward the north. Suddenly, off toward the north, facing the gate that led to the altar, the image that provoked God's jealousy was standing near the entrance.

Majority Standard Bible
?Son of man,? He said to me, ?now lift up your eyes to the north.? So I lifted up my eyes to the north, and in the entrance north of the Altar Gate I saw this idol of jealousy.

NET Bible
He said to me, "Son of man, look up toward the north." So I looked up toward the north, and I noticed to the north of the altar gate was this statue of jealousy at the entrance.

New Heart English Bible
Then he said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes now the way toward the north." So I lifted up my eyes the way toward the north, and see, northward of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he to me, Son of man, lift up thy eyes now the way towards the north. So I lifted up my eyes the way towards the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

World English Bible
Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now the way toward the north.” So I lifted up my eyes the way toward the north, and saw, northward of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He says to me, “Son of man, now lift up your eyes [toward] the way of the north.” And I lift up my eyes [toward] the way of the north, and behold, on the north of the gate of the altar [is] this figure of jealousy, at the entrance.

Young's Literal Translation
And He saith unto me, 'Son of man, lift up, I pray thee, thine eyes the way of the north.' And I lift up mine eyes the way of the north, and lo, on the north of the gate of the altar this figure of jealousy, at the entrance.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said to me, Son of man, lift up now thine eyes the way of the north. And I lifter up mine eyes the way of the north, and behold, from the north at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entrance.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to me: Son of man, lift up thy eyes towards the way of the north. And I lifted up my eyes towards the way of the north: and behold on the north side of the gate of the altar the idol of jealousy in the very entry.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to me: “Son of man, lift up your eyes to the way of the north.” And I lifted up my eyes to the way of the north. And behold, from the north of the gate of the altar was the idol of rivalry, at the same entrance.

New American Bible
He said to me: Son of man, lift your eyes to the north! I looked to the north and there in the entry north of the altar gate was this statue of jealousy.

New Revised Standard Version
Then God said to me, “O mortal, lift up your eyes now in the direction of the north.” So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to me, Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the way of the north. So I lifted up my eyes toward the way of the north, and behold, on the north side of the east gate stood the statue of lust in the entrance.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: “Son of man, lift your eyes to the road of the north.” And I lifted my eyes to the road north, and behold, from the north side of the eastern gate stood the statue of lust at its entrance
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 of the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes toward the north, and, behold, I looked from the north toward the eastern gate.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of Idolatry in the Temple
4And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain. 5“Son of man,” He said to me, “now lift up your eyes to the north.” So I lifted up my eyes to the north, and in the entrance north of the Altar Gate I saw this idol of jealousy. 6“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what they are doing—the great abominations that the house of Israel is committing—to drive Me far from My sanctuary? Yet you will see even greater abominations.”…

Cross References
2 Kings 21:7
Manasseh even took the carved Asherah pole he had made and set it up in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.

2 Chronicles 33:7
Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name forever.

Jeremiah 7:30
For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

Jeremiah 32:34
They have placed their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it.

1 Kings 14:23
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

2 Kings 23:6
He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people.

Deuteronomy 16:21-22
Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, / and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.

Isaiah 44:14-15
He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

2 Kings 17:10
They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

2 Chronicles 28:24
Then Ahaz gathered up the articles of the house of God, cut them into pieces, shut the doors of the house of the LORD, and set up altars of his own on every street corner in Jerusalem.

Acts 17:16
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

Romans 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

2 Corinthians 6:16
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.


Treasury of Scripture

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

lift

Jeremiah 3:2
Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

Zechariah 5:5-11
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth…

at the

Ezekiel 8:3
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.

Psalm 48:2
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

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Altar Direction Entrance Entry Eyes Gate Idol Image Jealousy Lift North Northward Raise Raised Way
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Altar Direction Entrance Entry Eyes Gate Idol Image Jealousy Lift North Northward Raise Raised Way
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














Son of man
This phrase is a frequent address to Ezekiel, emphasizing his humanity and role as a representative of the people. In Hebrew, "ben adam" underscores the prophet's connection to mankind, highlighting the contrast between the divine messages he receives and his human nature. It serves as a reminder of the humility and responsibility inherent in his prophetic mission.

He said to me
This indicates direct communication from God to Ezekiel. The personal nature of this divine interaction underscores the intimate relationship between God and His prophets. It reflects the biblical theme of God choosing specific individuals to convey His messages, emphasizing the importance of obedience and attentiveness to God's voice.

look toward the north
The direction north is significant in biblical texts, often associated with judgment and invasion, as enemies of Israel typically came from the north. In this context, it suggests a revelation of something ominous or idolatrous, aligning with the broader theme of impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness.

So I looked
Ezekiel's immediate response to God's command demonstrates his obedience and readiness to receive divine revelation. This action reflects the prophet's role as a seer, one who is called to witness and report God's messages to the people, regardless of their nature.

in the entrance north of the gate of the altar
This location is significant as it situates the vision within the temple precincts, a place meant for worship and sacrifice to Yahweh. The mention of the altar, central to Israelite worship, highlights the gravity of the idolatry being revealed. It underscores the desecration of sacred space, a theme that resonates with the broader narrative of Israel's spiritual adultery.

I saw this idol of jealousy
The "idol of jealousy" refers to an object of worship that provokes God's righteous anger. In Hebrew, the term "semel ha-qin'ah" suggests an image that incites divine jealousy, a powerful anthropomorphic expression of God's exclusive claim to worship. This phrase encapsulates the central issue of idolatry, which is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness and the cause of their impending judgment.

(5) The way toward the north.--This shows that Ezekiel in his vision was within the court of the priests, as otherwise he could not have looked toward the north to see the idol in the north gate. He had already seen this; but now his attention is directed to it particularly. It was not enough that he should see it; it was to be especially pointed out as a part of the reason for the Divine judgments. The expression, "Gate of the altar," may find an additional explanation in the fact mentioned in 2Kings 16:14, that Ahaz removed the altar towards the north, and thus would have placed it very near this gate.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of man,”
אָדָ֕ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

He said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“now
נָ֥א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

lift up
שָׂא־ (śā-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

your eyes
עֵינֶ֖יךָ (‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

to
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the north.”
צָפ֑וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

So I lifted up
וָאֶשָּׂ֤א (wā·’eś·śā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

my eyes
עֵינַי֙ (‘ê·nay)
Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

to
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the north,
צָפ֔וֹנָה (ṣā·p̄ō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

and in the entrance
בַּבִּאָֽה׃ (bab·bi·’āh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 872: An entrance to a, building

north
מִצָּפוֹן֙ (miṣ·ṣā·p̄ō·wn)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

of the gate
לְשַׁ֣עַר (lə·ša·‘ar)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

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

I saw
וְהִנֵּ֤ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

this
הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

idol
סֵ֛מֶל (sê·mel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5566: An image, statue

of jealousy.
הַקִּנְאָ֥ה (haq·qin·’āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7068: Ardor, zeal, jealousy


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OT Prophets: Ezekiel 8:5 Then said he to me Son (Ezek. Eze Ezk)
Ezekiel 8:4
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