Ezekiel 22:8
Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths.
Original Language Analysis
קָדָשַׁ֖י
mine holy things
H6944
קָדָשַׁ֖י
mine holy things
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
1 of 5
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 5
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Ezekiel 20:13But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.Ezekiel 20:24Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.Ezekiel 22:26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.Ezekiel 20:21Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.Leviticus 19:30Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.Malachi 1:12But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
Historical Context
During the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah (609-586 BC), Jerusalem's temple worship became corrupted by syncretism. Despite Josiah's earlier reforms (621 BC), the people reverted to treating sacred rituals as mere formality while pursuing political alliances and economic gain. Sabbath violations indicated treating God's covenant sign as optional, demonstrating the same casual approach to divine law that characterized Canaanite culture.
Questions for Reflection
- How do modern believers 'despise holy things' by treating sacred realities casually or instrumentally?
- What does Sabbath-breaking reveal about trust in divine provision versus self-sufficiency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths. Qodashay bazit (קָדָשַׁי בָּזִית), 'my holy things you despised,' refers to sacrifices, offerings, and sacred objects treated with contempt. Shabbetotay chillalt (שַׁבְּתֹתַי חִלָּלְתְּ), 'my sabbaths you profaned,' indicates violating the covenant sign that distinguished Israel from nations (Exodus 31:13-17).
Profaning Sabbath wasn't merely breaking a rule but denying God's creational pattern and redemptive rhythm. The Sabbath testified that Yahweh, not human productivity, sustains life. Despising 'holy things' showed Jerusalem valued political expediency over divine prescription—precisely the corruption that made her indistinguishable from pagan cities.