Ezekiel 8:17
Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.
Original Language Analysis
הֲרָאִ֣יתָ
unto me Hast thou seen
H7200
הֲרָאִ֣יתָ
unto me Hast thou seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 27
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בֶן
this O son
H1121
בֶן
this O son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אָדָם֒
of man
H120
אָדָם֒
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
5 of 27
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
הֲנָקֵל֙
Is it a light thing
H7043
הֲנָקֵל֙
Is it a light thing
Strong's:
H7043
Word #:
6 of 27
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)
לְבֵ֣ית
to the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
to the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 27
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
8 of 27
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
עָֽשׂוּ
that they commit
H6213
עָֽשׂוּ
that they commit
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
9 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתּוֹעֵב֖וֹת
the abominations
H8441
הַתּוֹעֵב֖וֹת
the abominations
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
11 of 27
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָֽשׂוּ
that they commit
H6213
עָֽשׂוּ
that they commit
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָלְא֨וּ
here for they have filled
H4390
מָלְא֨וּ
here for they have filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
16 of 27
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חָמָ֗ס
with violence
H2555
חָמָ֗ס
with violence
Strong's:
H2555
Word #:
19 of 27
violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙
and have returned
H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֙בוּ֙
and have returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
20 of 27
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי
to provoke me to anger
H3707
לְהַכְעִיסֵ֔נִי
to provoke me to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
21 of 27
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
שֹׁלְחִ֥ים
and lo they put
H7971
שֹׁלְחִ֥ים
and lo they put
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
23 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Ezekiel 9:9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.Ezekiel 7:23Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.Jeremiah 6:7As a fountain casteth out her waters, so she casteth out her wickedness: violence and spoil is heard in her; before me continually is grief and wounds.Amos 3:10For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.Micah 2:2And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
Historical Context
Pre-exilic Judah (592 BC) combined false worship with social oppression—a deadly combination prophets repeatedly condemned. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and Micah all indicted this hypocrisy: elaborate religious ceremonies alongside exploitation of vulnerable. God rejects worship divorced from justice (Isaiah 1:11-17). The temple's corruption extended beyond ritual to ethical failure, filling the land with violence. This comprehensive rebellion necessitated comprehensive judgment. The pattern warns against divorcing orthodoxy from orthopraxy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does combining false worship with social injustice compound guilt?
- What modern examples exist of religious activity divorced from ethical integrity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger." God's rhetorical questions emphasize sin's gravity. The phrase "is it a light thing" rebukes casual attitude toward covenant violation. Idolatry combined with violence (social injustice) compounds guilt. True religion requires both right worship and right conduct. Divorcing theology from ethics betrays covenant relationship. God demands comprehensive obedience: loving Him supremely and neighbors justly.