Ezekiel 20:7-8
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God doesn't just tell them to get rid of idols; He calls them "the abominations of your eyes," highlighting that their sin wasn't just a practice, but a twisted desire and fascination they looked at with longing. This emphasizes that idolatry is rooted in our desires and what we choose to fixate on, rather than just outward actions.
And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.’ But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. None of them cast away the detestable things their eyes feasted on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. “Then I said I would pour out my wrath upon them and spend my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is recounting the history of Israel, reminding them of their covenant relationship that began when He chose them and brought them out of Egypt. He recounts how, even in Egypt, they were already drawn to the idolatrous practices around them and pleads with them to cast away those "detestable things" and not to defile themselves with Egyptian idols. This is set against the backdrop of their ongoing rebellion and disobedience, which God will address further in the chapter.
God calls Israel to cast away 'the abominations of your eyes.' What does that mean for us today?
This phrase points to more than just outward actions; it's about what we desire and focus on.
Why does God specifically warn against the 'idols of Egypt'? What's so dangerous about that particular influence?
Egypt represented a powerful, pervasive culture that deeply influenced Israel. God's warning is a call to separate from that spiritual pollution.
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Understand the original words
shiqquts · Hebrew Noun
Anything that is loathsome, repulsive, or morally abhorrent to God, particularly objects or practices associated with idolatry and false worship.
tame' · Hebrew Verb
To make ceremonially or morally impure; to render unclean through contact with sin, idolatry, or forbidden practices, thus separating oneself from God's holiness.
gillulim · Hebrew Noun
A representation of a false god, or any object, person, or priority that replaces the true God in one's heart and worship. They are considered empty and powerless, leading to spiritual ruin.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel; it signifies His eternal existence, His unchanging nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
marah · Hebrew Verb
Willful disobedience or opposition against God’s authority and commands. It represents an active rejection of God's sovereignty and a refusal to submit to His will.
chemah · Hebrew Noun
The intense, righteous reaction of God against sin and disobedience. It is a manifestation of His holiness and justice, directed at those who persist in turning away from Him.
The verse comes from Ezekiel's prophecy during the Babylonian exile. He’s reminding the exiled Israelites of their persistent idolatry, even back to their time in Egypt, to underscore why God's judgment (the exile) was just. It shows how deeply ingrained these 'abominations' had become, leading them to forsake the very God who delivered them.
c. 15th-13th century BC
Israelites Sojourn in Egypt
The people of Israel lived in Egypt for centuries, eventually becoming enslaved. During this time, they were exposed to and, according to the prophets, influenced by Egyptian religious practices and idolatry.
c. 1446 BC or 1290 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God dramatically delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses. This event was foundational to their identity as God's chosen people, yet the prophetic tradition suggests they carried ingrained idolatrous practices with them.
c. 1446-1406 BC
Wilderness Wanderings and Law Given
In the wilderness after the Exodus, God gave the Israelites His laws and ordinances. This period also saw repeated instances of Israelite rebellion and idolatry, such as the incident with the golden calf, revealing their deep-seated susceptibility to false worship.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
The Babylonian Empire began deporting Jewish leaders and skilled workers from Jerusalem to Babylon. This marked the beginning of Judah's downfall and the exile.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, ending the southern kingdom of Judah. The majority of the remaining population was exiled to Babylon.
This passage directly shows the Israelites falling into idolatry by fashioning a golden calf, reflecting the 'idols of Egypt' mentioned in Ezekiel, demonstrating their ongoing struggle with the command to forsake them.
Joshua 24:14Joshua calls the Israelites to 'fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly' and to 'put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt,' directly echoing Ezekiel's charge to abandon Egyptian idols.
Leviticus 18:3This verse warns the Israelites against practicing 'the abominations of the land of Egypt' where they lived, setting the stage for Ezekiel's specific command to cast them away.
1 Corinthians 10:14Paul exhorts believers to 'flee from idolatry,' drawing a parallel to the Israelites' experiences and emphasizing that their participation in idol worship was a form of spiritual adultery.
Nehemiah 9:18The prayer recounts how the Israelites, even after God's deliverance, made 'a molten image' and worshiped it, showing a recurring pattern of turning to idols despite God's clear commands and faithfulness.
clarkeEzekiel 20:7: "Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."
Cast ye away - the abominations - Put away all your idols; those incentives to idolatry that ye have looked on with delight.
calvinEzekiel 20:5-8: "And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;"
- And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand…
God doesn't just tell them to get rid of idols; He calls them "the abominations of your eyes," highlighting that their sin wasn't just a practice, but a twisted desire and fascination they looked at with longing. This emphasizes that idolatry is rooted in our desires and what we choose to fixate on, rather than just outward actions.
God is recounting the history of Israel, reminding them of their covenant relationship that began when He chose them and brought them out of Egypt. He recounts how, even in Egypt, they were already drawn to the idolatrous practices around them and pleads with them to cast away those "detestable things" and not to defile themselves with Egyptian idols. This is set against the backdrop of their ongoing rebellion and disobedience, which God will address further in the chapter.
God is recounting the history of Israel, reminding them of their covenant relationship that began when He chose them and brought them out of Egypt. He recounts how, even in Egypt, they were already drawn to the idolatrous practices around them and pleads with them to cast away those "detestable things" and not to defile themselves with Egyptian idols. This is set against the backdrop of their ongoing rebellion and disobedience, which God will address further in the chapter.
"And I said to them, ‘Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.’ But they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me. No…" — God doesn't just tell them to get rid of idols; He calls them "the abominations of your eyes," highlighting that their sin wasn't just a practice, but a twisted desire and fascination they looked a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
