What's easy to miss is that the "image of jealousy" isn't just a random idol; it's placed right at the "gate of the altar" and in the "entry." This wasn't a hidden sin but a blatant, brazen affront to God's presence and worship, deliberately situated where it would provoke Him most severely.
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. And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God directs Ezekiel to look north within the temple complex, specifically at the gate leading to the altar, where he is to witness an "image of jealousy." This command comes right after Ezekiel has seen other abominations within the temple, highlighting this particular idol as a focal point of their rebellion. The placement of this idol near the altar, a place of sacred worship, emphasizes the audacious nature of their idolatry.
Ezekiel is in a vision, brought to Jerusalem. Why does God explicitly tell him where to look, and why is that direction so important?
God Directs Ezekiel's Vision
God doesn't just let Ezekiel stumble upon the scene; He commands him: "lift up your eyes now toward the north." This isn't a casual suggestion, but a divine directive. It underscores that what Ezekiel is about to see isn't an accident, but something God wants him to witness firsthand. The prophetic vision is actively guided by the Lord Himself, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. God is orchestrating this revelation to ensure Ezekiel sees the full extent of the people's rebellion.
Obedience in Vision
The text immediately follows with Ezekiel's response: "So I lifted up my eyes..." This shows his immediate and unquestioning obedience, even in a visionary state. It mirrors the obedience God desires from His people in their daily lives. When God reveals something to us, whether it's a truth in Scripture or a reality in our lives, our response is to be one of attentiveness and compliance.
What's so significant about this idol being called the 'image of jealousy,' and why is its location at the 'gate of the altar' so provocative?
The Heart of God's Jealousy
This idol is explicitly named the "image of jealousy." This isn't just a label; it points to the core offense. God's "jealousy" (a holy and righteous anger) is provoked when His people, whom He has set apart for Himself, turn their affections and worship to other gods. This idol represents a direct betrayal of the covenant relationship God has with His people. It's not merely a cultural artifact, but a symbol that stirs up God's righteous indignation because it usurps His rightful place.
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Proximity to the Altar
The location of this idol is crucial. It's found "northward at the gate of the altar." The altar was the central place of worship, where sacrifices were made to atone for sin and where God's presence was symbolically met. Placing an idol right at the entrance to this sacred space, particularly on the north side (sometimes associated with sacrificial practices), was an audacious act of defiance. It was as if they were flaunting their idolatry directly in God's face, polluting the very place meant for His worship. This proximity magnifies the insult, showing a complete disregard for God and His holiness.
Understand the original words
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A term used repeatedly in Ezekiel to signify the prophet’s human frailty and his status as a mere mortal creature before the infinite, transcendent Creator.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place of sacrifice, specifically designed for the offering of animals or incense to appease, worship, or approach God, serving as a point of intersection between the divine and human.
ben-adam · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title used frequently in Ezekiel, emphasizing the prophet's humanity and frailty in contrast to the majesty and holiness of God. It highlights his role as a representative of mankind before God.
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Actions, objects, or practices that are morally disgusting and detestable to God. In the Old Testament, it is frequently used to describe idolatry and activities that violate the covenant with God.
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
A place set apart for the worship of God, typically referring to the Temple in Jerusalem. It represents the focal point of God's presence among His people.
yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the religious and political nation descended from Jacob. It denotes the covenant people whom God chose to be a light to the nations but who frequently fell into rebellion.
Ezekiel's vision vividly displays the idolatrous practices that defiled God's Temple, bringing judgment. The placement of these idols, especially near the altar and the northern gate—a location altered by King Ahaz for idolatrous purposes—underscores the depth of Israel's rebellion and the audacity of their sin directly before God's presence.
c. 705-642 BC
King Manasseh's Idolatry
During his long and wicked reign, King Manasseh erected idols in the Temple and led Judah into widespread idolatry, deeply angering God.
c. 732-726 BC
King Ahaz's Altar
King Ahaz brought an altar from Damascus and placed it in the Temple, even moving the original bronze altar to the north side of this new altar, displacing worship and setting the stage for further corruption.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, first invades Judah and deports King Jehoiachin and many of the elite to Babylon. Ezekiel is among them.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining population.
c. 592 BC— this verse
Ezekiel's Vision of Temple Abominations
While in exile in Babylon, Ezekiel receives a series of visions showing him the spiritual corruption within the Jerusalem Temple, revealing the reasons for God's judgment.
This passage directly relates to the 'image of jealousy' by condemning the creation and worship of idols, establishing the biblical basis for why such an image would provoke God's jealousy and anger.
Deuteronomy 4:24This verse describes God as a 'jealous God,' providing the theological context for the 'image of jealousy' and explaining why it's an offense that stirs God's righteous anger and judgment.
Jeremiah 7:30Similar to Ezekiel's vision, Jeremiah prophesies about abominations within the Jerusalem temple, specifically mentioning idols set up there, highlighting the recurring theme of defilement within God's sacred space.
Psalm 78:58This Psalm recounts Israel's repeated provocation of God with their idols, mirroring the context of Ezekiel 8 where the people's idolatry, symbolized by the image, leads to God's distress and judgment.
2 Kings 21:7This passage describes King Manasseh setting up an idol in the very temple, a historical event that directly corresponds to the abominations Ezekiel witnesses, showing a pattern of deep sin within the sanctuary.
calvinEzekiel 8:5: "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."
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.
Et dixit ad me, Fib hominis, tolle agedurn…
gillEzekiel 8:5: "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."
Then said he unto me, son of man,.... That is, the glorious Person described above in this vision, the glorious God of Israel, seen by the prophet in the temple, he spoke unto him, calling him son of man; a name by which he often goes in this prophecy: lift up thine…
What's easy to miss is that the "image of jealousy" isn't just a random idol; it's placed right at the "gate of the altar" and in the "entry." This wasn't a hidden sin but a blatant, brazen affront to God's presence and worship, deliberately situated where it would provoke Him most severely.
God directs Ezekiel to look north within the temple complex, specifically at the gate leading to the altar, where he is to witness an "image of jealousy." This command comes right after Ezekiel has seen other abominations within the temple, highlighting this particular idol as a focal point of their rebellion. The placement of this idol near the altar, a place of sacred worship, emphasizes the audacious nature of their idolatry.
God directs Ezekiel to look north within the temple complex, specifically at the gate leading to the altar, where he is to witness an "image of jealousy." This command comes right after Ezekiel has seen other abominations within the temple, highlighting this particular idol as a focal point of their rebellion. The placement of this idol near the altar, a place of sacred worship, emphasizes the audacious nature of their idolatry.
"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. And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see…" — What's easy to miss is that the "image of jealousy" isn't just a random idol; it's placed right at the "gate of the altar" and in the "entry." This wasn't a hidden sin but a blatant, brazen affront t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
