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)
What's easy to miss is that these "great abominations" are not just offensive to God's holiness, but they actively compel His departure from His own sanctuary. The verse isn't just about what the people are doing, but about the inevitable consequence: God, unable to bear their actions, is forced to withdraw from the very place He had chosen to dwell.
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)
Ezekiel has been whisked away in a vision to the temple in Jerusalem, and God immediately confronts him with the "great abominations" happening there, specifically an idol set up near the altar. This verse is God revealing that these shocking acts are so offensive they are effectively forcing Him away from His sanctuary, and He warns Ezekiel that even worse horrors await his sight. The unfolding vision is designed to show the prophet and the exiles why Jerusalem's destruction is inevitable.
We often think of God's presence as constant and unshakeable. But what if our actions could actually force Him to withdraw?
Ezekiel is witnessing the most horrific idolatry happening right within God's own temple complex. The question God asks, 'do you see what they are doing... that I should go far from my sanctuary?', reveals a devastating truth: God's presence is not a captive of a building or a covenant, but is driven away by sin. These 'great abominations' aren't just personal failings; they are a collective rejection of God's holiness that makes His dwelling among His people impossible. The people felt secure in their temple, but their actions were pushing God's presence away, signaling the impending destruction of that very place they thought protected them.
When you see something terrible, does it feel like the worst it can get? God's message to Ezekiel here is a stark warning: prepare for more.
Ezekiel is shown a deeply disturbing scene of idolatry, and God immediately follows up with, 'But you will see still greater abominations.' This isn't just a linear progression of bad to worse; it's an escalation designed to shock and reveal the depth of Israel's spiritual corruption. Each vision Ezekiel receives is meant to expose the pervasive nature of their sin. It highlights that spiritual decay often doesn't stop at one point; it tends to spiral, revealing even more hidden wickedness. This teaches us that we should never become complacent in our spiritual walk, as there's always a danger of deeper compromise if we aren't vigilant.
Understand the original words
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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.
This vision takes place when Judah's continued defiance and idolatry, even within the sacred temple, had already led God's glory to depart and foreshadowed Jerusalem's imminent destruction by Babylon.
Late 8th Century BC
Hezekiah's religious reforms
King Hezekiah led a significant religious reformation, destroying idols and centralizing worship at the Jerusalem temple. This period aimed to purify Judah's religious practices.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's discovery of the Law
During temple repairs, the Book of the Law was found, leading to a revival under King Josiah. This reign saw a strong push against idolatry and foreign religious practices.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin and thousands of Judeans, including Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marks a severe blow to Judah's sovereignty.
c. 593 BC
Ezekiel's first vision
Ezekiel, in exile in Babylon, receives his inaugural vision of God's glory departing from the Jerusalem temple, signifying God's judgment and abandonment of the city.
c. 592 BC— this verse
Ezekiel sees temple abominations
Ezekiel is transported in a vision to Jerusalem and shown the horrific idolatrous practices occurring even within the temple precincts, prompting God's judgment.
587/586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent temple. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, marking the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
This passage directly follows Ezekiel's vision and describes God's glory departing from the temple, mirroring the idea in Ezekiel 8:6 that their abominations would cause Him to 'go far off'.
Jeremiah 7:11This verse from Jeremiah describes God's house being turned into a 'den of robbers' due to their wickedness, echoing the theme of abominations defiling the sanctuary and leading to judgment.
Psalm 78:58-59This Psalm recounts how Israel's idolatry provoked God's anger and caused Him to forsake His dwelling place, reinforcing the consequence of abominations mentioned in Ezekiel 8:6.
Matthew 21:12-13Jesus cleansing the temple shows a parallel where outward religious practice was corrupted by greed and exploitation, leading Him to declare the place a 'den of robbers,' much like Ezekiel's vision of corrupted worship.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17This New Testament passage emphasizes that believers are the temple of God, and those who defile it (through sin) will be destroyed, highlighting the serious offense of desecrating God's dwelling, whether literal or spiritual.
pulpitEzekiel 8:6: "He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations."
Verse 6. - That I should go far off, etc. The lesson taught was that already implied in the fact that the glorious vision and come to him from the north (Ezekiel 1:4). The temple was already as a God-deserted shrine. His return to it now…
ellicottEzekiel 8:6: "He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations."
(6) That I should go far off from my sanctuary. —In the original this is simply an infinitive, without any subject expressed, “for the removing far off,” and may therefore be understood either of the removing of the people or of the Divin…
What's easy to miss is that these "great abominations" are not just offensive to God's holiness, but they actively compel His departure from His own sanctuary. The verse isn't just about what the people are doing, but about the inevitable consequence: God, unable to bear their actions, is forced to withdraw from the very place He had chosen to dwell.
Ezekiel has been whisked away in a vision to the temple in Jerusalem, and God immediately confronts him with the "great abominations" happening there, specifically an idol set up near the altar. This verse is God revealing that these shocking acts are so offensive they are effectively forcing Him away from His sanctuary, and He warns Ezekiel that even worse horrors await his sight. The unfolding vision is designed to show the prophet and the exiles why Jerusalem's destruction is inevitable.
Ezekiel has been whisked away in a vision to the temple in Jerusalem, and God immediately confronts him with the "great abominations" happening there, specifically an idol set up near the altar. This verse is God revealing that these shocking acts are so offensive they are effectively forcing Him away from His sanctuary, and He warns Ezekiel that even worse horrors await his sight. The unfolding vision is designed to show the prophet and the exiles why Jerusalem's destruction is inevitable.
"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.”" — What's easy to miss is that these "great abominations" are not just offensive to God's holiness, but they actively compel His departure from His own sanctuary. The verse isn't just about what the p…
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Last reviewed October 2026