Ezekiel 8:14
Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz.
Then He brought me
This phrase indicates divine guidance, as Ezekiel is led by God Himself. The Hebrew root for "brought" is "בּוֹא" (bo), which often signifies coming or bringing. This underscores the active role of God in revealing the spiritual state of Israel to Ezekiel. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire to communicate with His prophets, guiding them to understand and convey His messages.

to the entrance of the north gate
The north gate of the temple holds significance as it was one of the main entrances, symbolizing access to the sacred space. In ancient Israel, the temple was the center of worship and the presence of God. The north gate, in particular, may have been associated with judgment or divine revelation, as it was a place where significant visions and messages were often received. This setting emphasizes the gravity of the vision Ezekiel is about to witness.

of the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was considered the dwelling place of God's presence on earth. The Hebrew term "בֵּית יְהוָה" (Beit Yahweh) highlights the sanctity and holiness of this location. The temple was meant to be a place of pure worship, making the idolatrous practices Ezekiel witnesses even more egregious.

and I saw women sitting there
The presence of women in this context is significant. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, women often played roles in religious rituals, sometimes involving mourning or lamentation. The Hebrew word "יֹשְׁבוֹת" (yoshevot) indicates that they were settled or dwelling there, suggesting a deliberate and ongoing practice rather than a spontaneous act. This highlights the entrenched nature of the idolatry Ezekiel is witnessing.

weeping for Tammuz
Tammuz was a Mesopotamian deity associated with fertility and vegetation, whose death and rebirth were celebrated in annual rituals. The Hebrew term "תַּמּוּז" (Tammuz) reflects the syncretism that had infiltrated Israelite worship, as they adopted pagan practices. The weeping signifies mourning for Tammuz's death, a ritual that was contrary to the worship of Yahweh. This idolatry within the temple precincts represents a profound spiritual adultery, highlighting the Israelites' departure from their covenant with God. The practice of weeping for Tammuz in the temple underscores the depth of Israel's apostasy and serves as a call to repentance and return to true worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God, Ezekiel is the one receiving the vision. He is tasked with conveying God's messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile.

2. The North Gate
This is a specific location within the temple complex in Jerusalem. The north gate was one of the main entrances and held significant importance in temple activities.

3. Women Weeping
The women mentioned are engaged in a ritual mourning for Tammuz, a practice that was contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

4. Tammuz
A deity from Mesopotamian mythology, associated with fertility and agriculture. The mourning for Tammuz was part of a pagan ritual that had infiltrated Israelite worship.

5. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites, which was meant to be dedicated solely to the worship of Yahweh.
Teaching Points
Idolatry in the Heart
The presence of women weeping for Tammuz in the temple signifies how idolatry can infiltrate even the most sacred spaces. Believers must guard their hearts against allowing anything to take the place of God.

Cultural Influence
The Israelites were influenced by surrounding cultures, leading them to adopt pagan practices. Christians today must be vigilant about the cultural influences that can lead them away from biblical truth.

The Importance of Pure Worship
God desires worship that is pure and undivided. This passage challenges believers to examine their worship practices and ensure they align with Scripture.

Repentance and Reform
Just as the Israelites were called to repent from idolatry, believers are called to continually turn away from sin and seek God's forgiveness and guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the presence of women weeping for Tammuz in the temple reveal about the spiritual state of Israel at the time of Ezekiel's vision?

2. How can we identify and remove modern-day "idols" that may have infiltrated our own lives or worship practices?

3. In what ways does the cultural environment influence our faith, and how can we ensure that our worship remains true to God?

4. How do the reforms of King Josiah, as described in 2 Kings 23, provide a model for addressing idolatry in our own lives?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between cultural norms and biblical truth. How did you navigate that situation, and what did you learn from it?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 7:18
This verse also addresses the idolatrous practices of the Israelites, including the worship of the "queen of heaven," which parallels the syncretism seen in Ezekiel 8:14.

2 Kings 23:5
King Josiah's reforms, which included the removal of idolatrous priests, highlight the ongoing struggle against idolatry in Israel.

1 Kings 14:23-24
Describes the high places and idols that were set up, showing the persistent issue of idolatry among the Israelites.
Weeping for TammuzJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 8:14
Gradual Disclosure of Human SinJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 8:1-16
Man's Provocations of God, and God's Punishment of ManW. Jones Ezekiel 8:14-18
People
Ezekiel, Jaazaniah, Shaphan
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Behold, Bringeth, Door, Entrance, Entry, Gate, Lord's, Mourning, North, Opening, Sat, Seated, Sitting, Tammuz, Towards, Weeping, Women
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 8:14

     4951   month
     8747   false gods
     8769   idolatry, in OT
     8799   polytheism

Ezekiel 8:5-18

     6103   abomination

Ezekiel 8:9-16

     8831   syncretism

Ezekiel 8:12-16

     7471   temples, heathen

Ezekiel 8:14-16

     7442   shrine

Library
Chambers of Imagery
'Then said He unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery!'--EZEKIEL viii. 12. This is part of a vision which came to the prophet in his captivity. He is carried away in imagination from his home amongst the exiles in the East to the Temple of Jerusalem. There he sees in one dreadful series representations of all the forms of idolatry to which the handful that were left in the land were cleaving. There meets
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Message from the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapters ii and iii) "The glory of love is brightest when the glory of self is dim, And they have the most compelled me who most have pointed to Him. They have held me, stirred me, swayed me,--I have hung on their every word, Till I fain would arise and follow, not them, not them,--but their Lord!"[64] Patmos Spells Patience. Patience is strength at its strongest, using all its strength in holding back from doing something. Patience is love at flood pleading with strength to hold steady
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements.
The stay in Cana, though we have no means of determining its length, was probably of only short duration. Perhaps the Sabbath of the same week already found Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth. We will not seek irreverently to lift the veil of sacred silence, which here, as elsewhere, the Gospel-narratives have laid over the Sanctuary of His inner Life. That silence is itself theopneustic, of Divine breathing and inspiration; it is more eloquent than any eloquence, a guarantee of the truthfulness
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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