SUMMARY
In Ezekiel’s second vision, the prophet sees the abominations in and around the TempleThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More in Jerusalem.
ANALYSIS
EzekielEzekiel was a priest and prophet who was raised in Jerusalem and exiled to Babylon in 597 BCE. More sees 4 abominations. First, he sees the image of jealousy, or better, the image that provokes jealousy/rage, likely a human or divine image. The passage does not identify the image clearly. Second, he sees “idols of the house of Israel,” that is, images on the walls. Third, he sees women weeping for Tammuz, a Babylonian god. Finally, he sees 25 men facing east and worshiping the sun. Taken together, this idolatry is unacceptable and the reason for the coming destruction of the Temple. Ezekiel’s tour of this area and these abominations stand as a condemnation of these practices and serve to explain the departure of God’s glory later in this vision.
